Roast chicken instead of turkey?

[Shgytfgtf111]

Forgive me people for sounding like a complete moron but please bear with me as I don't eat meat so don't know the answer! I am cooking Christmas dinner for three adults (so not me) and was wondering if I got a chicken (or a couple of chickens) rather than a turkey would people be disappointed with chicken? Does it taste much less Christmassy than turkey?

My family likes to eat leftovers for a few days after Christmas, would there be leftover meat from chicken?

Chickens are so much cheaper than turkey but I dont want people to feel short changed.

Thanks all!

I think many people would be disappointed.

Have you considered buying a crown instead of a whole turkey? Or a couple of them.

Turkeys are beyond my reach, so we are having roast chicken. They are close enough. It means too I can buy a few treats like Christmas pudding and a panettone.

As much as most folks prefer chicken it is much more an every day meal. It’s not a typical Xmas dinner, typically it’s Turkey, goose, pheasant, that sort of thing. I’d not do a roast chicken. But if money is tight I’d go for it.

It's just me having turkey this year. We usually get a crown, but have just brought a breast joint this year!

They might be a little disappointed at first but only because people get a bit funny about doing things differently, not because chicken isn’t just as nice (if it’s a good bird it’s actually a lot nicer IMO!).

Make all your usual Christmas sides and it’ll make a perfectly lovely Christmas dinner - it’s the sides that make all the difference.

I would get 2 big, free range/organic birds, if your budget allows. That leaves plenty of meat for sandwiches.

Turkey and turkey gravy do taste different to chicken. I'd look for a turkey crown as often better value.

You could also do guinea fowl (basically an extra delicious chicken), just for something different. Slightly more expensive than a chicken but not horribly so. You will need two.

I bought a turkey thigh in Tesco yesterday, it was £3.50 and had enough meat for.4 hungry people. I assume the thighs are trimmed to make the crowns and are effectively waste meat, hence so cheap. Maybe a chicken and a turkey thigh?

Oh yes, they do taste different. And I do really like turkey, so I’m not going to pretend it’s not different...

My favourite is goose. But that’s even more expensive than turkey!

OP you could either get a turkey crown, or you could do duck. That’s very traditional where I’m from (Denmark). And would be a bit more special.

I wouldn't be disappointed at all. Plus i'd be ecstatic that someone was preparing a meal for me. I'd also have thought that one chicken would be fine for three people.

If budget is an issue and you still want to do turkey then try Icelands frozen turkey joints (they do various sizes and are cook from frozen) - absolutely nothing wrong with them. Something like this one but look at their range before ruling turkey out

Iceland

I wouldn't serve chicken as it is really an everyday meal here and not linked to Christmas, but have no qualms serving something special that isn't turkey (we are having a fillet of beef roast this year).

You can usually get smaller turkey crowns that are quick to roast and easy to slice.

We're having a capon. Have gone right off turkey. Noone is at all bothered.

You only need one chicken for three people and as turkey is quite a boring meat it will be fine to substitute. There is no law about eating turkey.

I would be perfectly happy with chicken if it came with all the usual sides. Actually, frankly I'd be perfectly happy with anything someone had been kind enough to cook me.

You know your family though. You should be fine to get some leftovers- a large chicken between 3 should easily do a roast, a pie and sandwiches (or whatever).

The OP says she needs leftovers for her relatives to eat 'for a few days after Christmas'. I don't think one chicken, after three adults have had a crack at it, is really going to fulfill that culinary brief somehow.

We really don't like turkey so we're having chicken this year. Tbh I would rather have roast beef but more people we're feeding prefer chicken so that's what we're having.

@WeAllHaveWings we’re doing a rolled sirloin and I can’t wait!

Of course there aren’t actually any rules as to what one has to do at Christmas...we mix it up quite regularly. But some people do get a bit funny about it (which is obviously fine too - if you always have that it probably wouldn’t feel very Christmassy without it).

@Shgytfgtf111 could you ask your family? They might be totally up for trying something different. Or they might be willing to help pay toward a turkey if they’re dead set on having it.

I made my family a veggie dinner one year... I'm not even veggie neither are they. I try to only eat higher welfare meat and decided the best way to ensure the meal was ethical was to not have meat.

They all appreciated and was greatful for it. Plenty of opertunities to eat Turkey over Christmas. I'm am sure they will be greatful for what ever you decide. And if not they are not worth worrying about.

I think chicken is much nicer personally!

Turkey is shite

Wow thanks for all the responses everyone! I really appreciate it and @Justhereforthechristmasthreads I will check out the link you kindly provided too.

Thanks for not thinking I am an idiot (or if you did, for not saying it ;). Plenty of divided opinion here so I will have a look about and a think. Although chicken is much cheaper I am now wondering about the practicalities of cooking it and picking it after considering I dont eat meat and am not used to handling it and therefore perhaps a crown might be a better option.

I'll look into it all more, including suggestions for other meats too, thanks :)

Ask them, lots of people prefer chicken. We always have gammon. You could cook what you wanted for me and I’d be grateful, especially as you won’t be eating the same yourself.

I don't understand how you would get more than one small meal of leftovers from a chicken that three adults had had a main meal from.

We can feed six to seven adults with one chicken.
Usually roast chicken slices & sides. Then two meals of any of these

• curry & rice
• chicken enchiladas or fajitas
• chicken noodle soup
• chicken pot pies

If you need more chicken, just roast two of them!