Video: How to Cut Up a Whole Chicken

Cutting whole chickens into pieces saves money. We’ll show you how in five steps.

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It’s one of the great ways to save money at the grocery store! Buy a whole chicken and cut it up into individual pieces yourself. In this video, you’ll see how to cut a whole chicken into easy-to-use pieces perfect for stews, grilling, baking, or dredging in flour and frying. All you need is a cutting board and a very sharp knife. You’ll also get smart tips for handling your knife safely and discover a few tricks for cutting through and around joints and tough cartilage. By cutting up your own chicken, you’ll also save money by reserving the unused chicken pieces to make delicious homemade chicken stock. See more chicken videos >>

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Manda

Feb. 10, 2013 12:46 pm

I need to start doing this more often! Thanks for the great, helpful video.

KGora

Jun. 30, 2012 2:47 pm

Another great way to save some money! So much less expensive than cut up chicken in the store!

LilSnoo

Jun. 27, 2012 6:02 pm

I keep meaning to buy whole chickens, but once the time comes, I always chicken out (no pun intended!) and go with pre-cut pieces.

LilSnoo

Jun. 27, 2012 5:11 pm

Very helpful video! I always mean to buy whole chicken to cut them up, but always chicken out (no pun intended!) at the last minute. :)

Paula

Apr. 18, 2012 11:22 am

This video makes it look so easy that I believe I could do it! Now I just need a really sharp knife.

voxytam

Apr. 5, 2012 7:52 pm

I'd never cut a raw bird into pieces before until tonight. Everything went fairly smoothly, considering, but my breasts are attached to the breast plates. What do I do now??

Crikkitt

Nov. 7, 2011 6:02 pm

Thanks for the informative video! I've always been a little intimated about cutting up a whole chicken so I take the easy way out and boil the whole thing, then shred, or I bake it. Now that I know how to do it, I won't be so weary of it. :)

FEZZABEALL

Oct. 13, 2011 8:21 am

why is the chicken being cut on a wooden cutting board?

LeadSinger

Oct. 13, 2011 6:16 am

Why throw the liver away? It can be used for pate..just freeze and when a few have been saved, defrost, add finely chopped onion, a little mayo, salt and pepper and there you have it! Great on crackers as an appetizer!

Papa & The Big Fella

Oct. 1, 2011 7:16 pm

I've been cutting up chickens a long time. Taught myself. I'm puzzled as to what you did with the breast and back here. When I taught the Big Fella how to cut up a chicken I emphasized the placement of the sharp blade between the joints on the dark meat and then I cut away the back from the breast. Then split the breast into two breasts. I've been told this is different form the norm but much better!

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