Mumsnet chicken help!

[AgeingArtemis]

Hi all, I am a student and decided to buy a whole chicken (from aldi) as it's basically the same price as a pack of breasts/thighs.

I've never cooked a whole chicken before (stupid I know) and I'm not sure how to carve it or debone the leftovers

Any help? I already have a few recipe ideas, it more the practicality of removing the meat from the chicken which confuses me!

When you take it out of the oven, let it rest for a few minutes - cover it with some foil or an old tea towel. Then move it onto the biggest chopping board you have. You should be able to pull the legs away from the body just with your fingers, then slice the breasts with a sharp knife.

For the leftovers, let it cool then just go in and pick/pull the meat off with your fingers. Don't keep any left-over skin as it will make everything fatty.

Do you know how to check if it's cooked (not being patronising, just don't want you to get poisoned!)

I don't have a meat thermometer or anything. I would cook for at least as long as recommended , check not pink and juices run clear?
Is there anything else?

Before you cook it, make sure it doesn't have its gibblets stuffed inside the body cavity, take them out if it does!
Stuff a roughly chopped onion/some garlic cloves or half a lemon if you've got it, inside it before cooking.

When you cut into it to take the legs off, you will probably get some liquid spilling out, so be prepared for that.

When you are stripping the cold carcass, don't forget that some of the best bits are underneath.

Enjoy!!

I never carve it properly, just pull it to bits

It was delicious btw, I will definitely be doing this again!

Leftovers are deboned and in the fridge, to be transformed into a chicken curry tomorrow :)

So pleased that you enjoyed it, it's good practise for doing a Christmas roast dinner!

Don't forget to boil the carcass for stock! Use for soup, or a risotto, to to make a gravy.