“Poulet” and Beyond: Everything You Need to Know About Chicken in French

Have you ever found yourself in a French restaurant, staring at the menu and wondering what “poulet” means? Or maybe you’re planning a trip to France and want to make sure you can order your favorite chicken dish without embarrassing yourself? Well I’ve been there too and let me tell ya – learning how to say “chicken” in French is more useful than you might think!

As a food blogger who’s spent considerable time traveling through France, I’ve picked up quite a bit of chicken-related vocabulary that I’m excited to share with you today. Whether you’re a language learner, a foodie, or just curious, this comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about chicken in French.

The Basic Translation: Chicken = Poulet

Let’s start with the basics. The most common French word for chicken is:

poulet (pronounced “poo-lay”)

This is the word you’ll see most frequently on menus in recipes and in everyday conversation when referring to chicken meat or a cooked chicken dish. It’s the direct equivalent of “chicken” in English when we’re talking about food.

But French, like any language, has nuances. Depending on the context, there are actually several ways to refer to chicken in French:

• le poulet – chicken (meat or the bird when prepared as food)
• le poussin – chick, young chicken
• froussard – chicken (in the sense of being cowardly)

French Chicken Vocabulary Beyond the Basics

When you’re exploring French cuisine or trying to follow a French recipe, you might encounter these common chicken-related terms:

Parts of the Chicken

Popular Chicken Dishes

• Poulet rôti – Roast chicken
• Poulet frit – Fried chicken
• Poulet grillé – Grilled chicken
• Soupe au poulet / Soupe de poulet – Chicken soup
• Bouillon de poulet – Chicken broth
• Nuggets de poulet – Chicken nuggets

When “Chicken” Isn’t About Food

In English, we sometimes use “chicken” to describe someone who’s cowardly. The French do something similar! If you want to call someone a “chicken” (meaning they’re afraid), you might use:

• froussard – coward, chicken
• poule mouillée – literally “wet hen,” but means a coward or sissy

I remember once trying to explain to my French friend that I was “too chicken” to try escargot on my first visit to Paris. I used the word “poulet” and got some very confused looks! That’s when I learned about “froussard” – a lesson I won’t forget.

Chicken-Related Expressions in French

Just like in English, the French have several expressions involving chickens:

• Avoir la chair de poule – To have goosebumps (literally: to have chicken skin)
• Quand les poules auront des dents – When pigs fly (literally: when chickens have teeth)
• Se coucher avec les poules – To go to bed very early (literally: to go to bed with the chickens)

Real-World Examples and Sentences

To help you get comfortable using these words, here are some example sentences you might use or hear:

• Je voudrais le poulet, s’il vous plaît. – I would like the chicken, please.
• Le poulet rôti est ma spécialité. – Roast chicken is my specialty.
• Je préfère le blanc de poulet. – I prefer chicken breast.
• Tu as peur? Ne sois pas froussard! – Are you afraid? Don’t be a chicken!
• J’ai besoin d’ailes de poulet pour la recette. – I need chicken wings for the recipe.

Ordering Chicken in a French Restaurant

If you’re traveling to France and want to order chicken, here are some phrases that might come in handy:

• Je voudrais commander le poulet, s’il vous plaît. – I would like to order the chicken, please.
• Comment est préparé le poulet? – How is the chicken prepared?
• Le poulet est-il fermier? – Is the chicken free-range?
• Est-ce que le poulet est épicé? – Is the chicken spicy?

French Chicken Dishes You Should Try

France is known for its exquisite cuisine, and they have some absolutely delicious chicken dishes. Here are a few classics you should try:

Coq au Vin

This famous French dish consists of chicken braised with wine, lardons (small pieces of pork fat), mushrooms, and sometimes garlic. The name literally means “rooster in wine.” It’s hearty, rich, and perfect for a cold evening.

Poulet à la Moutarde

Chicken with mustard sauce is a classic French dish that combines tender chicken with a creamy sauce made from Dijon mustard. It’s tangy, savory, and absolutely delicious.

Poulet Basquaise

This colorful dish from the Basque region combines chicken with bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and Espelette pepper. It’s a vibrant, flavorful dish that’s perfect for summer.

Poulet au Citron

Simple yet elegant, this lemon chicken dish is light and refreshing. The chicken is typically roasted with lemon juice, zest, and herbs for a bright flavor profile.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When talking about chicken in French, there are a few common mistakes that non-native speakers often make:

1. Using “poulet” for all contexts – Remember that “poulet” primarily refers to the meat or the bird as food. If you’re talking about a live chicken on a farm, you might use “poule” (hen) or “coq” (rooster) instead.

2. Pronunciation problems – The French “ou” sound in “poulet” doesn’t exist in English. It’s not “poo-LAY” with an English “oo” sound, but rather a tighter, rounder vowel sound unique to French.

3. Gender confusion – “Poulet” is masculine, so it’s “le poulet,” not “la poulet.” This affects all the adjectives and articles that go with it.

Fun Facts About Chickens in French Culture

• France is famous for its “poulet de Bresse” – a specific breed of chicken from the Bresse region that’s considered one of the finest in the world. It’s the only chicken with an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) designation, similar to what fine wines receive!

• The French national symbol is actually a rooster (le coq), not a chicken. It’s a symbol of pride and has been associated with France since the Middle Ages.

• In French school canteens, chicken is often served on Thursdays as part of the traditional weekly menu rotation.

My Personal Experience with French Chicken

I’ll never forget my first time ordering “poulet rôti” at a small bistro in Provence. The server asked if I wanted it “avec des pommes” and I confidently said yes, thinking I was getting chicken with apples. Imagine my surprise when my beautifully roasted chicken arrived surrounded by perfectly golden potatoes! That’s when I learned that “pommes” in this context meant potatoes (pommes de terre), not apples (pommes).

These little language adventures are part of what makes traveling so fun – even when there’s some confusion along the way!

Wrapping Up: Chicken Talk Made Easy

So there you have it – everything you need to know about how to say and use “chicken” in French. From the basic translation (poulet) to chicken parts, dishes, and even idiomatic expressions, you’re now equipped to talk chicken like a pro.

Next time you’re looking at a French menu or trying to follow a French recipe, you’ll know exactly what you’re dealing with when you see “poulet” and its many variations.

Have you had any funny experiences with food translations in another language? Or maybe you have a favorite French chicken dish? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

And remember, don’t be “froussard” about trying out your new French vocabulary – practice makes perfect!

Bon appétit!