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Photo:Ana Cadena

A plate of a whole roasted and carved up chicken

Ana Cadena

How to Cut Up a Whole Chicken

Step 1

Place the chicken on a cutting surface. Holding it steady with a carving fork, cut through the skin between the leg and body using a large carving knife.

A whole roast chicken getting carved up

Step 2

Cut through the hip joint, removing the entire leg from the body. Repeat with the other leg.

A whole roast chicken getting carved up

Step 3

Place a leg skin-side down and cut through the joint between the drumstick and thigh. Repeat with the other leg.

A whole roast chicken getting carved up

Step 4

To remove the breast meat, make a long cut horizontally near the base of the chicken.

A whole roast chicken getting carved up

Step 5

Then, hold the chicken near the breastbone with the carving fork. Make a cut along one side of the breast; cut through to the horizontal cut you made at the base of the body. Repeat with the second breast half on the other side of the breastbone.

A whole roast chicken getting carved up

Step 6

Cut the breast meat into slices, if desired.

A whole roast chicken getting carved up

Step 7

Bend the wing away from the body and use a knife to remove the wing piece. Repeat with the other wing. Cut off the tips, if desired.

A whole roast chicken getting carved up

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