How to cut a whole chicken: Step-by-step video tutorial

Cody Godwin, USA TODAY
·2-min read

Buying bone-in chicken is a great way to save money at the grocery store. It yields multiple different cuts of meat, which can result in delicious wings, chicken and rice, soup and more. Plus, there’s enough meat to plan ahead and meal prep!

Before you start, grab your cutting board, kitchen knives, a sturdy pair of kitchen shears and some food prep gloves.

Breaking down a whole chicken sounds intimidating. Keep reading for a simple, step-by-step guide to get the most out of your chicken.

Watch this video to see how to break down a whole chicken.

How to break down a chicken

A sturdy cutting board is key, so placing a damp kitchen towel or paper towel underneath will keep it from slipping while you break down the chicken.

When breaking down a chicken:

  • Start with the wings.

Cut the chicken and look for the joint. Once you find it, cut through it with a knife or a sturdy pair of kitchen shears. If you’re unsure where the joint is, bend the wing and breast back to reveal the joint connecting the two parts.

You can break up the wing even more into the drum and the flat. Keep the wing tips to use in soups and stocks.

  • Cut the dark meat.

Cut off the thighs and the legs.

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  • Cut the breast from the backbone.

Once removed, you can cut the breast into two smaller pieces.

If you don’t want a whole chicken, consider buying bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts for a cheaper alternative. Use a boning knife or pairing knife to cut the meat away from the bone.

  • Use the scissors to clean up the meat and trim off any excess fat.

Don't toss the scraps! Save the trimmings and bones for soups. If you won’t use them immediately, put them in the freezer.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to cut a whole chicken like a pro: Tutorial video

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