Save money – DIY chicken pieces
17 June 2012 in Cheap and cheerful, Easy to prepare
If you are a real butcher…….look away now!
One way to save money is to buy whole chickens when they are ‘on special’ and hack cut them up yourself. All you need are a pair of good kitchen scissors and a couple of cheepy chicks!
One of our local supermarkets were offering chickens at R19.99 last week, and you know me, I can’t help myself!
Firstly turn the chicken over so that the breast side is on the chopping board and cut down the middle.
Open the chicken up and snip off the backbone on both sides and discard.
Now at this point you have a spatchcock chicken – perfect for the braai.
If you want chicken pieces however, start by taking off the wings, feel for the joint and cut there.
Then remove the thigh and the leg.
Cut between the thigh and the leg.
Finally cut down the middle of the two breasts.
And that’s all there is to it, trust me you are paying a premium when you buy chicken pieces and spatchcock chickens ready prepared and it takes no time at all to do-it-yourself.
Here are a couple of my easy tasty recipes using chicken pieces
Mandy - The Complete Cook Book said on 17 June 2012
My aunt always does this – not sure why I don’t!
Mandy
Great step by step shots.
Sous Chef said on 17 June 2012
Take a look at the difference in the price per kilo, whole chicken as against ready prepped chicken pieces, it’s a big saving. Himself took the pics, I thought he did well.
Debbie said on 18 June 2012
It is worth it in the long run.
Now chicken just needs to go on special!
Sous Chef said on 18 June 2012
Even when it’s not on special a whole chicken is the cheaper option.
pinkpolkadot said on 18 June 2012
Wow, Sue! R19.99/kg? That is a steal. I think whole chickens are more expensive in Cape Town than portions, but I do still like this idea – especially for a spatchcock!
Sous Chef said on 18 June 2012
I think you guys in CT & JHB pay a lot more than us for food.
Margret said on 18 June 2012
yes, that is cheap – BUT
1 is it free range?
2 has it been fed with fish meal?
3 has it lived in a cage?
4 how has it been slaughtered?
it is cheap most probably for a reason –
Margret
Sous Chef said on 18 June 2012
Hanbury is a reputable local brand, the chickens are not in cages but large sheds where they can run around and they can eat and drink as they want. They are fed on a vegetable diet with no steroids. The chickens are stunned before they are slaughtered.
cookalooks said on 21 June 2012
This is very informative…love the step by step pics. Great Blog!
Sous Chef said on 25 June 2012
Thanks Townie
Lisa Bradshaw said on 25 June 2012
Am definitely going to try this as chicken actually quite expensive here!!
Sous Chef said on 28 June 2012
Hi Lisa, it’s so easy and worth it!
adinparadise said on 28 June 2012
I’m sure that’s very good, Sue, but I’m not letting you do my heart surgery if ever I need any. You wield a mean pair of scissors.
Sous Chef said on 28 June 2012
Spoilsport!