How to carve a chicken #cooking101, by Sarah Hart | Freezer Meal Prep on YouTube. 1 min 14 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 14 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Let the chicken rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving so the juices settle. Set it on a board with a groove and keep a sharp knife and fork to hand.
Pull one leg away from the body and cut through the skin between the leg and the breast. Press the leg outward until the hip joint pops free.
Cut through the hip joint to take off the whole leg. If you want smaller pieces, bend the leg and slice through the knee joint to split thigh from drumstick.
Cut straight down one side of the breastbone, keeping the knife close to the bone. Follow the curve of the ribcage and lift the whole breast off in one piece.
Lay the breast skin side up and slice across it into pieces about 1 cm thick. Repeat on the other side of the bird.
Cut through the shoulder joints to remove the wings, or leave them whole if you prefer.
Arrange the meat on a warm platter and spoon over any juices left on the board.
Tips and common mistakes
A blunt knife tears the meat, so sharpen yours before you start carving.
Use long, smooth strokes rather than sawing back and forth to keep the slices neat.
Keep the carcass and pick off the small bits for soup or stock the next day.
Questions
Can I carve the chicken on a normal plate?
Yes, but a board with a groove is safer because it holds the bird steady and catches the juices. If you use a plate, put a folded cloth underneath so it does not slide.
Should I carve with or against the grain?
Slice the breast across the grain, so the knife runs against the direction of the muscle fibres. This gives shorter fibres and more tender pieces.
How long does carved chicken keep?
Store it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat it gently with a splash of stock so it does not dry out.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
