How to Truss a Chicken

By Danilo Alfaro

Culinary Arts Expert

1 of 9

Trussing Helps a Chicken Cook Evenly

Use to navigate.

How to truss a chicken for roasting - Michael Marquand / Getty Images

Photo Credit: Michael Marquand / Getty Images

Updated July 24, 2016.

Trussing a chicken is an important step in preparing a roasted chicken. Trussing involves tying the chicken snugly with kitchen twine so that the wings and legs stay close to the body. This makes the chicken more compact which helps it cook evenly. Trussing a chicken also helps prevent the tips of the wings and legs from burning, and makes the cooked chicken look more attractive when you serve it.

There are a few ways to truss a chicken, but what follows is the technique I use.

Show All

2 of 9

Start with Three Feet of Cooking Twine

Use to navigate.

Start with three feet of cooking twine - Photo © Danilo Alfaro

Start with three feet of cooking twine. Photo Credit: Photo © Danilo Alfaro

Show All

3 of 9

Position the Chicken

Use to navigate.

How to Truss a Chicken - Tutorial with Photos- Step 2: Position the Chicken - Photo © Danilo Alfaro

Photo Credit: Photo © Danilo Alfaro

Show All

4 of 9

Criss-Cross the Twine Around the Legs

Use to navigate.

How to Truss a Chicken - Tutorial with Photos- Step 3: Criss-Cross the Twine Around the Legs - Photo © Danilo Alfaro

Photo Credit: Photo © Danilo Alfaro

Show All

5 of 9

Pull the Twine Tight

Use to navigate.

How to Truss a Chicken - Tutorial with Photos- Step 4: Pull the Twine Tight - Photo © Danilo Alfaro

Photo Credit: Photo © Danilo Alfaro

Show All

6 of 9

Flip the Chicken Over

Use to navigate.

How to Truss a Chicken - Tutorial with Photos- Step 5: Flip the Chicken Over - Photo © Danilo Alfaro

Photo Credit: Photo © Danilo Alfaro

Show All

7 of 9

Secure the Twine and Tie a Knot

Use to navigate.

How to Truss a Chicken - Step 6: Secure the Twine and Tie a Knot - Photo © Danilo Alfaro

Photo Credit: Photo © Danilo Alfaro

Show All

8 of 9

The Final Trussed Chicken

Use to navigate.

How to Truss a Chicken - Tutorial with Photos- Step 7: The Final Trussed Chicken - Photo © Danilo Alfaro

Photo Credit: Photo © Danilo Alfaro

Show All

9 of 9

Ready to Roast

Use to navigate.

How to Truss a Chicken - Tutorial with Photos- Step 8: Ready to Roast - Photo © Danilo Alfaro

Photo Credit: Photo © Danilo Alfaro

Show All

Related Articles

Our Expert Recommends

Readers Recommend