Best Knife for Cutting A Cooked Chicken

Last update on 2026-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2026-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Properly cutting up cooked chicken requires technical knowledge, skill and practice. Above all, it’s necessary to have the right and best knife for cutting a cooked chicken.

Inexperienced cooks may use the same knife for every chore. This will do in a pinch, but if you really want to be efficient and cut waste to a minimum, then it’s essential to buy purpose-specific knives.

Key features the Best Knife for Cutting A Cooked Chicken should have

In this case, what’s necessary is a carving knife. These knives generally have a long, thin blade that makes it easy to carve around bone and cartilage. With its sharp, tapered point, the carving knife is easy to distinguish.

Another element that makes the carving knife distinctive is that it’s not serrated. Frequently, these knives will have what is called a Granton edge. This edge consists of shallow dimples that run along both sides of the blade. The dimples prevent the meat slices from sticking to the blade.

The blade itself must be quite sharp and smooth. This allows for the cleanest, most effortless cuts. Ideally, the blade is thin, which helps to eliminate sawing. Flexibility is crucial, as the knife needs to be maneuvered around bones and cartilage.

Handle comfort similarly must be considered. If the knife isn’t comfortable in your hand, then you won’t use it. The knife’s handle should feel natural in your hand, and the entire tool should feel well-balanced.

Blade length is an vital determinant of a quality carving knife. Eight inches is likely the shortest that a carving knife should be. The best knife for chicken should be 10 or 11 inches being a more desirable length for slicing larger cuts.

Now we know what we are looking for and what the best knife for carving chicken is like. But just like any tool, it isn’t any good if you don’t know how to use it. Carving chicken can be quite hard if you don’t know how to do it properly. And your knife can’t do all the work for you either.

How to Cut a Cooked Chicken

It can be quite daunting when we are faced with a task we’ve never done before. And cutting cooked chicken seems like one of the most daunting. That’s why I will try and break the process into short and simple commands. That way, you can follow step by step and make sure to have the best result possible. Once you have enough practice it will come as easy as breathing!

First things first

First you need to place your chicken on a board and flip it so the breast side is facing upwards. Then, slowly pull one of the legs away from the rest of the bird. This way you should be able to see where the leg and the body are joined. This is where you will make your first cut. You need to cut through skin and meat until you reach the bone. 

Then…

Secondly, when you reach the bone do not cut through it. Pull the leg back with a fair amount of force. This way the hip joint should be exposed. You need to pull until the hip bone in the joint pops up. 

Finally

The third step is to place your knife between the end of the hip bone and the chicken body. It is there that you will make your cut. Push your knife straight down until the leg has been separated from the body. 

In order to separate the drumstick from the thigh, all you need is force. Place your chicken knife above the joint and cut straight through. Once this is done you can repeat the process with the other leg.

To cut the breast, you will need to place your knife along one side of the breastbone. Make your cut from the front to the back of the chicken. As you cut through the meat, pull the breast meat away from the bone. Once this is done, place the breast meat on the board skin side up and slice it. Then repeat this process with the other breast. 

After that, all that is left to do is presenting your platter.

Top 10 of the Best Knife For Cutting a Cooked Chicken

Here are my favorite picks for knives that excel at cutting up cooked chicken.

1. Wusthof Classic 9-inch Carving Knife

Last update on 2026-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

It would be difficult to find a higher quality carving knife than this one. It is not an inexpensive piece of cutlery. However, this is a knife that lasts a lifetime.

The nine-inch length of the blade is ideal for carving chicken and some larger cuts of meat. With the blade being thin, narrow and pointed, it’s the perfect shape for carving. It’s forged from a single piece of high-carbon stainless steel.

On the handle, is a full tang, which means that the handle is solidly connected to both sides of the blade. Moreover, the handle is triple riveted to the blade.

The Wusthof comes with a limited lifetime warranty and features superior balance and flexibility. The synthetic handle is dishwasher safe, but the manufacturer recommends hand washing.

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2. Victorinox 12-inch Fibrox Pro Slicing Knife with Granton Blade

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Last update on 2026-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Victorinox has a long history as a blade maker. It should come as little surprise that they make a superior carving knife. And as a spoiler alert I will this might be the best knife for cutting a cooked chicken

This model from Victorinox is less expensive than the Wusthof, and it has the Granton blade that is recommended for slicing cooked meat and poultry.

At 12 inches, this knife is equal to the task of slicing into any size or cut of meat. The blade is suitably long and narrow, and the tool comes with a lifetime warranty against the manufacturer’s defects.

The blade is constructed of high-carbon stainless steel, and it is remarkably sharp. The manufacturer warrants that it will not tear or shred meat fibers. Proper sharpening helps the blade retain its edge.

With an ergonomically designed handle that is part of the patented Fibrox Pro line, this knife is easy to hold and won’t slip in your hand. Wrist tension is minimized, and the National Sanitary Foundation has certified this product.

Wash by hand to keep your Victorinox good as new.

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3. Mercer Cutlery Genesis 8-inch Forged Chef’s Granton Edge Knife

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This offering from Mercer Cutlery is inexpensive, but that doesn’t mean you’ll sacrifice quality. With a limited lifetime warranty, you could use this carving knife for decades.

At eight inches in length, this blade is ideal for carving cooked chicken. It has the useful Granton edge to assist with easy slicing. The Santoprene handle is ergonomic and non-slip, so you’ll be safe and comfortable. Moreover, the handle is designed to withstand temperature extremes and exposure to common kitchen oils.

The blade is constructed of German cutlery steel that resists rust and discoloration. A sturdy bolster provides additional strength and durability. The full tang gives more support and ensures that you can use this knife forever.

This knife has been certified by the National Sanitary Foundation, and it should be washed by hand to preserve it.

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4. Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Revolution Series 8-inch Professional Chef’s Knife

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Last update on 2026-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Because it’s got an eight-inch blade, this knife is ideal for cutting up cooked chicken. Unlike the other knives in this review, this one is ceramic.

Some experts believe that a ceramic blade has distinct advantages over a steel one. For instance, the ceramic blade is made from zirconia, a substance that is second only to diamonds on the hardness scale. This makes it a tough blade that retains its edge longer than a steel blade.

Ceramic blades are impervious to acids and oils. They also do not rust. The handle is lightweight, ergonomic and carefully balanced.

One potential disadvantage to this knife is that you must have a manufacturer-specific sharpener to keep it working as good as new. Alternatively, you can send it back to the company periodically to have it professionally sharpened.

5. HENCKELS Solution Steak Knife Set

Last update on 2026-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This chicken knife set is made of stainless steel. The blade is stamped and made exclusively for precision. This is a durable knife set designed for long-lasting sharpness. They are lightweight and maneuverable, perfect for cutting chicken. The blade is a little on the short side but its quality should make up for that.

The handle is a traditional triple-rivet handle. Polished to be ergonomic and comfortable to hold. 

Although the product description seems fancy, has some downside. The blades do not make clean cuts which makes for sloppy knifework. The “stainless” steel blade is known to tarnish from time to time as well. 

If you are looking for a cheap, everyday knife set then this is the one for you. If you are looking for something a little fancier I would suggest you keep looking.

6. Victorinox Pro Curved Boning Knife

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This deboning tool might be the best reviewed out there. It has a sharp tip to pierce meat easily and a thin blade ideal for delicate cuts. The curved edge of the blade cuts beautifully close to and around the bone. It is easy to maneuver and has an ergonomic, non-slip pro handle.

Even though the blade is six inches, this tool is designed for precision and easy use. It meets the National Sanitation Foundation standards for public health protection. And it has a lifetime warranty! 

Even if it is a little short, this might just be the best knife for carving chicken. It checks all the boxes  and is also quite versatile. Reviewers will agree that this is a definite must buy.

7. Kutt Professional Kitchen Knife

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This fifteen inch chicken knife is a durable, stainless steel piece. It is rust and stain resistant. This durable, multipurpose knife will be your best friend in the kitchen. 

It has an ergonomic, polished wood handle. And comes with a complementary fingerguard and  odor removing soap. 

This knife comes with a lifetime warranty and a 100% satisfaction or money back policy. 

The cost- quality relation is good overall. This is the best knife for chicken a rookie cook will find.

This chicken knife is not dishwasher safe and should be washed always by hand. And because it is stainless steel you won’t have to worry about staining or metal poisoning in your food.

8. Kitchen + Home Non Stick Knife

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This is a two piece set of thirteen inches knives. The blades are stainless steel and coated in a PFOA free “teflon” coating. These non-stick knives have an aerated blade to reduce sticking. The blades are eight inches long, durable and razor sharp. The handle has an ergonomic, non-slip ABS design.  These knives are lightweight and dishwasher safe. Although, as any knife, it is recommended to wash them by hand to make them long lasting.

After a couple of uses the coating seems to peel off. This does have an explanation, though. As I have stated in other articles, teflon-like coatings are not well suited for dishwashers. Even if the description says otherwise. So if you want your non-stick coating to last longer, wash your knives yourself and you’ll have no trouble.

9. Mercer Culinary Ultimate Curved Boning Knife

Last update on 2026-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Another mercer culinary knife. This carving knife is made of japanese carbon steel. It is stain resistant and easy to maintain. The blade is quick to sharpen and easy to take care of . The ergonomic design of the handle is slip resistant and made of polypropylene. Just like many other kitchen knives, this one needs to be washed by hand and is not dishwasher safe. This knife is more on the smaller side, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in quality. It is easy to maneuver and store. And it is also very versatile. 

This knife is certified by the NSF and has a limited lifetime warranty. You will get a great quality chicken knife for a great value. The reviews speak for themselves!

10. Best Poultry Shears Chicken Scissors for Meat

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Even though shears cannot be classified as knives, there is a good reason they are on this list. These pairs are specially made to cut through meat and to debone chicken. Shears give you an increased amount of control over your cuts when compared to knives. Don’t believe me? The grip in these bad boys is designed to suit both right, and left-handed people. The spring-loaded handles make use much more comfortable than the dead weight of a knife. 

This pair of shares are made of thick, sharp, high-grade stainless steel. Its ergonomic design and durability speak for themselves. It is also a very fancy tool to have when you are trying to impress someone. This special piece of cutlery has also got a lifetime warranty.

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My Pick Best Knife To Carve Chicken

Although all of the knives on this list are worthy, the Wusthof Classic Carving Knife, One Size, Black, Stainless Steel is my favorite and for me this is the best knife for cutting a cooked chicken. It’s expensive, but its length is perfect, and I love its weight and balance. The blade has an ideal amount of flexibility, so that I feel like a pro in the kitchen.

Additional Resources:

• Imamother – Knife for Slicing Chicken breast into Thin Slices
• Big Green Egg, Egghead Forum – Good Meat Cutting Knife?