Chicken thighs are a tasty and versatile food that can be cooked in a huge number of different ways. But before cooking a batch of juicy, flavorful thighs, a lot of home cooks want to know: how many bones are in a chicken thigh? Knowing this helps with preparation and improves your cooking skills.
Anatomy of a Chicken Thigh
A chicken thigh contains just one bone – the femur. The femur is the thick, round bone that runs through the center of the thigh. It connects to the knee joint on one end and the hip joint on the other.
While small bone fragments may occasionally occur during butchering, a complete, intact chicken thigh should only have a single femur bone.
Typical Number of Bones
The femur bone is the only bone that most chicken thighs have. However the exact number can vary slightly based on the .
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Size of the chicken: Larger breeds have bigger bones than smaller breeds.
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Age of the chicken Older chickens tend to have larger bones
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Quality of butchering: Improper butchering can sometimes leave bone fragments.
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A small piece of the pelvic bone may be found in the upper thigh, close to the hip joint.
Overall, a properly butchered, high-quality chicken thigh from a typical broiler chicken will contain only the femur bone.
Why It Matters
Knowing that a chicken thigh contains just one bone is useful for several reasons:
Buying Bone-In Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs with the bone in are readily available at most grocery stores. Typically, they cost slightly less per pound than boneless thighs. When purchasing bone-in thighs, look for:
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Meat that is freshly cut, not shredded.
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Minimal visible cartilage or bone fragments.
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Thighs that are similar in size, not overly large or small.
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Skin that is smooth and white, not discolored.
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Packaging that is well-sealed without leaks or tears.
Buying high-quality thighs ensures you get complete femur bones without undesirable fragments.
Removing the Femur Bone
While many recipes call for boneless thighs, it’s easy to DIY at home. To remove the femur:
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Place the thigh skin-side down on a cutting board.
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Cut along one side of the bone, separating it from the meat.
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Scrape the meat off the bone using short strokes.
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Cut or snap any remaining cartilage or tendons.
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Discard bone and trim excess fat or gristle.
Once you know how to do it, deboning chicken thighs only takes a few minutes. It allows versatile use of the boneless meat.
Cooking Bone-In Chicken Thighs
Because bone-in thighs take longer to cook, methods like braising, baking, or grilling work well. Ideal internal temperature is 165°F. Approximate cooking times:
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Baked: 45-60 minutes at 400°F
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Braised: 45-60 minutes on stovetop
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Grilled: 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway
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Instant Pot: 15 minutes high pressure
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Slow cooker: 6-8 hours on low
The bone infuses flavor and moisture into the meat. Just allow extra time compared to boneless thighs.
Nutritional Value
The bone contributes nutrients like calcium, collagen, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Other benefits include:
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High in protein – about 26g per 3 oz serving.
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Contains iron, zinc, B vitamins, selenium.
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Bone marrow provides healthy fats.
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More calories from protein than fat.
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Naturally gluten-free and keto-friendly.
Chicken thighs offer a powerhouse of nutrition, especially when the bones are included.
Understanding how many bones are in a chicken thigh leads to proper cooking techniques, safety precautions, enhanced nutrition, and less waste. Although small variations can occur based on breed, age, and butchering, a complete chicken thigh typically contains just one bone – the femur. With versatile preparation methods and excellent nutritional value, bone-in chicken thighs are a tasty and healthy addition to any meal.
How to Debone a Chicken Thigh
- Bone-in, skin-on or skinless chicken thighs (see notes)
- If you want skinless thighs that have skin on them, peel the skin off of them with your hands. You can hold the thigh down with the side of your knife as you work. Otherwise proceed with the skin attached. Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez .
- Place the thigh on a work surface with the rough side facing up. Then, find the single bone that runs through it just below the skin. You want to get rid of this bone with as little damage as possible to the meat. Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez .
- With the tip of the knife, cut a line through the meat along the length of the bone. Keep the fingers of the hand that doesn’t have the knife curled to protect them (raw chicken can be slippery!). Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez .
- Keep moving the knife slowly along the bone until the bone is fully visible. Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez .
- Grab one end of the bone with the hand that isn’t holding the knife (a piece of paper towel can help if it’s really slippery), and then use short, firm flicks to scrape and cut the meat off of the bone. A boning knife should have a curved bolster at the base of the blade that’s made for this job. Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez .
- The meat should be mostly off the bone at this point. Now, separate the end of the bone from the meat. Remove from the meat any gristle, bone, or cartilage that may still be on it. Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez .
- Trim off any excess fat and/or skin and discard. Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez .
How to Debone Chicken Thighs
FAQ
How many bones are in a chicken thigh?
On a work surface, set the thigh rough side up and locate the single bone that runs through it just under the flesh.
Is it easy to debone chicken thighs?
How many bones are in the thigh?
There is one bone in the human thigh, and it’s called the femur.
Do chicken thighs have bones in them when you buy them?
These are great for a lot of different recipes and dishes because they taste great and are versatile. You can make the most of each pack by making fun meals. They can come with the bone in or bone out depending on your preference.