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Best Kitchen Shears for Cutting Chicken (2026)
By MyAwesomeBuy Research Team · Updated April 8, 2026 · Our Methodology
4 models compared23,584+ reviews analyzed
No manufacturer paid for placement. Rankings based on verified buyer review data.
Quick Answer
The Cuisinart C77-SHR8B 8-Inch Kitchen Shears is our top pick for Kitchen Shears for Cutting Chicken. Extremely affordable — under $13. For budget shoppers, the Wusthof Come-Apart Kitchen and Poultry Shears offers solid value at a lower price.
Best for: Budget cooks who need basic kitchen shears for everyday tasks without spending more than $15
“Cuisinart's budget shears are the best option if you need functional kitchen shears under $15 — they include come-apart cleaning, adequate sharpness for everyday tasks, and reasonable durability from ”
The Cuisinart C77-SHR8B 8-Inch Kitchen Shears are the everyday-capable value pick — forged stainless steel blades, micro-serrated edge grips slippery chicken skin without sliding, and the integrated bottle opener, nutcracker, and jar grip extend their utility beyond meat prep. At ~$15 they come apart for dishwasher cleaning — essential for chicken prep hygiene. Common complaints: the handle grip can feel small for users with large hands. vs OXO: both are quality kitchen shears at similar prices; OXO's ergonomic handle is softer. vs Wusthof: Wusthof's German steel is objectively sharper out of the box and longer-lasting.
Full Specs & Measurements
Upc
086279087812
Asin
B016Z738P0
Color
Black
Handle
Soft grip
Blade Edge
fine edge
Brand Name
Cuisinart
Come Apart
Yes
Unit Count
1.0 Count
Item Weight
5.01 ounces
Blade Length
3.5 inches
Finish Types
Brushed
Manufacturer
Cuisinart
Model Number
C77-SHR8B
Material Type
Stainless Steel
Product Style
Kitchen Black
Blade Material
Stainless Steel
Extra Features
Bottle opener, bone notch
Item Type Name
Cuisinart-Shears
Dishwasher Safe
Yes (when separated)
Handle Material
Stainless Steel
Number Of Items
1
Hand Orientation
Ambidextrous
Best Sellers Rank
#9,027 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining) #35 in Kitchen Shears
Included Components
8" All-Purpose Shears
Item Dimensions L X W
0.75"L x 4.25"W
Manufacturer Part Number
C77-SHR8B
Manufacturer Warranty Description
Lifetime Warranty
Global Trade Identification Number
00086279087812, 20086279087816
Also Excellent
OXO Good Grips Kitchen Shears
$21
at Amazon
Best for: Everyday cooking tasks where comfort and convenience matter more than heavy-duty bone cutting
“OXO's kitchen shears prioritize ergonomics and accessibility over maximum cutting performance — the soft-grip handles are the most comfortable in this roundup, the herb stripper holes are useful, and ”
The OXO Good Grips Kitchen Shears bring OXO's signature ergonomic design to poultry prep — soft non-slip handles, micro-serrated blade edge for grip on chicken skin, and a pull-apart design for cleaning. At ~$15 they're priced identically to the Cuisinart. Common complaints: the blade spring (some versions have a spring return) can be stiff at first. vs Cuisinart: nearly identical price and capability — OXO's handle ergonomics are better for users with hand fatigue or arthritis. vs Zwilling: Zwilling's German steel is a clear upgrade at 2x the price. OXO is the pick for buyers who value ergonomics above blade steel quality.
Full Specs & Measurements
Upc
719812019611
Asin
B000KILLXM
Color
Multicolor
Handle
Soft non-slip grip
Blade Edge
Serrated
Brand Name
OXO
Come Apart
Yes
Unit Count
1 Count
Item Weight
0.22 Pounds
Point Style
Scissors
Blade Length
3.75 Inches
Finish Types
Brushed
Manufacturer
OXOX9
Model Number
1072121
Material Type
Stainless Steel
Product Style
Scissors
Blade Material
Stainless Steel
Extra Features
Herb stripper, bottle opener, bone notch, jar opener
Item Type Name
OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Kitchen & Herbs Scissors, Shears
Dishwasher Safe
Yes (when separated)
Handle Material
Stainless Steel
Number Of Items
1
Hand Orientation
Ambidextrous
Best Sellers Rank
#1,482 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining) #5 in Kitchen Shears
Included Components
OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Kitchen & Herbs Scissors, Shears
Item Dimensions L X W
8.7"L x 3.5"W
Manufacturer Part Number
1072121
Manufacturer Warranty Description
Satisfaction Guaranteed! If for any reason you are not satisfied with an OXO product, return it for replacement or refund.
Best Budget
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin L Kitchen Shears
$44
at Amazon
Best for: Premium German forged kitchen shears for lifelong use
“Zwilling's Twin L shears are built to last a lifetime — forged (not stamped) German steel, bone notch for tough poultry tasks, and Zwilling's lifetime warranty that backs the premium price.”
The Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin L Kitchen Shears are the premium German-steel pick — polished stainless blades with micro-serration, spring-assisted opening reduces hand fatigue on repetitive cutting, and the integrated bone notch handles poultry bone spatchcocking. At ~$35 they're the most expensive here. Common complaints: the spring mechanism adds complexity vs manual shears; hand-wash only recommended to preserve the blades. vs Wusthof: both are premium German kitchen shears in the same price tier. vs Henckels International: Zwilling's steel is noticeably superior. For cooks who process whole chickens or spatchcock poultry regularly, the bone notch and spring assist justify the cost.
Full Specs & Measurements
Asin
B00008WUU8
Color
Black
Cleaning
Separable blades
Features
Bone notch
Warranty
Lifetime
Blade Edge
Straight
Brand Name
HENCKELS
Item Width
2.83 Inches
Unit Count
1.0 Count
Item Length
8.07 Inches
Item Weight
0.2 Pounds
Point Style
standard
Blade Length
3.74 Inches
Construction
Forged German stainless
Finish Types
Corrosion Resistant,Plastic,Smooth,Steel
Manufacturer
Zwilling J.A. Henckels AG
Model Number
1005565
Material Type
Stainless Steel
Product Style
Modern
Blade Material
Stainless Steel
Item Type Name
TWIN L Multi-Purpose Scissors
Handle Material
Plastic,Stainless,Steel
Number Of Items
1
Hand Orientation
Left Hand
Best Sellers Rank
#107,289 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining) #282 in Kitchen Shears
Item Dimensions L X W
4.8"L x 0.2"W
Manufacturer Part Number
41370-001-0
Global Trade Identification Number
04009839059742
Worth Considering
Wusthof Come-Apart Kitchen and Poultry Shears
$29
at Amazon
Best for: German steel come-apart shears for thorough cleaning and bone cutting
“Wüsthof's German steel shears disassemble completely at the pivot for thorough cleaning — essential for raw meat hygiene. The high-carbon steel blade cuts through chicken backbone and small bones that”
The Wusthof Come-Apart Kitchen and Poultry Shears are the premium benchmark — high-carbon Wusthof steel blades that separate fully for dishwasher cleaning, a micro-serrated edge with a poultry bone notch, and the full-tang construction Wusthof applies to its knives. At ~$40 they're the quality ceiling here. Common complaints: 'come-apart' requires press of a button mechanism — some users find it fiddly. The price premium vs the Zwilling is difficult to justify for most home cooks. vs Zwilling Twin L: both are premium German shears at similar prices; Wusthof's brand consistency with a knife set is the deciding factor. Recommended for Wusthof knife set owners wanting a matching shear quality.
Full Specs & Measurements
Asin
B00AL1J1IU
Color
Black
Steel
German high-carbon
Cutting
Chicken backbone capable
Warranty
Lifetime Wüsthof
Brand Name
Wüsthof
Unit Count
1.0 Count
Disassemble
Come-apart pivot
Item Weight
5.3 Ounces
Blade Length
3 Inches
Finish Types
Powder Coated
Manufacturer
Wusthof
Model Number
5558-1
Material Type
Stainless Steel
Product Style
Classic
Blade Material
Stainless Steel
Item Type Name
Kitchen Shears
Handle Material
Stainless Steel
Number Of Items
1
Hand Orientation
Ambidextrous
Best Sellers Rank
#102,596 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining) #274 in Kitchen Shears
Included Components
Wusthof Come-Apart Kitchen Shears, Black (5558-1)
Item Dimensions L X W
8"L x 4"W
Manufacturer Part Number
5558-1
Global Trade Identification Number
04002293555836
Kitchen Shears for Cutting Chicken (2026) Buying Guide
Photo by Bimbim Sindu / Pexels
Our Top Pick
Cuisinart C77-SHR8B 8-Inch Kitchen Shears at $7.95 — Cuisinart C77-SHR8B 8-Inch Kitchen Shears — verified active product.
Budget Pick: Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin L Kitchen Shears at $19.95 — a solid choice if you're watching your budget.
Kitchen Shears Comparison
Model
Blade Steel
Dishwasher Safe
Bone Notch
Handle Feature
Price
Cuisinart C77-SHR8B
Forged stainless
Yes (comes apart)
No
Multi-tool integrated
~$15
OXO Good Grips
Stainless steel
Yes (comes apart)
No
Soft non-slip grip
~$15
Henckels International
Stainless (Chinese)
Yes
No
Standard
~$20
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin L
German stainless
Hand-wash recommended
Yes
Spring-assisted
~$35
Wusthof Come-Apart
Wusthof high-carbon
Yes (comes apart)
Yes
Full-tang comfort
~$40
Blade material
high-carbon stainless resists corrosion and holds sharpness longer than standard stainless. Spring-loaded handles open automatically — reduces hand fatigue on repeated cuts. Disassembles at the pivot: allows thorough cleaning of the blade joint where raw meat bacteria accumulates. Serrated blade edge: grips chicken skin and cuts without slipping. Micro-serration keeps shears cutting accurately longer between sharpenings.
Quick Decision: Budget matters most → Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin L Kitchen Shears. Quality matters most → Cuisinart C77-SHR8B 8-Inch Kitchen Shears.
Heavy-duty kitchen shears (OXO, Wüsthof) cut through small chicken bones — drumette joints, backbone, and rib bones. They should NOT be used on large bones like beef leg bones — use a cleaver instead. For spatchcocking (removing backbone to flatten chicken), quality kitchen shears are the correct tool and should handle it in 3-4 cuts.
Do kitchen shears need to be dishwasher safe?
Dishwasher safe is ideal for kitchen shears — they contact raw meat. However, high heat dishwasher cycles can dull blade edges faster than hand washing. Best practice: hand wash immediately after raw meat contact (food safety), then dry thoroughly to prevent rust. Some premium shears are dishwasher safe but recommend hand washing to preserve sharpness.
How do I sharpen kitchen shears?
Most kitchen shears can be sharpened at home: disassemble at the pivot, lay the blade flat on a whetstone (sharpening stone) at a 20-degree angle, stroke 5-10 times per side like a knife. Alternatively, use a pull-through scissors sharpener (quick but less precise). Professional sharpening services sharpen shears most accurately. Replace shears that have chipped or bent blades.
What should I look for when buying kitchen shears?
The most important factors when buying kitchen shears are build quality, value for money, and fit for your specific use case. Read verified buyer reviews to understand real-world performance. Our comparison above ranks the top options based on quality, price, and user satisfaction.
How much should I expect to spend on kitchen shears?
Price varies widely by brand, materials, and features. Our top picks represent the best value at each price tier. Spending more generally gets you better build quality and longer lifespan, but mid-range options often hit the best balance for most buyers.
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