How do you cook a whole chicken?

Question

My recipe calls for "1 whole chicken, cooked, boned and chopped". First of all, how do I cook a whole chicken. Secondly, is there a way to cheat, like buying it a can or something??

Answer 1

It's not cheating to use a cooked deli-chicken but maybe chicken in a can would have other flavourings unless maybe you buy a big tin (the same type you can get ham in).

If you want and have the time to go and buy a whole chicken OK:
This part is simple & easy: Wash the chicken well in cold water.
Put it into a big pot & cover with cold salted water, add 2 stalks of celery, 1 large carrot and one onion + 5 peppercorns & a stalk of parsley (maybe some thyme as well but not too much) and bring to a boil, skimming the surface as the proteins and subsequent scum surfaces. When it reaches the boil reduce heat & simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour you don't want the chicken to be falling off the bones at this point as then most of the flavour will be in the broth and not in the meat and it will also lose texture) then remove the chicken from the broth and set aside to cool for later chopping up the meat leaving the bones behind. In the pot where you have cooked the chicken in put the carcase back into it and simmer again for another hour and you will have great chicken stock to make a fabulous pot of soup from. Remove the carcas as well as the veggies, cool the broth and freeze it for the new year.

Answer 2

You can put the chicken in a large pot and fill it with enough water to cover the bird. Then put the lid on and boil it for an hour or so until the legs and wings are getting loose. Take it out, let it cool and pull the meat off the bones. Then you can chop it and use in your recipe. You can also go buy a roasted chicken and pull the meat off the bones. There is also canned chicken but it might take a few cans to get enough for your recipe.

Answer 3

cooking a whole chicken is easy and delicious. The worst part is pulling out the insides but after that you just put it in a pan with sides (i used a 9x9 square pan) with a little broth and whatever flavorings you like. Cook around 375 for 45-60 mins until there is no pink, then take meat off bone. You can always cheat when cooking, like buying those cans of chicken chunks or those strips in the fridge section. Just depends on what youre making. Good luck!

Answer 4

One of the best (and easiest) methods is "beer can chicken" on the grill. It never fails. Look it up online and you will find lots of recipes. I heat up one side of my gas grill (the cooking will be done on the side that is turned off). The chicken should be rinsed and patted dry with some dry spice rub sprinkled on it. You will stand the chicken on end with its legs out in front of it. Crack open can of beer and drink about a third of it. Use an opener to poke some additional holes in the top of the can. Lift the chicken up and slide the can up what was once the poor guys ****. You will have created a tripod with the legs splayed out in front. Tuck the wings up behind its back and set it on the cool side of the grill. Close the lid and you will awesome chicken in about 1h 20min. You may need to rotate the bird at some point during the cooking process. Try not to open the lid too much during the cooking time. Good luck.

Answer 5

I usually salt, pepper and butter the outside of the chicken. I have also used garlic cooking oil on the outside. For the inside I do a 1/2 lemon, garlic cloves, onion (cut in 1/2), rosemary and thyme. I also put garlic cloves under the skin of the chicken. Depends on how many pounds the chicken is. I always cook mine at 350. For a 4 - 6 pound chicken it normally takes 2 1/2 to 3 hours. If you don't have a meat thermometer, a rule of thumb is to turn the drumstick - If it moves easily, the chicken is done. The only part of the chicken you need to check when done cooking is the thigh meat. For me that is the part that takes the longest to cook. Good luck with your chicken!!!

Answer 6

buy a cooked one from your local deli or super market.

If not get a fresh chicken and cook at 180c in an oven for 20 mins per pound plus 20 minutes (so a three pound bird takes 1hr 20 min.

To prepair the bird for roasting cover in a light coating of veg oil, put in a roasting try, and pop it in the oven.

Getting the cooked flesh off is easy - just let it cool and use your hands

Answer 7

Buy a deli-roasted chicken from your grocery store and pick all the meat off. Be sure to add the juice in the pan to your recipe, too.

Answer 8

in 1 piece