How to break down a chicken

Steps

1. 1Remove the legs

   Place the chicken breast-side up. Pull one leg away from the body and cut through the skin connecting the leg to the breast. Pop the thigh joint out of the socket and cut through it to remove the leg. Repeat on the other side.

   Whole chicken
2. 2Separate thighs and drumsticks

   Find the line of fat between the thigh and drumstick on each leg. Cut through that line to separate the two pieces.

   Whole chicken
3. 3Remove the wings

   Pull each wing away from the body and cut through the joint where the wing meets the breast to remove it.

   Whole chicken
4. 4Separate the breasts

   With the chicken breast-side up, cut along one side of the breastbone to remove the first breast half. Repeat on the other side to remove the second breast.

   You can also remove the breast in one piece and then split it down the middle if you prefer.

   Whole chicken
5. 5Save the carcass

   Set aside the remaining carcass (backbone and rib cage) for making stock.

   Freeze the carcass if not making stock immediately.

   Whole chicken