How to Cut a Whole Chicken

5 from 1 vote

Learn How to Cut a Whole Chicken into pieces in 10 minutes. Easy step-by-step tutorial will guide you every step of the way.

Prep Time10

Total Time10

Course: How To

Cuisine: North American

Diet: Gluten Free

Calories: 819kcal

Lay chicken on its back breasts side up. Remove bag with giblets, if any.
Trim fat and skin on both sides of the opening.
Remove the tail or I like to call it "butt". Sharp kitchen shears are great for this too.
Cut each leg between the leg bone and the bone that is attached to the body. It helps to start cutting and then snap the leg. You will hear a crack, so cut the muscle between 2 joints.
Cut the wings the same way as legs.
Pull the skin from the breasts using your hands and help it separate from meat with the knife along the way. It should come off very easily. Or leave it on.
Flip the chicken and trim skin the same way on the back. There will be more fat attached to the carcass under the skin. Trim it as well.
Flip chicken on its back again and remove the breasts. Cut each breast in the middle close to the center bone and along the ribs.

Store: Once you have cut your chicken into pieces it is ready for use in all kinds of dishes. If you need to marinate, go ahead and get that started. Keep them stored in an airtight bag or container for up to 2 days until you're ready to use them.
Freeze: Pieces of raw chicken can be kept frozen for up to 9 months. If you're freezing a whole chicken prior to cutting it, it will keep frozen for up to 1 year. This is why buying them when they're on sale is a great idea!