how to clean a chicken

If we buy a whole chicken from the butcher we have to clean and wash the chicken before cooking it. Chickens sold in supermarkets are cleaned from feathers and feather roots, whereas those sold in butcheries we will have to remove any visible feather roots. Some small feathers, like thin hair, cannot be removed with tweezers, so we have to burn them off.

Wear latex gloves.
Remove the feathers with tweezers.
Take a piece of cotton and wet it with a one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol.
Light it in the sink and pass chicken over the flames wherever you see these little feathers.
Put the fire out and wash chicken again.
Cut the rear part (bud) of the chicken and discard.

How to boil a whole chicken

To boil the chicken, fill a pot with enough water to cover the chicken. When it starts to boil, remove any foam with a slit spoon and continue till water is clean.

Add salt, lower heat and cover with lid. Boil until chicken is tender (about 45 – 60 minutes depending on size and age of chicken).

You may also add some vegetables such as carrots, celery, potato, onion etc. during boiling if you like (optional).

Remove from pot and let cool until chicken can be handled. Remove skin, fat and bones by hand. You'll be amazed just how easy it will be. Now you have chicken ready for all your dishes and salads.

The most important part of this recipe is that we do not throw the broth away.

We can use it to cook pasta or rice in it or make a nice chicken soup with rice, called Avgolemono (which means egg and lemon).

Disinfecting utensils and surfaces after cleaning a whole chicken

Finally, all your utensils, cutting boards, knives, scissors, colanders, counter top etc., should be cleaned and sanitized thoroughly in order to avoid contamination.

Antibacterial soap, alcohol, bleach, even usual soap with a solution of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide is necessary to kill bacteria.

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