Using Whole Chickens

Whole chickens have become a HUGE time and money saver in our house.  I consider these a good deal when they are $.80/lb or lower, and a few weeks ago Hy-Vee had whole chickens for $.59/lb!  That means around $3 for a whole chicken!  Usually, we can get between four and five meals out of one chicken AND two meals worth of chicken broth!

 Here's what you do:

1) Buy the chicken on sale.  This chicken was purchased at $.69/lb for a total of $3.12.  Cook immediately or let thaw in the refrigerator for several days.

 2) Cut the wrapper off the chicken and rinse thoroughly.

 3) (this part is gross) Depending on the chicken, the gibblets (or whatever the chicken insides are called) may or may not be packaged inside the bird.  If they are, you should simply be able to reach inside the chicken and remove the bag.  If they aren't, you actually have to touch its organs.  (The first time I did this it took me  a good ten minutes to summon the courage.)  Remove the organs and rinse inside the chicken.

4) Place the chicken in the crock pot.  Add six cups of water and desired seasonings.  (I do several shakes of poultry seasoning.)  Turn on low heat and cook for 7-8 hours.

5) Remove the chicken from crock pot and place in a shallow bowl.  LET COOL.  (As you can see, mine fell apart during the transfer.)

 5) While the chicken is cooling, remove the chicken broth and place in containers with lids.  Put these in the refrigerator.  Leave for 12-24 hours.  The fat will rise to the top and be very easy to scrape off.  Place in the freezer for future use.

6) Once chicken has cooled peel off skin and sort meat

 from bone.

 Place meat in freezer bags or freezer safe containers for future use.  We use them in soups, quesadillas, enchiladas, chicken salad - whatever we need!