Tagged with 'chicken'

At The Cornish Food Box Company, we know that many of our customers think carefully about where their food comes from. For some, this includes concerns about religious slaughter, while for others it’s about animal welfare, stress reduction, and ethical farming practices. We want to be open and transparent about how the meat in our boxes is raised and processed, so you can make informed choices with confidence.

Animal Welfare Comes First
We work closely with trusted local Cornish farmers who share our commitment to high welfare standards. These farms prioritise good husbandry, outdoor access where appropriate, and calm, respectful handling of animals throughout their lives. But welfare doesn’t stop at the farm gate — how animals are transported and slaughtered matters too.

Poultry: Low-Stress, On-Farm Processing
Our poultry is killed on the farm where it is raised. This is an important welfare choice.

Transporting birds over long distances to an abattoir can be stressful for poultry. By carrying out slaughter on farm, we eliminate that journey altogether, allowing birds to remain in familiar surroundings right up to the end.

The birds are humanely killed by electrical stunning (electrocution), which renders them unconscious immediately, followed by removal of the head. This process is designed to minimise fear, distress, and suffering.

Beef, Pork, and Lamb: Fully Stunned Before Slaughter
Our beef, pork, and lamb come from local farms that use nearby, small-scale abattoirs. Keeping journeys short helps reduce stress for the animals.

At these abattoirs, cows, pigs, and sheep are fully stunned prior to slaughter. Stunning ensures the animal is unconscious and unable to feel pain before the final stage of the process takes place. This is a key element of UK animal welfare regulations and something we actively support.

Not Halal or Kosher Slaughter
We understand that religious slaughter is an important consideration for some customers, whether they are seeking it or wishing to avoid it.

The abattoirs used by our local farms are not registered for halal or kosher slaughter, and the meat we supply is not produced using halal or kosher methods. All animals are stunned before slaughter, which differs from traditional halal and kosher practices.

Transparency You Can Trust
We believe ethical food choices start with honest information. Whether your concerns are about animal welfare, religious slaughter, or simply wanting reassurance about how your food is produced, we hope this explanation gives you clarity and peace of mind.

If you ever have questions about our sourcing, farming partners, or welfare standards, we’re always happy to talk. Ethical food is a journey, and we’re proud to walk it alongside our customers.

You can get the taste of Cornwall for yourself by getting a fresh food delivery to your door. By getting your fresh food delivered from Cornish Food Box Company, you're getting it straight from the source, guaranteeing freshness and quality as well as supporting local fishermen, farmers, and a whole community of food producers and contributing to the livelihoods of our rural communities.

With our online ordering and nationwide delivery options, getting your food delivered is convenient and hassle-free, allowing you to enjoy the best of food produced in Cornwall whilst supporting a more sustainable food system that's good for farmers, animal welfare, your health and the environment.

Simple chicken curry recipe which makes the most of delicious thigh meat and uses seasonal vegetables.

Delicious homemade chicken kiev recipe making the most of our free range chicken thighs.

Cooking a whole chicken is not only a delicious way to bring the family together around the dinner table but also a versatile option that provides ample leftovers for subsequent meals. At The Cornish Food Box Company, we celebrate the tradition of home cooking using quality ingredients sourced from local producers. Our simple guide to cooking a whole chicken gives you the cooking times for different sized birds plus tips for the most succulent meat and alternatives to simply roasting your bird.

Roasting

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
Rub the chicken all over with olive oil, salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs or spices.
Place the chicken in a roasting pan and roast for approximately 20 minutes per 500g, plus an extra 20 minutes.
Allow the chicken to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Approx. Cooking Times:

For a small chicken (1.5kg)  - 1hr 20 mins

For a medium chicken (1.8kg) - 1hr 30 mins

For a large chicken (2.4kg) - 2 hrs

If you stuff the chicken cavity with stuffing mix, onion, lemon or other fillings you will need to increase the cooking time slightly.

You know your chicken is cooked when the juices run clear. Cut in to the meat between the breast and the top of the leg to check. If you are using a meat thermometer the meat should reach 70C and stay at that temperature for at least 2 minutes.  

Grilling or Barbecuing

Prepare the grill or barbecue for indirect cooking over medium heat.
Season the chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, and your favorite barbecue rub or marinade.
Place the chicken on the grill away from direct heat and close the lid.
Cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, turning occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).

Slow Cooking 

Place chopped onions, carrots, and celery in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs or spices.
Place the chicken on top of the vegetables and add broth or water until the chicken is partially submerged.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and falling off the bone.

Poaching

In a large pot, combine water, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and herbs such as thyme and parsley.
Bring the water to a simmer and add the whole chicken.
Cover and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Remove the chicken from the pot and allow it to rest for a few minutes before carving.

1. Roast Chicken: Classic Comfort Food with a Twist

Roasting a whole chicken is a time-honored tradition that never fails to impress. This recipe combines the classic roast chicken with Mexican or South American flavours.  To achieve a golden, succulent roast chicken, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Rub the chicken generously with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a Mexican or cajun spice mix ensuring it is rubbed well in to the skin all over the bird. Place the chicken in a roasting pan and roast for approximately 20 minutes per 500g, plus an extra 20 minutes. Allow the chicken to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. For a crispy skin turn up the oven temperature to 220C for the last 15 minutes.

Recipe Idea: Serve roast chicken with roasted potatoes, homemade coleslaw and a crunchy salad for a feast the whole family will enjoy.

2. Chicken Soup: Nourishing and Wholesome

After enjoying a delicious roast chicken dinner, don't let the leftovers go to waste. Use the carcass to make a hearty chicken soup that's perfect for warming up on chilly evenings. Simply simmer the chicken carcass in a large pot of water with onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and herbs for a few hours to create a rich, flavorful broth. Add leftover chicken meat, chopped vegetables, and noodles or rice to make a satisfying soup.

Recipe Idea: Make a classic chicken noodle soup by adding cooked pasta, diced carrots, celery, and peas to the broth. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh parsley for a comforting meal that's perfect for lunch or dinner.

3. Chicken Curry: A Flavourful Twist

Transform leftover chicken into a vibrant and aromatic curry that's sure to please the whole family. Start by sautéing onions, garlic, ginger, and spices such as curry powder, cumin, and turmeric in a large saucepan. Add diced tomatoes, coconut milk, and cooked chicken pieces, then simmer until the flavours meld together. Serve the chicken curry with rice, naan bread, and chutney for a satisfying meal.

Recipe Idea: Try our family-friendly chicken tikka masala recipe by marinating chicken pieces in yogurt and spices before grilling or baking until tender. Serve with basmati rice and naan bread for a delicious Indian-inspired feast.