How to Quarter a Chicken

Quartering a chicken means breaking a whole chicken down into four parts by removing the legs and splitting the breast. Learn how to easily quarter a chicken!

Step 1. Make incisions o
Step 1. Make incisions on the top of the breast just beneath the neck.
Step 2. Remove wishbone.
Step 2. Remove wishbone.
Step 3. Separate the win
Step 3. Separate the wings from the chicken by slicing through the bone and joints.
Step 4. Flip the chicken
Step 4. Flip the chicken over and make slice just above the thighs.
Step 5. Turn chicken on
Step 5. Turn chicken on its side and slice between the leg and the thigh.
Step 6. Continue slicing
Step 6. Continue slicing up over leg and break the joint.
Step 7. Cut the leg and
Step 7. Cut the leg and thigh quarter from chicken.
Step 8. Cut the leg and
Step 8. Cut the leg and thigh quarter from chicken.
Step 9.  Repeat steps 3
Step 9. Repeat steps 3 - 7 on other side.
Step 10. Place knife ins
Step 10. Place knife inside the cavity parallel to the backbone and cut downward through ribs.
Step 11. Flip chicken an
Step 11. Flip chicken and cut through center.
Step 12. Use your hands
Step 12. Use your hands to break rib cage, then cartilage.
Step 13. Slice between t
Step 13. Slice between the two breast quarters.
Pro Tip: Keep all bones
Pro Tip: Keep all bones and trimmings for stock.

Watch the "pinch tips" video here.