Chicken poutine is crispy fries smothered in gravy with shredded chicken and cheese curds. This poutine recipe makes the best comfort food!

Poutine is a classic comfort food recipe, originating in Canada. Some people simply call it what it is; fries with gravy, but there are other ingredients as well.
An authentic poutine recipe typically calls for duck confit, which is expensive, and not very kid friendly.
Chicken poutine
For this reason, I like to make it using slow cooked, seasoned shredded chicken. Using chicken makes it kid-friendly and just as delicious as the duck version. Plus, using chicken legs makes it a budget-friendly meal, too!

Ingredient notes and substitutions
The basic components to make chicken poutine are shown below. To see the full list of ingredients, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Russet potatoes – Homemade French fries aren’t difficult to make and they will really elevate the flavor of the dish. You could even make this poutine recipe using baked potato wedges. If you would rather use a package of frozen French fries, you certainly can.
- Chicken legs – You’ll be slow roasting the chicken, which takes about 3 hours. If you’re in a hurry, shredded rotisserie chicken is a good substitute. You’ll need about 3 cups of cooked chicken.
- Poutine gravy – The gravy is flavorful and made with simple ingredients; all-purpose flour, butter, chicken stock, salt and pepper.
- White cheddar cheese curds – Depending on where you live, it may be difficult to find fresh cheese curds. If you’re unable to find them, you can use mozzarella cheese sticks cut into bite sized pieces.

Poutine recipe video
Watch the video in the recipe card at the bottom of this post! You’ll see me making chicken poutine from start to finish.

How to make chicken poutine
- Season and roast the chicken. It can take up to three hours to roast chicken legs, so be sure you have enough time to do so. Or, you can make the chicken ahead of time. After cooking, it will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Clean and slice the potatoes. For the best results, you’ll want to cut the potatoes into long, thin slices. Peeling the potatoes is optional. To prevent the uncooked fries from turning brown, submerge them in a large container filled with cold water.
- Make the poutine gravy. The best time to do this is while the chicken is roasting in the oven.
- Shred the chicken. You can discard any chicken bones or skin,
- Cook the French fries.

Is poutine a meal or an appetizer?
The answer is BOTH! Vegetarian poutine is a fantastic party appetizer, but adding meat makes this dish hearty enough for a family dinner.
Other comfort food recipes
If you like this chicken poutine, be sure to check out these other comfort food recipes as well:

This post, first published on Kevin Is Cooking Sept. 6, 2017, was last updated with new content on Jan. 12, 2022.
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Chicken Poutine + Video
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes skin-on, washed and dried
Chicken Confit:
- 2 pounds chicken legs
- 6 garlic cloves
- 2 shallots
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 orange (See Note 1)
- 20 black peppercorns
- fresh sprigs of rosemary sage and thyme (See Note 2)
- 1 quart vegetable oil (or enough to cover)
Gravy:
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken stock
- salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
Assembly:
- 8 oz cheese curds (See Note 3)
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250°F. In a 13×9” baking dish add the chicken pieces and arrange garlic cloves, shallots, cinnamon, orange peel, black peppercorns, rosemary, sage and thyme over chicken. Pour vegetable oil over to cover chicken pieces and cover with aluminum foil to seal. Cook in the oven for 3 1/2 hours.
- Allow chicken to cool and discard the skin and bones, shred the chicken. Strain oil and discard remaining solids. Reserve oil to fry potatoes in.
- In a large skillet melt the butter over medium high heat. Add flour and cook, stirring until smooth, for about 2 minutes. Whisk in the chicken stock and add a sprig or two each of rosemary, sage and thyme tied with kitchen string. Stir often for 5 minutes, gravy with thicken. Remove herb bundle and discard. Add the shredded chicken and stir to mix. Pour into a bowl and keep warm.
- Clean skillet and add the reserved oil. Bring oil temperature to 375°F. Drain the potatoes, dry thoroughly with paper towels. Work in batches if needed and add potatoes. Fry to golden brown, carefully turning with tongs, until tender and slightly crisp, about 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels and salt to taste.
- On a large platter or individual plates, divide french fries, top with cheese curds and pour heated chicken and gravy over all. Top with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- I use a vegetable peeler and get about 4 long strips of just the orange zest. Be careful not to get the white pith of the orange.
- I buy small bunches of fresh herbs and use it all. See video.
- If cheese curds are hard to find ask your dairy grocer or use a handful of shredded mozzarella cheese as a substitute.
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Nutrition

The recipe states, Pour vegetable oil over to cover chicken pieces. How much oil is this? Are the chicken pieces bathing in oil?
Hi Jennifer. I updated the recipe card to state 1 quart, but as seen in the video as well as noted in Step 1 instructions “cover with oil”. You may need more or less depending on size of chicken and everything in the pan making the chicken confit. That same oil gets cooled and solids removed then you will be frying the potato fries in it as well. Hope this helps.
Hi there,
This looks Amazing!
Question do you use home-made chicken stock for the gravy?
Thankyou
Cathy ☺️
Always homemade whenever I have it on hand, but canned is fine.
Thankyou for your message. I have it in the oven now and I thought since I don’t have home-made chicken broth, instead of putting oil with the chicken in the oven I put 3cups of boiling water. And then I will strain the liquid and use that for my gravy.
Hope it works!
Thankyou for a lovely recipe!
Cathy
It was a great experience of making chicken…I had not done anything related to cooking before. This helps me a lot to learn to cook…I suggest all to use this recipe…and still, if you are unable to cook food in this COVID transmission, you can order it online WHO has said that Food delivery service Covid-19’s time is the safest That’s why we provide take out near me for more restaurant for Dishpal’s Through Food Delivery Service to more frequent restaurant owners.
I am glad you enjoyed this recipe Sam!
This was DELICIOUS, thank you for the recipe!!! Gracias desde México
Than you for sharing! I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Chicken Poutine – incredible! For those who like a little lower calorie count, use a crock pot turkey breast cooked in an envelope of Lipton Onion Soup and use your air fryer for the fries. But who’s counting calories for comfort food?! Delicious! Thank you, Kevin!
Thank YOU Bobbi. 😉
Wow! is looks sooooo delicious! And I suppose nourishing as well
These are quite delicious indeed, thanks.
Can we use chicken breast and lemon peel instead?
Definitely, just different texture and flavor Mahbuba. Let me know what you think!
I can’t think of a more comforting meal than fresh french fried smothered in gravy. I seriously wish I was eating this RIGHT NOW. My boyfriend would just love if I made this for him!
This is a meal! I just love making this and it’s the ultimate in comfort food. I just love a good gravy over potatoes or french fries and with this amazing chicken (or duck if you like) it’s heavenly. Thanks Danielle. 🙂
Hi Kevin:
This sounds so good, even if it is a variation.
One point in question is… This is a French Canadian dish, they do not have it in France. Also Quebec is on the East Coast, it is not western.
A suggestion… Try using Summer Savory in place of the sage. You will love the change.
I really enjoy your recipes and your site.
Thanks Charlie, appreciate it!
We first were introduced to poutine on the ferry to Nova Scotia. Then we had it again in Halifax. Wherever we were in Canada, we asked for it. Now I make it myself and we love it! 💕
Love it. 🙂
Would appreciate your letting me know what the orange peel is for. Thanks, love your recipes!
Sorry for the late reply, been in the middle of a house remodel here Jeanne. It goes in with the chicken when slow roasting in the oil. There is a video as well to help with visuals. Appreciate you stopping by and for being a reader! 🙂
Duh! Sorry for the inconvenience. And I thought I was being so careful reading the recipe. Happy remodeling – so much fun!
No problem and thanks Jeanne!
Can the chicken be cooked in slow cooker instead, maybe on low for 4-6 hours? Then proceed with recipe as you wrote it.
Good question and one I’ve never done before Rachel. I’m curious to give it a try myself. I don’t see why not! Let me know if you proceed, how it turns out and I can update the recipe here. Thanks!
I your writing style truly loving this web site.
Thanks Cary!