We’ve all heard of pork ribs, and beef ribs are fairly ubiquitous as well. But what is rib meat in chicken, and what can you use it for? We used to wonder about these things too, which is why we put together this guide.
A lot of home cooks are interested in chicken ribs. The name may be confusing, though, because chicken ribs are actually a piece of breast meat with rib bones attached to it. If you want to know what chicken ribs are, where they come from on the chicken, how they taste, and how to cook them–read on!
What Part of the Chicken Do Chicken Ribs Come From?
There are a few things you need to know about chicken before you can understand chicken ribs. Every animal has ribs, but a chicken’s are very thin and mostly made of cartilage. The ribs are made up of these bones that connect to the breastbone or sternum.
Chicken ribs sold in stores are not actually ribs at all. They are strips of breast meat that have a portion of the sternum and rib cartilage still attached. This cut comes from the area where the breast muscle connects to the ribs and sternum.
In essence, chicken ribs are a mix of lean white breast meat, small rib bones, and cartilage. They are called “ribs” for marketing reasons, so people will think of pork or beef ribs when they hear this cut.
Why Are They Called Ribs if They’re Not Actually Ribs?
Producers came up with the name “chicken ribs” as a way to market and sell this section of the chicken at a lower price point. Since the cut includes bones and cartilage it can’t be sold as high-value boneless chicken breast.
By calling it “ribs,” the company gives customers a familiar word to use when they want to buy cheap meat for grilling or braising. The name helps sell the cut, even though it’s not really ribs.
Flavor and Texture of Chicken Ribs
The flavor and texture of chicken ribs differ from typical boneless, skinless chicken breasts:
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The rib bones add richness and a more savory, meaty taste as the bones impart flavor during cooking.
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The breast meat itself is lean, mild and delicate like a chicken breast.
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When cooked properly, the rib meat remains very moist and tender.
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The cartilage provides a unique crunchy texture contrast to the tender meat.
Overall, chicken ribs offer a hearty meaty flavor balanced by the mildness of the lean breast meat. The combo of textures from the tender meat and crispy cartilage make this cut unique.
How Should You Cook Chicken Ribs?
There are several good cooking methods for chicken ribs:
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Grilling – The high dry heat of the grill crisps the exterior while keeping the inside juicy. Marinate first for extra flavor. Cook 15-20 minutes per side.
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Baking – Requires little effort. Bake at 375°F for 30-40 minutes until cooked through.
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Braising – Browning then braising in liquid creates fall-off-the-bone tender ribs.
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Frying – Deep fry or pan fry to make extra crispy chicken ribs. Use flour or batter.
Proper seasoning is important to bring out the best flavor. Dry rubs, marinades, and sauces complement chicken ribs wonderfully.
Nutrition Facts of Chicken Ribs
Since chicken ribs mostly consist of lean breast meat, they are a healthy source of protein with fewer calories and fat compared to pork or beef ribs.
A 3 oz serving of chicken ribs provides around 110 calories, 1 g fat, 0 carbs and 22 g protein. They are rich in B vitamins, selenium, choline and phosphorus.
Buying and Preparing Chicken Ribs
When buying chicken ribs:
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Look for them in the poultry section, often labeled as “chicken riblets”.
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Inspect for freshness – the ribs should look moist and the meat shouldn’t have dried or brown areas.
To prepare:
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Thaw completely if frozen
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Trim off any excess fat or cartilage
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Pat dry before cooking
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Season generously with spices, herbs or marinades
Freezing Chicken Ribs
It’s easy to freeze chicken ribs for longer storage:
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Portion ribs into freezer bags or airtight containers. Remove air.
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Freeze for up to 4 months at 0°F.
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Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
Serving Ideas for Chicken Ribs
Chicken ribs pair well with various flavors. Consider:
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Barbecue sauce, Buffalo sauce or honey mustard
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Jerk seasoning or Cajun dry rub
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Teriyaki or soy ginger marinade
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Lemon pepper or garlic herb seasoning
Serve ribs with side dishes like mashed potatoes, rice, beans or slaw. They also work in stir fries, tacos, pasta and more.
Are Chicken Ribs Expensive?
Chicken ribs are very economical, usually costing $2-3 per pound. This makes them one of the most budget-friendly cuts of chicken.
Boneless skinless chicken breasts normally cost $4-6 per pound in comparison. You get the convenience of boneless with chicken ribs, but save money thanks to the bones.
Key Takeaways on Chicken Ribs
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Chicken ribs are cuts of breast meat with rib bones attached. They don’t contain full ribs.
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The “rib” name is for marketing since they cost less than boneless breasts.
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Chicken ribs have a meaty flavor and mix of textures from the meat, bones and cartilage.
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Many cooking methods work well, especially grilling, baking and braising.
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Chicken ribs are nutritious with lots of lean protein and fewer calories than pork/beef ribs.
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An affordable choice, chicken ribs cost less than boneless chicken breast.
So while chicken ribs may seem unusual, they are simply an inventively named, budget-friendly cut that’s versatile in the kitchen. Once you understand exactly what they are, it’s easy to start cooking with chicken ribs.
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White Meat vs. Dark Meat
When it comes to chickens, the white meat is located primarily in the breast region. The wings are also considered white meat, but they don’t offer as much of it.
The legs, which consist of the thighs and drumsticks, are considered dark meat. Because these areas get more exercise, they have higher levels of myoglobin, which is a protein that delivers oxygen to the muscles. That’s what gives meat its red color.
While the white meat is more tender, the dark meat offers more flavor and a richer texture. Both have their benefits and drawbacks, which is why it can be difficult to choose one over the other.
Is Chicken Rib Meat Better Than Breast Meat?
We wouldn’t say that it’s better, but it’s not necessarily inferior, either. While the breast is a popular cut—and with good reason—the rib meat offers more authentic chicken flavor.
Often, consumers balk when they see the words “with rib meat” included on a label. That’s usually because they aren’t familiar with the rib meat, and are therefore unsure whether they’ll like it.
Visually, you should be able to tell when there’s rib meat attached. The meat will be noticeably darker in key areas. That will make it easier to remove the rib meat if you choose to do so (see section below).
To be honest, though, once you’ve cooked the chicken, you probably won’t notice the rib meat at all. And if you do, you may be pleasantly surprised.
On the other hand, if you’ve tried the rib meat and found it unappetizing, you can always trim it off yourself. It can be used to make stock or soup, or you can simply discard it.
Chicken rib meat offers the same nutritional benefits as chicken breast. It’s an excellent source of protein, as well as vitamins B6 and B12. It also contains niacin, magnesium, and essential amino acids.
The rib portion may have a few more calories and fat than the breast because it has more hemoglobin in it. But since there won’t be that much rib meat included to begin with, this shouldn’t be a cause for concern.
Chicken “Rib Meat”: What is it?
FAQ
What part of the chicken are chicken ribs?
The ribs are the scapula bones of the chicken. This cut has a more meat-to-bone ratio when compared to wings or drumettes but has the same flavor payoff for being close to the bone. Essentially white meat, the ribs also have the same nutritional value as breast meat.
What is chicken rib meat made of?
Rib meat is the meat attached to 1 side of the ribs. These are skinless chicken breasts that have the ribs removed (hence the boneless on the label). The ribmeat label means that the meat from the ribs was not removed during the deboning process.
What does the phrase chicken ribs mean?
An idiom or phrase that means you don’t want to give up something that is no longer useful.
Are chicken ribs any good?
These are so good that my partner and I prefer them to the deep fried version. Using skinless chicken ribs makes them a lighter choice than your typical fried chicken wing. And you don’t miss out on any flavour.