Splitting the Chicken

First cut, put the chicken breast side down, and slice cleanly up the spine, pressing down so the blade cuts to the but not through the rib bones. NOW:  Turn the chicken upright, with the neck pressed into the cutting board, and cut straight down along the spine to open up the chicken. This can be difficult if your blade isn't the sharpest it could be.  Use two hands but be careful of the non handled end.  I place a hot pad over the blade and club it with my fist.

Open the chicken as if it were a book and press it flat against the cutting board; the sternum will begin to split and you'll be able to remove its bony central core by pulling it up. Cut through the center of the breast, lengthwise, and you'll have two chicken halves. One will have the neck attached; remove it by cutting through it with the knife, pressing down on the back of the blade with your other hand.