How do you cut up a chicken?

How to Cut Up a Whole Chicken:

1. Gather Your Supplies:

* Whole chicken

* Sharp chef's knife

* Cutting board

* Kitchen shears or heavy-duty scissors

* Paper towels

2. Prep the Chicken:

* Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.

* Remove the giblets and neck from the cavity (you can save these for stock).

3. Cut the Chicken in Half:

* Place the chicken breast side down on the cutting board.

* Using your knife, cut through the backbone along both sides of the chicken.

* Carefully remove the backbone. You can save this for stock as well.

* Separate the two chicken halves.

4. Separate the Legs and Thighs:

* Turn each half breast side up.

* Locate the joint where the leg meets the thigh.

* Cut through the joint, separating the leg and thigh.

5. Cut the Wings:

* Locate the joint where the wing meets the breast.

* Cut through the joint, separating the wing from the breast.

* If desired, you can cut the wing into two pieces at the joint.

6. Separate the Breasts:

* Locate the breastbone, which runs down the center of the breast.

* Cut along the breastbone, separating the two breasts.

* If desired, you can remove the skin from the breasts.

7. Cut the Legs and Thighs (Optional):

* Cut through the bone connecting the leg and thigh (this is called the drumstick).

* This will give you separate leg and thigh pieces.

8. Storage:

* Store cut-up chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

* You can also freeze cut-up chicken for up to 3 months.

Tips:

* Use a sharp knife for clean, precise cuts.

* Be careful when cutting through bones.

* If you're uncomfortable cutting through bone, you can ask a butcher to cut up the chicken for you.

* Use the chicken pieces for various dishes, like roasting, grilling, frying, or making soups and stews.

Remember: Proper food handling is crucial. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling raw poultry. Always cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it's safe to eat.