How to Cook with Jidori Chicken like a Michelin Chef

Expecting a delectable and memorable experience at a high-end restaurant is non-negotiable. What separates outstanding restaurants from great restaurants is the creativity and execution of dishes that start with a similar base of ingredients. When you're aiming for perfection, every component matters. Execution matters, but starting with the freshest and trustworthy ingredients is how chefs often achieve those incredible flavors and textures. For many of the world's Michelin-Star chefs, this means building their dishes on the foundation of Jidori chicken.

Why "Chef's Choice" Matters

For a professional chef, particularly one chasing or upholding a Michelin star, an ingredient isn't just an item on a list; it's a promise of quality. They need products that perform consistently, deliver unparalleled flavor, and possess a texture that can withstand demanding cooking techniques. When a particular ingredient becomes the "chef's choice," it signals to the world that it has passed the most rigorous tests. For the home cook, choosing these same ingredients is the single biggest step toward cooking like a chef and achieving restaurant quality chicken at home.

Jidori - The Michelin Star Chicken

What makes Jidori the go-to premium chicken brand for so many top-tier kitchens is the result of raising cared-for chicken. The term "Jidori" translates to "chicken of the earth" in Japanese, and it represents a philosophy of raising poultry to the highest possible standard.

Unlike commercially raised chickens, which are bred for rapid growth, Jidori chickens are raised slowly and in humane environments. They are fed a high-quality, non-GMO, all-vegetarian diet, including clover, apples, and tomatoes, and are never given antibiotics. This meticulous process results in a bird that is leaner, with firmer muscle texture and a remarkably low water content.

For a chef, this means:

• Unrivaled Flavor: Jidori chicken has a richer, more complex, and deep flavor that simply can't be found in conventional poultry.

• Superior Texture: The meat is firm and succulent, never mushy or watery. This ensures a satisfying mouthfeel whether it's pan-seared, grilled, or roasted.

• Crispier Skin: With less water under the skin, it renders and crisps up beautifully, achieving that shatteringly crisp texture that is the hallmark of a perfectly cooked bird.

As Chef Thomas Keller of The French Laundry has famously emphasized, it all starts with the product. Using a chicken like Jidori ensures the foundation of the dish is first-class.

Bringing Restaurant Quality Home

You don’t need a complicated recipe to make Jidori shine. In fact, simplicity is often best to let its natural quality stand out. Top chefs around the world often take the approach that “less is more.” Take roast chicken, for instance. Simple prep, using a few ingredients, but done well, it is a meal worth telling friends about. With the right mix of a few humble ingredients, heat and time, the ingredient easily becomes the star of the meal. Here’s how we like to roast Jidori chicken:

Simple Roasted Jidori Chicken

1. Ingredients:

   1. One whole Jidori chicken (about 3-4 lbs)
   2. 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted unsalted butter
   3. Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
   4. 1 lemon, halved
   5. 1 head of garlic, halved crosswise
   6. A few sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary

2. Instructions:

   1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
   2. Pat the Jidori chicken completely dry with paper towels. This is crucial for crispy skin.
   3. Generously rub the chicken all over with the olive oil or butter.
   4. Season the chicken liberally inside and out with salt and pepper.
   5. Stuff the cavity with the lemon halves, garlic, and fresh herbs.
   6. Place the chicken in a roasting pan or cast-iron skillet and roast for 50-60 minutes, or until the juices run clear when you pierce the thigh and a thermometer reads 165°F (74°C).
   7. Let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender result.

Serve it with simple roasted vegetables or a fresh salad and you will taste the remarkable difference a Jidori chicken makes. We are honored and humbled when established and renowned chefs feature Jidori chicken on their menus (like Vin Folk in Hermosa beach). Like these chefs, starting with premium ingredients, like Jidori chicken, will carve a pathway to create your own Michelin inspired experience at home.