Breaking Down a Whole Chicken at Home
Buying whole chickens is one of the easiest ways to save money, reduce waste, and get more value from every grocery trip. If you've never broken one down yourself, don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks. With a sharp knife and a little practice, you’ll be portioning your own chicken in under ten minutes.
In this post, I’ll show you how I break down a whole chicken into usable parts for the week—breasts, thighs, drumsticks, wings, and a carcass for broth. It's a homestead kitchen skill that gives you flexibility, cuts down on packaging, and puts more meals on the table.
I love Burlap & Barrel for all my spices in my cooking recipes. Check them out at the link.
Like home preservation ideas? Check out How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar
Appreciating this kind of content? We offer free printable resources to help support a simpler, seasonal life rooted in real skills. Download yours here
What You’ll Need:
1 whole chicken (3–5 lbs)
Sharp chef’s knife or boning knife
Clean cutting board
Bowl or tray for parts
Optional: kitchen shears for backbone
Video Tutorial
Steps:
Remove the legs and thighs
Slice through the skin between the breast and leg, then pop the joint and cut clean through. Separate the drumstick from the thigh if desired.Remove the wings
Pull the wing away and cut through the joint with a firm slice.Separate the breast
Run your knife along the breastbone, staying close to the bone to remove the meat in one piece. Repeat on the other side.Use the carcass for broth
Don’t toss what’s left! The bones and scraps are perfect for making rich, flavorful broth.
Tips & Tricks:
Keep your knife sharp. Most frustration in the kitchen comes from dull blades.
Freeze parts in meal-size batches if you’re not using everything right away.
Save wing tips, backbones, and scraps for broth or stock later.
Learning how to break down a whole chicken puts you back in control of your ingredients. It’s a skill that saves money, supports a no-waste kitchen, and gives you the freedom to cook exactly what you need when you need it.
I love Burlap & Barrel for all my spices in my cooking recipes. Check them out at the link.
Appreciating this kind of content? We offer free printable resources to help support a simpler, seasonal life rooted in real skills. Download yours here
