by Andrew Cai

Created on: February 11, 2011   Last Updated: February 12, 2011

How to pluck your chicken: 5 easy steps to get your chicken from farm to table

Whether you own your own chicken or bought it from a farm, you need to know how to pluck the chicken before you cook it.  Though the task may not be too appealing, the steps are quite simple.  Notice the tip at the end of each section and follow according to your chicken type.  Items you need beforehand are a utensil, a large pot, and rubber gloves. 

1. First, the chicken must be dead, obviously.  Boil a pot of water on the stove, making sure the pot is big enough to put the chicken in and the water level will submerge the chicken.  Have at hand the pair of thick rubber gloves.

2.  When the water is at a boil, lower the chicken by it's feet into the water.  Make sure that the entire chicken is submerged.

3.  Use a stick or utensil and hold the chicken under water so it won't float.  Push the chicken around in the water and be sure that all of the feathers are thoroughly soaked.  A word of warning, older chicken tend to be tougher so hold the chicken underwater for a little longer to loosen up the feathers and younger chickens are more tender so hold it underwater for less time. 

4.  Hold the chicken in the water for no more than five (5) to ten (10) seconds.  Any longer and the chicken will start to cook.  Still wearing the gloves, remove the chicken, grab a handful of feathers and pull, one handful after another.  Depending on the age, size, and amount of pinfeathers there are, the chicken plucking may range from ten (10) to thirty (30) minutes so plan accordingly.  Younger chickens have more tender skin and may rip so if you have a young chicken, pluck cautiously. 

5.  For any remaining small hairs left on the chicken, carefully hold the chicken over an open flame and burn the hairs off.  Be careful not to burn yourself!

6.   Congratulations! You now have a freshly plucked chicken! For recipe ideas, please click on the following links.  Bon appetite!

http://www.bhg.com/recipes/salads/chicken/chicken-sa lad-recipes/

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/fresh-chicken-fa jitas/c84417eb-1357-413b-8706-ad79953fe4e7

http://chinesefood.about.com/od/chickenrecipes/Chine se_Chicken_Recipes.htm

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