Things You'll Need:
- Chicken
- Medium to large pot
- Water
- Knife
- Dish
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Step 1
Purchase some chicken from your local grocery store or market. You could buy a whole chicken or various parts, depending on your preference for dark or white meat. Breasts and wings are white meat, whereas legs and thighs are dark meat. Dark meat generally is cheaper than white meat.
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Step 2
Thaw the chicken if necessary. If you bought the chicken and froze it first, thaw it by placing it in a large bowl in the refrigerator. The chicken will take several hours to thaw.
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Step 3
Prepare the chicken by washing it under cool, running water. Remove the skin and throw it away. You can pull most of the skin right off with your hands, but you may need to use a knife for parts that don't pull off easily.
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Step 4
Place the chicken in a medium- to large-size pot. Cover the chicken with water, and place it on the stove. Turn the burner to the high setting until the water comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-high so that the water is gently boiling. Continue to boil until meat is nearly falling off the bones. This can take up to an hour, depending on how much chicken you are cooking.
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Step 5
Remove the chicken from the water and allow to cool. Separate the meat from the bones by gently pulling. Save the meat in a bowl and discard the bones. The chicken is ready to be used in a variety of recipes, such as chicken pot pie and chicken enchiladas. The broth left over from cooking chicken also adds flavor to many dishes.
