How Many Bones Are in a Chicken Thigh?

Chicken thighs are a delicious and versatile staple that can be prepared in endless ways. But before cooking up a batch of juicy, savory thighs, many home cooks wonder – how many bones are in a chicken thigh? Understanding the anatomy of a chicken thigh ensures proper preparation and enhances culinary 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

On average most chicken thighs contain just the single femur bone. However the exact number can vary slightly based on the

• Size of the chicken: Larger breeds have bigger bones than smaller breeds.

• Age of the chicken Older chickens tend to have larger bones

• Quality of butchering: Improper butchering can sometimes leave bone fragments.

• Part of the thigh: The upper thigh near the hip joint may contain a small piece of the pelvic bone.

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:

• Meat that is freshly cut, not shredded.

• Minimal visible cartilage or bone fragments.

• Thighs that are similar in size, not overly large or small.

• Skin that is smooth and white, not discolored.

• 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:

• Place the thigh skin-side down on a cutting board.

• Cut along one side of the bone, separating it from the meat.

• Scrape the meat off the bone using short strokes.

• Cut or snap any remaining cartilage or tendons.

• Discard bone and trim excess fat or gristle.

Deboning chicken thighs takes just a few minutes once you get the technique down. 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:

• Baked: 45-60 minutes at 400°F

• Braised: 45-60 minutes on stovetop

• Grilled: 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway

• Instant Pot: 15 minutes high pressure

• 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:

• High in protein – about 26g per 3 oz serving.

• Contains iron, zinc, B vitamins, selenium.

• Bone marrow provides healthy fats.

• More calories from protein than fat.

• 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.

Deboning chicken thighs is generally considered an easy task, especially with some practice.

There is one bone in the human thigh, and it’s called the femur.