Cooking School Lesson

Poultry Fundamentals

Lesson Graduates

Jim C Devon T Robin  M Doris L Rick L Debbie G Jill B Zeb K Dan V Tangela H Amanda M Stephanie D Ashley A Gregery B Joshua S Jamie R Gerald G Giuseppe D Bianca N Lauren M William B Nancy B Amanda C James M Patricia D Jennifer R Nelson P Carmen P Amanda O Jacob C Alex N Tyler M Sharlene S Brittany P Brenda L Chris C Hugo S Jean W Jean M Ajay S Melissa J Victor M

Lesson completed by:
2586 students

Lesson Snapshot:

  • 1 instructional video
  • 27 practice recipes
  • 63 tip and technique videos
  • interactive quiz

Lesson Description & Goals

Whether you choose to cook turkey, chicken, quail, Cornish hen or duck (or any other type of poultry), it’s important to realize that each bird has relatively the same anatomy.

Once you understand that each part – the legs, the breasts and the wings – is composed of different muscle tissue, you can begin to understand which cooking methods are best suited to each part – no matter which type of bird you choose to cook.

In this lesson, you will learn about the basic anatomy of poultry and the difference between white and dark meat. You will also learn which cooking methods are best suited to each part of poultry. Finally, you will learn how to buy, store and thaw poultry.

  • Explain the difference between white and dark meat
  • Understand the basic muscle composition of poultry legs and identify which cooking methods are best suited
  • Understand the basic muscle composition of poultry breasts and identify which cooking methods are best suited
  • Understand the basic muscle composition of poultry wings and identify which cooking methods are best suited
  • Identify fresh poultry
  • Store and thaw poultry safely

Lesson Practice Recipes

This lesson includes access to the following text & instructional video recipes

Malaysian Chicken Satays

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

These satays are quick to make and full of flavor. They are great as an appetizer or as an entrée.

Comments: 12 Views: 9507 Success: 96%

Chicken Cashew

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

Delicious moist chicken with cashews, peppers, onions, garlic and a rich Asian-inspired sauce.

Comments: 43 Views: 18456 Success: 95%

Almond Coriander Chicken

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

This mild and delicious Indian-influenced chicken dish is finished with ground almonds, thick cream and fresh cilantro.

Comments: 73 Views: 36738 Success: 92%

Chicken Parmigiana | Pollo alla Parmigiana

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

Golden pieces of lightly breaded chicken breast are baked in a homemade tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella cheese.

Comments: 63 Views: 30933 Success: 94%

Chicken Souvlaki | Greek Chicken

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

Cubes of chicken are marinated in red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, oregano and olive oil, and then skewered and gril...

Comments: 33 Views: 24643 Success: 100%

Chicken and Chorizo Rice

by Joe G in Rouxbe Recipes

This Spanish-inspired pilaf is made with chicken, chorizo, tomato, saffron and garlic.

Comments: 38 Views: 21256 Success: 95%

Easy Broccoli and Chicken Stir-Fry

by Kimberley S in Rouxbe Recipes

Tender chicken breast, healthy broccoli and crunchy almonds are tossed together in a light Asian sauce.

Comments: 44 Views: 21747 Success: 95%

Penne Mediterranean

by Kimberley S in Rouxbe Recipes

Penne pasta is tossed with chicken, feta, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms and a light, stock-based sauce.

Comments: 25 Views: 12852 Success: 98%

Lemon Chicken with Pine Nuts and Olives

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

Lemon and chicken are best friends in this recipe and they take pine nuts, olives, and cilantro along for a tasty ride.

Comments: 3 Views: 9994 Success: 96%

Quick Chicken with Tomato-Garlic Compote

by Paul M in Rouxbe Recipes

Pan fried chicken medallions with a rustic tomato-garlic compote.

Comments: 20 Views: 12866 Success: 97%

Greek Chicken

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

This chicken is marinated with garlic, lemon, Dijon mustard, grainy mustard and Greek spices. It is then baked until it is...

Comments: 43 Views: 17813 Success: 93%
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Buffalo Wings Wild n' Spicy

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

This chicken wing recipe is sure to please those that love "Wild Buffalo Wings". Steamed and baked chicken wings are not o...

Comments: 18 Views: 5536 Success: 90%
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Tuscan Braised Chicken

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

Chicken thighs, tomato, garlic, shallots and white wine come together in a big way with this slow-braised dish. Think of i...

Comments: 36 Views: 11509 Success: 100%
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Sichuan-Soy Chicken Wings

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

This chicken wing recipe incorporates some of the flavors of China - Sichuan peppercorns, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and...

Comments: 11 Views: 4655 Success: 100%
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Chicken Vesuvio

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

Braised chicken with herbs, wine, garlic, potatoes, mushroom and peas. This Italian-American dish is a specialty in Chicago.

Comments: 14 Views: 8762 Success: 93%
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Middle Eastern Chicken Pilaf

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

Chicken, rice and exotic spices, such as Aleppo pepper, star anise and turmeric come together perfectly in this easy, inex...

Comments: 6 Views: 5710 Success: 96%

Chicken Marsala

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

Italian Chicken Marsala is simple, flavorful and quick to prepare. Golden, pan-fried chicken breasts are smothered in a de...

Comments: 110 Views: 40210 Success: 95%
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Steamed Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Thyme

by Kimberley S in Rouxbe Recipes

Steamed lemon-garlic chicken with thyme is super healthy and full of flavor.

Comments: 2 Views: 3267 Success: 100%
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Chicken Korma

by Marcelo B in Rouxbe Recipes

Marinated chicken thighs slowly cooked in typical Indian spices.

Comments: 8 Views: 6791 Success: 94%
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Chicken Breasts with Mushroom Cream Sauce

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

Inspired by Julia Child, tender chicken breasts finished with a creamy mushroom sauce. This classic French dish is also kn...

Comments: 20 Views: 29010 Success: 100%

Chicken Saltimbocca

by Tony M in Rouxbe Recipes

Layered with prosciutto, sage and melted cambozola, this tender chicken dish is finished in a sexy sauce.

Comments: 64 Views: 46935 Success: 95%

Lemon-Rosemary Grilled Chicken

by Kimberley S in Rouxbe Recipes

Grilled, flattened chicken breasts are marinated in a combination of fresh lemon juice, rosemary, garlic, chili flakes and...

Comments: 1 Views: 7001 Success: 100%

Turkish Chicken Kebabs

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

These Turkish chicken kebabs are marinated in thick yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, tomato paste, red wine vinegar and the se...

Comments: 4 Views: 6444 Success: 100%

Thai Green Curry with Chicken

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

This fragrant and colorful Thai green curry with chicken is simple to prepare and is a great dish to serve family-style.

Comments: 19 Views: 11867 Success: 100%
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Chicken in Vinegar

by Laura C in Rouxbe Recipes

Laura Calder's tangier version of the classic dish - sautéed chicken in wine - from Burgundy.

Comments: 3 Views: 5593 Success: 0%
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Braised Chicken and Vegetables

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

Chicken thighs cooked with carrots, celery, garlic, white wine and chicken broth. An inexpensive and easy meal, that just ...

Comments: 1 Views: 4395 Success: 96%

Chicken and Dumplings

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

Chicken and dumplings is the ultimate soul-warming dish. Vegetables and chicken are smothered in a silky velouté sauce and...

Comments: 39 Views: 9417 Success: 96%
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Turkey Leg Roulade

Curated from www.foodrepublic.com

Instead of a whole turkey, serve this leg-and-thigh roulade instead. The gravy and roulade can be made ahead of time, whic...

Comments: 0 Views: 695 Success: 100%
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Polletto Alla Diavola | Devil's Chicken

Curated from www.foodrepublic.com

Chicken flavored with a spicy marinade of hot chili flakes, oregano, fresh lemon juice and olive oil. To finish, it's brus...

Comments: 0 Views: 625 Success: 100%
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Beef or Chicken Satays w/ Peanut Sauce

Curated from www.foodrepublic.com

Whether you use beef sirloin or chicken these satays are full of flavor. They are first marinated in mixture of lime zest,...

Comments: 0 Views: 591 Success: 100%

What People are Saying

Paul B
I enjoyed this lesson.
I enjoyed this lesson. Any day you learn something is a day not wasted and I didn't realize a chicken breast does not benefit from braising.