Are you on the hunt for the legendary “Queen of Poultry” right here in the United States? I’ve spent weeks researching this culinary treasure and I’m here to share everything I’ve discovered about where to buy Bresse chicken in the USA. Spoiler alert it’s complicated, but not impossible!
The Truth About Authentic Bresse Chicken in America
Let’s get one thing straight from the start – true AOC-certified Bresse chicken from France is not available in the United States. This isn’t just me being pessimistic; it’s the reality due to:
- Import restrictions – USDA regulations prohibit importing poultry from France to prevent disease introduction
- Protected designation – The AOC/AOP status legally protects the “Bresse” name for birds raised only in the Bresse region of France
- Strict raising requirements – Authentic Bresse chickens must follow specific guidelines including free-range foraging and the traditional épinage fattening process
But don’t close this tab just yet! While you can’t get the French original, you can find the next best thing – American-raised birds inspired by the Bresse tradition that deliver exceptional quality and flavor.
What Makes Bresse Chicken So Special?
Before we dive into where to find them, let’s understand why people go crazy for these birds:
- Distinctive appearance: White feathers, blue legs, and red combs (resembling the French flag!)
- Unparalleled flavor: Rich, buttery taste with notes of hazelnut and cream
- Higher fat content: Creates exceptional tenderness and succulence
- Traditional raising methods: Free-range foraging, milk and grain supplementation, and the épinage fattening process
- Protected status: The first poultry to receive the prestigious AOC designation
As one chef told me, “Once you taste properly raised Bresse chicken, regular supermarket birds taste like cardboard in comparison!”
American Bresse: The Next Best Thing
Good news! Several American farms have begun raising “American Bresse” or “Bresse-style” chickens using similar methods to the French tradition. While they can’t use the protected Bresse name commercially, these birds offer a comparable culinary experience.
Bresse Farms – A Leading Source
One of the most prominent suppliers of American Bresse chickens is Bresse Farms, located in Pontotoc, Mississippi. They’ve been raising rare breed poultry for over 30 years and specialize in Bresse stock.
What they offer:
- Day-old chicks
- Juvenile birds
- Starter pullets
- Hatching eggs
The farm maintains approximately 1,500 breeders onsite, making them a smaller operation compared to industrial hatcheries, but their focus on quality over quantity is evident. They’re NPIP certified (65-1489) and AI state certified clean by Mississippi.
Their owner, Justin Moss, along with Farm Operations manager Randy Moss, has developed specialized techniques for raising these premium birds You can contact them directly at 662-871-5789 or via email at contact@bressefarmscom.
Other Sources for American Bresse and Bresse-Style Chicken
Beyond Bresse Farms, several other farms across the USA raise heritage breeds similar to Bresse chickens. Here are some top resources:
Notable Farms and Suppliers
- Joyce Farms (NC) – Offers pasture-raised heritage breeds with Global Animal Partnership Step 4 certification
- Gunthorp Farms (IN) – Raises White Bresse and Redbro chickens on pasture
- Green Circle Chicken (IL) – Follows a 100% vegetarian diet approach with pasture rotation
- Baetje Farms (MO) – Specializes in heritage breed chickens raised on rotated pastures
- Liberty Delight Farms (NY) – Raises rare breed chickens with Animal Welfare Approved certification
Washington State Sources
If you’re in the Pacific Northwest these Washington-based breeders specialize in American Bresse
- Ambresse Acres (Port Angeles) – Offers birds from mixed foundation stock, free of recessive white genes
- Winlock American Bresse (Winlock) – Run by Roxanna Willoughby, who has been raising White American Bresse since 2018
Online Directories and Marketplaces
These websites can help you find local farms raising premium poultry:
- Eatwild Farm Directory – A nationwide database of pasture-based farms
- LocalHarvest – Connects consumers with small farms, CSAs, and farmers markets
- D’Artagnan – Ships premium meat nationwide, including specialty poultry
What to Look for When Buying Bresse-Style Chicken
Since you won’t find the actual French Bresse label, here’s what to ask about when searching for the highest quality alternative:
- Raising practices: Look for terms like “pasture-raised” or genuinely “free-range” (not just “cage-free”)
- Heritage breeds: Birds related to or inspired by the Bresse breed
- Feed quality: Farms that use milk products or specific grain mixtures in their feed
- Production scale: Smaller operations often maintain higher standards
- Transparency: Farms willing to discuss their breeding, raising, and processing methods openly
- Certifications: Humane certifications like Animal Welfare Approved can indicate higher standards
I recently visited a small farm in Vermont that raises American Bresse, and the farmer told me, “These birds take twice as long to raise and cost three times more to feed than commercial chickens, but the flavor difference is night and day!”
How Much Will You Pay?
Let’s be honest – premium quality comes at a premium price. Expect to pay:
- $6-12 per pound for pasture-raised Bresse-style chicken (compared to $2-3 for factory-farmed birds)
- $5-25 for hatching eggs, depending on the seller and quantity
- $5-10 per chick for day-old American Bresse chicks
- $15-30 for juvenile birds
The price reflects the higher costs associated with traditional, humane raising practices and the slower growth rate of these premium birds.
Making the Most of Your Bresse-Style Chicken
Once you’ve sourced your premium bird, proper cooking is essential to showcase its exceptional flavor:
Simple Preparation Methods:
- Roast whole: Season simply with herbs, lemon, butter, and garlic
- Pan-sear breasts: To highlight the natural flavors
- Slow cook: For the most succulent results with dark meat
Traditional French Preparations:
- Coq au vin: Classic wine-braised chicken
- Poulet à l’estragon: Elegant tarragon chicken
- Poulet de Bresse à la crème: The traditional cream preparation
Remember, these birds have different cooking properties than commercial chicken. They’re often leaner yet more flavorful, so adjust cooking times accordingly to avoid drying them out.
FAQs About Buying Bresse Chicken in the USA
Q: Can I import Bresse chickens myself directly from France?
A: No, importing poultry from France is prohibited by USDA regulations to prevent disease introduction. There’s also the trademark issue surrounding the protected Bresse name.
Q: What exactly is the épinage process mentioned with authentic Bresse?
A: Épinage is a traditional fattening process where chickens are confined to small cages (épinettes) and fed a rich diet of corn and milk in the final weeks before slaughter to develop intramuscular fat.
Q: What’s the difference between “pasture-raised” and “free-range” chicken?
A: “Pasture-raised” generally implies a more extensive natural foraging environment, while “free-range” standards can vary significantly, sometimes requiring only minimal outdoor access.
Q: Can I find Bresse-style chicken at Whole Foods or specialty stores?
A: You might find premium chickens humanely raised in the Bresse style at high-end grocers and butcher shops, but they likely won’t be labeled “Bresse.”
Q: How should I store my premium Bresse-style chicken?
A: Store fresh Bresse-style chicken just like regular chicken – chilled at 40°F or below for 3-5 days. For longer storage, freeze it.
The Bottom Line on Buying Bresse Chicken in the USA
While authentic AOC-certified Bresse chicken from France remains unavailable in the US due to import restrictions and designation protections, you do have options. American Bresse chickens raised with similar methods offer a comparable culinary experience.
Your best bets for finding these premium birds are:
- Specialty farms like Bresse Farms in Mississippi
- Local heritage breed poultry farmers at farmers’ markets
- Premium meat suppliers and online marketplaces
- Farm directories to locate small-scale producers near you
The search requires some effort, but for culinary enthusiasts seeking the pinnacle of poultry, the flavor reward is worth it. As they say in the Bresse region of France, “La volaille de Bresse est la seule à mériter les quatre étoiles” – Bresse poultry is the only one deserving four stars!
Have you tried American Bresse chicken? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!
Note: Availability of specific farms and suppliers may change over time. Always contact vendors directly for the most up-to-date information on their offerings and shipping policies.
IF YOU PLACE AN ORDER WITH cumberland Creek Farm YOU HEREBY AGREE TO OUR Farm POLICIES STATED BELOW:
Purchases on chicks, birds, hatching eggs, shipping costs, and delivery costs are non-refundable.
Cumberland Creek Farm guarantees delivery of healthy and live chicks. Cumberland Creek Farm guarantees the health/life of birds 6 weeks and older for one week after the date of pick up or delivery.
Chicks with “failure to thrive” after the 48 hour guarantee are non-replaceable and non-refundable. Many external factors contribute to the “failure to thrive” with chicks after they have left the facility.
The buyer is responsible to maintain the birds’ health and care after the purchase and transfer of possession. Cumberland Creek Farm is not liable for anything that happens to the birds or costs associated after they have left the facility. Should the birds become ill or unsound, any and all costs of treatment will be the responsibility of the buyer. Cumberland Creek Farm does not reimburse veterinary or delivery costs.