How Do I Debone A Chicken Thigh?

I understand that your spouse brought chicken thighs with the bone in home in a package. You were going to use them for soup or, let’s say, tacos, but you’re stuck with them now.

You think, “Hey, there’s got to be a quick way to debone a chicken thigh,” and you Google it.

I can take care of you, and I’m happy you found my post. I’ll present you with some wonderful images, a moving image, as well as the written word.

Use Cases for Deboning Chicken Thighs

The most common application for this is when we want boneless chicken thighs with skin on, as in our recipe for Roasted Chicken with Sticky Rice.

Chicken thighs are usually sold bone-in/skin-on, or boneless/skinless. There’s no boneless, skin-on version at the grocery store!.

If a recipe calls for boneless thighs but all you have on hand are bone-in thighs in your fridge or freezer, this is another scenario you might run into.

The fact that the bone-in versions of chicken thighs are frequently significantly less expensive at the grocery store is another reason you might want to debone them.

If you purchase whole thighs, you can save money by deboning them yourself and using the bones to make stock (the best stock is my mom’s pork & chicken stock).

1. Okay, each thigh only needs to have one bone removed. Place the chicken thigh skin-side down on the cutting board to begin. Locate the bone that spans the entire thigh. Run a fine-tipped boning, paring, or chef’s knife along its length to expose the bone beneath the meat.

2. The meat can be separated from the bone using your fingers. Slice down both of the sides of the bone with an angled knife to further expose it. To cleanly remove the meat and prevent any meat from remaining on the bone, you can also scrape the knife along the bone.

3. Next, point your knife so it’s perpendicular to the bone. Make a cut underneath the bone while holding it up to separate it from the meat below. Slice the bone both ways to separate the meat from the middle shaft (located between the two ends). After that, cut all the way around and under one end of the bone to fully separate it from the meat.

4. Pull the bone vertically now that it is only attached at one end. Make a few more cuts to separate the meat’s other end.

Done! Don’t throw those bones away. Use them the following time you make chicken stock or our Pork and Chicken Stock by storing them in the freezer.

Looking for more authentic recipes? Subscribe to our email list and be sure to follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube!

Step 1: Locate the Joint

To begin, if you are using whole chicken legs, you must separate the drumstick from the thigh. To locate the articulation point, place your thumb over the joint and move the thigh bone back and forth with your other hand. This is where youll cut.

How to Debone a Chicken Thigh

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.5″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#1e1e1e” header_font=”||||||||” animation_style=”fold” animation_intensity_fold=”5%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Check out our easy step by step video

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”#wprm-recipe-container-5221″ button_text=”Jump to Recipe” module_class=”wprm-recipe-jump” _builder_version=”4. 4. 6″ custom_button=”on” button_use_icon=”off” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3. 25″ Custom_padding=”|30px||” Custom_Padding_Tablet=”|0px||” Custom_Padding_Phone=”” Custom_Padding_Last_Edited=”on|Desktop” Global_Colors_Info=”” Padding_Tablet=”|0px||” Padding_Last_Edited=”on|Desktop” Custom_Padding__Hover 4. 5″ global_colors_info=”{}”] [/et_pb_code][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Instructions” _builder_version=”4. 4. 1″ background_enable_=”off” background_size=”initial” min_height=”859px” custom_padding=”32px||32px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4. 4. 1″ custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3. 25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text content_last_edited=”off|desktop” admin_label=”Title” _builder_version=”4. 4. 6″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Cormorant Garamond|600|||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||15px|” animation_style=”fade” global_colors_info=”{}”].

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”Instructions Row” _builder_version=”3. 25″ custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3. 25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4. 4. 6″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#1e1e1e” header_font=”||||||||” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_line_height=”1. 8em” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”36px||36px|” animation_style=”fold” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_fold=”5%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” border_color_all=”rgba(51,51,51,0. 1)” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”].

Step 1

Lay the chicken thigh skin down on your cutting board

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_ src=”https://greenthumbfoodie. com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Debone-a-chicken-thigh-skin-down-1024×576. jpg” title_text=”Debone a chicken thigh skin down” _builder_version=”4. 4. 6″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”14px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4. 4. 6″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#1e1e1e” header_font=”||||||||” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_line_height=”1. 8em” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”36px||36px|” animation_style=”fold” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_fold=”5%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” border_color_all=”rgba(51,51,51,0. 1)” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”].

Step 2

Cut along the bone on one side with a shape knife.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_ src=”https://greenthumbfoodie. com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Debone-a-chicken-thigh-cut-along-bone-1-1024×576. jpg” title_text=”Debone a chicken thigh cut along bone 1″ _builder_version=”4. 4. 6″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”14px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4. 4. 6″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#1e1e1e” header_font=”||||||||” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_line_height=”1. 8em” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”36px||36px|” animation_style=”fold” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_fold=”5%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” border_color_all=”rgba(51,51,51,0. 1)” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”].

Step 3

Repeat along the other side of the bone

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_ src=”https://greenthumbfoodie. com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Debone-a-chicken-thigh-cut-along-bone-2-1024×576. jpg” title_text=”Debone a chicken thigh cut along bone 2″ _builder_version=”4. 4. 6″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”14px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3. 25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4. 4. 6″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#1e1e1e” header_font=”||||||||” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_line_height=”1. 8em” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”36px||36px|” animation_style=”fold” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_fold=”5%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” border_color_all=”rgba(51,51,51,0. 1)” border_width_bottom=”1px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”].

Step 4

Cut along the back of the bone by sliding the knife under it.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_ src=”https://greenthumbfoodie. com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Debone-a-chicken-thigh-cut-along-back-of-bone–1024×576. Debone a chicken thigh by cutting along the bone’s back in the image “debone.jpg” _builder_version=”4″ 4. 6″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”14px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4. 4. 6″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#1e1e1e” header_font=”||||||||” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_line_height=”1. 8em” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”36px||36px|” animation_style=”fold” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_fold=”5%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” border_color_all=”rgba(51,51,51,0. 1)” border_width_bottom=”1px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”].

Step 5

Remove the bone and the meat from the last piece of the joint.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_ src=”https://greenthumbfoodie. com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Debone-a-chicken-thigh-remove-bone-1024×576. jpg” title_text=”Debone a chicken thigh remove bone” _builder_version=”4. 4. 6″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”14px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4. 4. 6″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#1e1e1e” header_font=”||||||||” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_line_height=”1. 8em” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”36px||36px|” animation_style=”fold” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_intensity_fold=”5%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” border_color_all=”rgba(51,51,51,0. 1)” border_width_bottom=”1px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”].

Step 6

Remove any remaining gristle and bone

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_ src=”https://greenthumbfoodie. com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Debone-a-chicken-thigh-trim-1024×576. jpg” title_text=”Debone a chicken thigh trim” _builder_version=”4. 4. 6″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”14px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4. 4. 1″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_module=”2731″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4. 4. 1″ background_color=”#ff7864″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4. 4. et_pb_signup mailchimp_list=”4ae2c9c725″ name_field=”on” name_fullwidth=”off” first_name=”off” last_name=”off” email_fullwidth=”off” success_message=”Success! Please check your email” description=”

” _builder_version=”4. 4. 5′′ body_font=”|||||||” form_field_font=”|600|||||||” background_color=”#ff7864′′ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”18px” button_font=”|700||||||” text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”45px||||false|false” global_colors_info=””][/e 4. 1″ background_enable_=”off” background_size=”initial” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_module=”2360″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3. 25″ custom_margin=”24px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3. 25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” _builder_version=”3. 27. 4′′ text_font=”||||||||||” header_font=”||||||||||” header_2_font=”Cormorant Garamond|500|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#1e1e1e” header_2_font_size=”36px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||15px|” animation_style=”fade

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#cccccc” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”3. 2″ max_width=”80px” max_width_tablet=”100px” max_width_phone=”100px” max_width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” animation_style=”fade” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”3. 25″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3. _builder_version=”4″][et_pb_blog posts_number=”1″ include_categories=”1411″ use_manual_excerpt=”off” show_more=”on” show_author=”off” show_date=”off” show_categories=”off” show_excerpt=”off” show_pagination=”off”][et_pb_blog posts_number=”1″ global_colors_info=” 4. 1″ header_level=”h3″ header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”18px” read_more_text_color=”#e06100″ text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_blog][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3. 25″ custom_pagination=”off” offset_number=”1″ global_colors_info=”” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blog posts_number=”1″ include_categories=”1411″ use_manual_excerpt=”off” show_more=”on” show_author=”off” show_date=”off” show_categories=”off” show_excerpt=”off” 4. 1″ header_level=”h3″ header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”18px” read_more_text_color=”#e06100″ text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_blog][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3. 25″ custom_pagination=”off” offset_number=”2″ global_colors_info=”” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blog posts_number=”1″ include_categories=”1411″ use_manual_excerpt=”off” show_more=”on” show_author=”off” show_date=”off” show_categories=”off” show_excerpt=”off” 9. 2″ header_level=”h3″ header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”18px” read_more_text_color=”#e06100″ text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_blog][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4. 4. 6″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4. 4. 6″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4. 4. 6″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4. 4. 6″ global_colors_info=”{}”].

FAQ

Should you debone chicken thighs before cooking?

For recipes, you might debone the chicken after cooking it in stews, soups, and curries. But shortening the total cooking time by boning the chicken before cooking Additionally, you should debone the chicken thigh before cooking it if your recipe calls for a whole, intact thigh.