Free range poultry has become a popular trend. Whether you raise your own chickens or get them from a farmer, you'll need to know pluck them before you cook them. Your chicken may have already been slaughtered, or you may have to do the dirty work before plucking. Follow these instructions to get your chicken plucked and one step closer to the dinner table.
Instructions
1. Place a large pan of water (big enough to hold a chicken) on the stove. Bring to a boil. Remove the boiling water from the stove and take the pan outside.
2. Put on a pair of thick rubber gloves and grab the chicken by its feet. Immerse the chicken in the hot water.
3. Take a stick or a long cooking utensil (such as a wooden spoon) and hold the chicken under the hot water so it will not float to the top. Push it around in the water to make sure all of the feathers are thoroughly soaked.
4. Remove the chicken from the water after only 5 to 10 seconds (any longer may start cooking the chicken). Grab a handful of feathers and start pulling them out, one handful after another. It can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes to pluck a chicken. It takes longer if there are a lot of pinfeathers.
Tags: hold chicken