Many home cooks and foodies are interested in capon chicken as a gourmet ingredient. Its tender, juicy meat and rich, full-bodied flavor make it promise a unique culinary experience compared to regular chicken. However, it can be hard to find capon chicken because it’s not easy to find at your average grocery store. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about capon chicken and give you tips on how to find it and buy it nearby.
What Is Capon Chicken?
First, let’s cover the basics. A capon is a cockerel (young male chicken) that has been surgically altered, typically around 8 weeks old, through a process called caponization. This involves removing the testes, which causes hormonal changes that result in more tender, flavorful meat when the bird reaches full size.
The caponization causes the capon to grow larger than a typical rooster, often reaching 10-12 pounds at maturity compared to the standard 5-6 pounds The altered hormones also increase fat marbling in the meat, enhancing juiciness and flavor. When cooked, capon chicken is renowned for its succulence and rich taste that surpasses typical chicken.
Why Is Capon Chicken Hard To Find?
You won’t find capon chicken breasts or whole capons stocked at your regular supermarket. Because it’s a specialty item requiring extra time and care to produce, capon is rare in commercial poultry production. Most capon chickens come from small farms or specialty breeders committed to raising high-quality, artisanal poultry.
The intricate caponization process is also a deterrent, as it must be performed carefully to avoid harming the young roosters. And since capons grow slower than standard broilers, requiring nearly twice the time to reach full size, they are more expensive to raise. The result is limited availability and higher prices, making capon a premium ingredient.
Where To Buy Capon Chicken
While sourcing capon chicken poses challenges, several avenues exist for locating and purchasing it:
Specialty Butchers
Check with local specialty butchers and meat markets, as they often carry harder-to-find cuts like capon. Developing a relationship with a knowledgeable butcher can help you source special order items. Ask your butcher about their capon availability, especially around the holidays when demand is higher.
Farmers Markets
Visit local farmers markets and ask vendors if they sell capon or can specially order it for you. Farmer’s markets allow you to connect directly with poultry producers and learn about their operations. Obtaining capon straight from a local farm ensures transparency and quality.
Direct From Farms
Research farms in your area that raise capon chicken. In many cases, smaller chicken farms will let people buy directly from them. You may need to buy capon in advance with pre-orders. If you choose whole capons instead of just breasts, you have more options for getting them directly from farms.
Online Mail Order
Several online retailers specialize in delivering premium and hard-to-find meats like capon chicken. Check company reviews and confirm details like shipping methods. Opt for quick, temperature-controlled shipping when ordering perishables like poultry.
Holiday Availability
Even standard grocers may carry capon chicken temporarily during the holidays when demand peaks. Keep an eye out for holiday specialty items and promotions featuring gourmet ingredients like capon. Act fast if you spot capon chicken in the market during peak holiday demand.
How Much Does Capon Chicken Cost?
You can expect to pay more for capon chicken because it needs to be raised carefully and there aren’t many of them. Most whole capons cost between $4 and $6 per pound, but some big birds over 10 pounds can cost more. Capon breasts cost $15-20 per pound on average. Capon chicken is more expensive than regular chicken, which costs $1 to $2 per pound.
Capon Chicken Buying Tips
When sourcing capon chicken, either whole birds or breasts, keep these tips in mind:
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Inspect the flesh for a plump, rounded shape. Avoid slimy skin or foul odors.
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Look for reputable suppliers who can verify the source. Avoid vague labeling.
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Seek birds weighing 7-10+ pounds, with ample fat, for genuine capon.
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For whole capon, look for intact skin without bruising or blemishes.
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Opt for air-chilled, not water-chilled, to prevent absorption of excess water.
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Check the sell-by date and use capon within 1-2 days, or freeze for longer storage.
Time To Try Capon Chicken!
While sourcing capon chicken requires some strategy, the payoff is phenomenal flavor and texture. With the tips in this guide, you can secure this upscale poultry to create indulgent, restaurant-quality meals at home. From roasting whole capons to sautéing boneless breasts, capon chicken promises to be a delicious addition to your culinary repertoire.
Broadleaf Whole Capon, 5 Pound — 6 per case
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Ships FrozenFrozen products are carefully packed with dry ice. Some frozen shipments may be held until the next Monday in our Proprietary Boxes
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Ships Frozen in our Proprietary Boxes
Frozen products are carefully packed with dry ice. Some frozen shipments may be held until the following Monday. Please place product in freezer immediately upon arrival Sold by :
Ready to ship within 6-7 week (s)
- Buy 15 + case s$ 478.95/ caseSave 1.03 %
Ships FrozenFrozen products are carefully packed with dry ice. Some frozen shipments may be held until the next Monday in our Proprietary Boxes
Not eligible for return
Due to the nature of this product, we are currently unable to accept returns.
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FAQ
Do supermarkets sell capons?
Capons are not illegal in the UK and are widely available from butchers and in some quality supermarkets. They have a taste that is far superior to regular chicken.
Can you buy a capon in the US?
Most chickens are raised for commercial purposes, so it can be hard to find a capon unless you can get to an Exotic Meat Market like we can. Experimenting with capon is considered to be well worth the effort by some. Exotic Meat Market offers fresh and frozen Capon.
Is a capon better than a chicken?
Its just a castrated rooster fed on porridge so it’s quite rich in flavour, has more far which makes the meat very tender but still basically just a chicken and cooked the same. Usually they are fresh, any frozen meat loses quality imo.
Do capons still exist?
Capons are produced in France, in several provinces, notably the Gers and Jura regions. They’re only found in Bresse (Chapon de Bresse), where they have their own name to tell them apart from capons from other places.
What is a capon chicken?
A capon is a male chicken that is gelded (that is, castrated) at a young age, and allowed to grow until it reaches between 6 and 12 pounds. Our farmers use traditional surgical methods, rather than the chemical caponization more common in modern farming.
What does Capon chicken taste like?
Capon chicken has a slightly different flavor from regular rooster or hen meat, which is quite gamey. However, you can still prepare it like other chicken dishes, including roasting, braising, frying, or grilling.
Should you buy Capon chicken?
If you are someone who enjoys gourmet poultry, then you might be interested in trying capon chicken. A capon is a castrated rooster that produces tender and flavorful meat. While capons are not as commonly found as other poultry options, there are still places where you can buy them.
Where to find Capon chickens?
If you know where to look for capon chickens—at specialty butcher shops, on local farms, online, or directly from breeders—you can start your quest to get these tasty birds.
Where can I find capons near me?
Reads1.1K If you’re looking for a great source of capons near you, the best place to start is your local farmer’s market. Although capons are a heritage breed of chicken, they can still usually be found in small to medium sized family-owned farmers markets.
When are Capon chickens available?
Capon chickens are usually more readily available during the holiday season, such as Thanksgiving or Christmas when demand for special meats is higher. 10. Can I pre-order capon chickens? Yes, some farms or online retailers may offer the option to pre-order capon chickens, ensuring you receive them when needed. 11.