Cooking meat to the correct internal temperature is critical to ensure the safety of those who will be consuming the meat. There is no bigger risk for pathogens and foodborne illnesses than when you cook poultry, such as chicken. This guide will show you where to check the temperature of a whole chicken so that you don’t get food poisoning.
Hey, crazy cooks! Have you ever been staring at a whole chicken with a knife in it and wondered where the thigh was hiding? I’ve been there, and it’s not as hard as it looks. If you’re new to handling a whole bird or just want to make sure before you roast, grill, or chop it, I’ll show you exactly where the thigh is. Let me give you a hint: once you know where to look, you can’t miss it. So, grab a coffee (or a beer, I don’t care) and let’s go!
Quick Answer: Where’s the Thigh At?
Let me tell you right away that the thigh on a whole chicken is part of the leg. It’s right between the bird’s body and the drumstick, which is the lower leg piece we all fight over. It’s the chunkier top part of the leg that’s full of dark, tasty meat. If your chicken is on the counter with its breast side up, look at the end where the legs stick out. By pulling one of those legs away from the body, you can see the thigh. It’s that thick, meaty part right next to the neck.
Wanna spot it easy? The thigh is usually a bit hidden under skin when the bird’s whole, but it’s got a rounder, fuller shape compared to the skinny drumstick. It’s also darker in tone once ya cut into it, unlike the pale breast meat up top. Got it? Cool, but stick with me ‘cause knowin’ where it is ain’t just trivia—it’s gonna save your dinner.
Why Does Findin’ the Thigh Even Matter?
Now that we know more about the chicken map, let’s talk about why it’s important to find the thigh. The thigh isn’t just any piece of meat; it’s kind of important for cooking a whole chicken. Here’s why .
- Safety First: The thigh is the thickest, densest part of the bird. It takes longer to cook than the breast or wings. If ya don’t check its temp, you might pull the chicken out too soon, leavin’ it raw inside. Undercooked chicken? Nope, that’s a one-way ticket to tummy trouble.
- Juicy Goodness: Thighs are dark meat, meanin’ they got more fat and connective tissue. That makes ‘em juicier and more forgivin’ if ya cook ‘em a tad longer, unlike the breast which dries out faster than a desert.
- Cuttin’ It Up: If you’re breakin’ down a whole chicken to save some bucks (more on that later), knowin’ where the thigh is helps ya separate it clean without manglin’ the meat.
So yeah, whether you’re roasin’ or choppin’, the thigh is your North Star. Let’s get a better picture of the whole bird to nail this down.
Mappin’ Out a Whole Chicken: A Quick Anatomy Lesson
Alright, picture this: you got a whole chicken sittin’ on your counter, fresh from the store or maybe straight outta the fridge. It’s breast-side up, meanin’ the soft, plump side is facin’ ya, and the bony back is down. Here’s how it breaks down so ya can spot the thigh no prob:
- Breast: Up top, the big, fleshy part. That’s the white meat, lean and tender, but it cooks quicker. Not our focus right now.
- Wings: Stickin’ out on the sides, near the top. Skinny lil’ things, great for snacks, but again, not what we’re after.
- Legs: Down at the bottom end, you’ll see two legs. Each leg’s got two main parts—the drumstick (the lower, stick-like bit) and the thigh (the upper, meatier bit right by the body).
- Back and Tail: Flip it over, and ya got the bony back and that lil’ tail piece some folks call the “pope’s nose.” Not much meat there.
Focus on them legs. Tug one away from the body a bit, and you’ll notice the joint where it connects. The thigh is that upper section, from the hip joint of the chicken down
Where to Check the Temp of a Whole Chicken
Checking the temp of a whole chicken versus other parts of a chicken is different. Therefore, it pays to know where to check the temp of the whole chicken so you can get the most accurate reading.
When using a meat thermometer with a probe, make sure the probe is in the right place so you can tell when the meat is safe to eat. The general rule on where to check the temperature of a whole chicken is to insert it into the thickest part of the meat, specifically the breast area.
Each part of a whole chicken needs a different amount of time to cook. For example, the breast part must have an internal temp of 162 F while the thighs or legs should read 190 F on the thermometer. The internal temp requirement will require different cooking times and temperatures for each part.
When probing a whole chicken, make sure to avoid any bone, gristle, or fat. You can facilitate more efficient cooking by orienting the chicken in the oven, such that the legs and thighs are facing the heat source. The breast cooks faster so it should be positioned away from the heat source. This position of the whole chicken ensures that the whole chicken cooks at the same rate. It will also avoid uneven cooking wherein some parts are cooked while others are still raw or underdone.
The issue of cooking the whole chicken in an oven isn’t a big deal. The convective heat makes the oven’s heat spread out evenly. This is different from a grill, where one side gets direct heat and the other side gets indirect heat.
Knowing where to probe the thermometer in your chicken ensures that you can get the most accurate temperature reading. If you don’t position the probe correctly, you run the risk of having undercooked or overcooked chicken. And you want to avoid both instances because one is a health risk and the other just does not make your chicken meat enjoyable.
Chicken is the most consumed meat in the world. It is a healthy choice because it is leaner. However, chicken meat that is not handled properly or cooked thoroughly can be a health hazard. Chicken meat is contaminated with salmonella and other types of bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses, or food poisoning, in humans. According to the CDC, salmonella is the most common cause of food poisoning in the world.
Therefore, you need to cook the chicken (especially a whole chicken) thoroughly to kill off the harmful bacteria. You should also pay attention to the handling of the chicken meat while still raw. It is very easy to cross-contaminate your kitchen surfaces or other food items, especially when making raw food preparations, such as salad. Always observe the best practices for handling and cooking chicken meat to avoid any health risks or contamination.
Poultry Probe Placement | MEATER Product Knowledge Video
FAQ
What part of a whole chicken is the thigh?
A thigh is produced by cutting a whole leg at the joint between the tibia and the femur. The drumstick and patella are removed. The thigh consists of the thigh and associated fat. Meat adjacent to the ilium (oyster meat) may or may not be present.
Where to put a thermometer in a whole chicken?
For a whole chicken, the best place to insert a meat thermometer is into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding contact with the bone.
How to remove a thigh from a whole chicken?
Lay the chicken thigh skin-side down on a cutting board. Carefully cut along one side of the bone with a shape knife. Do the same thing on the other side of the bone. Slide the knife under the bone and cut along the back of the bone. Cut the meat away from the joint and take out the bone.
What does a thigh look like on a chicken?
The chicken thigh is the dark meat from the upper part of the leg of a chicken, and is one of the most common parts of the chicken used in cooking. Chicken thighs are often sold skin-on and bone-in.