Chicken??

Seriously, can someone explain to me why chicken is SO expensive over here?
It was my go-to meat in the States, because there a million things you can do with it, and it was fairly cheap. Like, $5 for a bag of frozen chicken breasts.

I know that they don't make the monster chickens pumped full of hormones over here, for which I am grateful, I'm just wondering how on earth I'm supposed to afford normal chicken. Does anyone have any suggestions about how find it cheaper, or do I just need to suck it up and realize we won't be eating much poultry from here on out?

Seriously, can someone explain to me why chicken is SO expensive over here?
It was my go-to meat in the States, because there a million things you can do with it, and it was fairly cheap. Like, $5 for a bag of frozen chicken breasts.

I know that they don't make the monster chickens pumped full of hormones over here, for which I am grateful, I'm just wondering how on earth I'm supposed to afford normal chicken. Does anyone have any suggestions about how find it cheaper, or do I just need to suck it up and realize we won't be eating much poultry from here on out?

You can usually find bags of frozen monster chicken breasts for about £5 in Tesco or ASDA, at least if it's a bigger shop rather than one of the smaller ones.  I think the last time we bought them, they were £4.49 for 6 breasts I think?  The fresh stuff is definitely expensive no matter where you go, though.

ETA: Usually the portions are cheaper, like thighs/legs/wings, etc.  Most shops also have a clearance spot where they will put fresh meat/cheese/ready meals that they need to sell because of the dates.  Sometimes you can get a whole chicken for £2! 

Go dark. Breast is like flavourless fiber isn't it?

Buy a whole chicken.  See how far you can make it stretch.  It's the best way forward! 

How far did your chicken stretch?!

Buy a whole chicken.  See how far you can make it stretch.  It's the best way forward! 

How far did your chicken stretch?!

Agree with this! I have lots of fun with roasted chicken!

Try Iceland or Farm Foods. They tend to do frozen foods a lot cheaper than the regular supermarkets.

How far did your chicken stretch?!

Real stock is soo much better too. I wash out the smaller plastic milk containers and freeze chicken stock in them. 

I've been scratching my head at that one, myself.  Since I've been here, I could get 3 packs of chicken breast with 3-4 pieces in it, for 10 quid.  Suddenly, one pack with 5 pieces is 7 quid.    Seriously?  What's happening? 

I can get steak for less, now.  Unfortunately I don't like dark chicken meat.  Its a texture thing.  Though I've been buying wings and experimenting with some really nice sauces.

Time to raise some of my own chickens, I guess.    Hubby and I have been wanting to since last year.

I think it's because the price of grain went up due to poor harvests last year.

But I've still seen "any 3 for £10" offers in Morrison's and Asda (3 or 4 chicken breasts per pack)

It's difficult to compare to what you were paying in the US though, for example DW mentioned last year that something had gone up quite a bit in the UK but when we visited the US we found it had gone up by just as much there.

Real stock is soo much better too. I wash out the smaller plastic milk containers and freeze chicken stock in them. 

Definitely!  DH says that my homemade chicken stock is what 'makes' his risotto & so many other things. 

What do you guys do for your stock?  What do you put in it?  I've never made it before because we never had enough freezer space, but that is about to change and I would love to put a good chicken carcass to use!    

ETA: Sorry for the OT question!

What do you guys do for your stock?  What do you put in it?  I've never made it before because we never had enough freezer space, but that is about to change and I would love to put a good chicken carcass to use!    

ETA: Sorry for the OT question!

Sounds like sonofasailor saves the small plastic milk containers & puts it in those.  I save those Mackies ice cream tubs (the 1 litre ones), and put stock in those - or in tupperware-type containers.  I have also heard of people pouring stock into an ice cube tray, so they can use only a cube at a time for things - but we tend to use 1/2 or whole litre at a time.

Also, if I have a carcass ready but no time (at that moment) to make stock, I have been known to bung it into a freezer bag & chuck it (the carcass) into the freezer until I have time to get around to making stock.

I know not everyone has freezer space to accommodate it, but if you do - go for it!

Making the stock is easy and you don't have to add any salt to it because you can add salt to whatever it is you are using it for. I am not anti salt but good Lord some bouillon is just over the top. I don't funkify it up too much with anything for the same reason - I'll be seasoning later.

My standard recipe is just a carcass covered with water. A rough cut onion and a couple of rough cut carrots. If I have celery I add a stalk rough cut, but I often don't because I end up binning the rest it seems. Bring to a low boil and let it cook down. I will often top up the water and let it go even longer to really get it to break down. You can keep reducing till it gets quite thick, but I usually stop when it looks like chicken soup. I just let it cool and pour it right in the milk container sans carcass and vegetables.

I often use the chicken stock in almost anything calling for any sort of stock as the flavour is not strong, for instance seafood gumbo.

Try Aldi.  You can get a 1.2 kg bag of frozen chicken breasts for £3.99.  Their meat is actually really good and cheap too.  Plus, most of the fresh meat is British.

Not sure where you lived but I lived in Omaha and the cheapest boneless skinless bag if chicken was $8. Right before I came here to England it had gone up to almost ten dollars. And the fresh stuff was just ridiculous. Coming here I thought the chicken was pretty comparable.