Check doneness near the bone for bone-in chicken
For bone-in chicken, measure internal temperature close to the bone because it cooks slower there.
Bone-in chicken can stay colder near the bone and take longer to cook through. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part near the bone to confirm doneness.
The short version
- Meat near the bone is the last to cook
- Use an instant-read thermometer for accuracy
What you need
- instant-read thermometerUse to check doneness near the bone
How to do it
- 1
Identify the thickest part of the chicken piece near the bone.
That area will cook the slowest.
Watch this step - 2
Insert an instant-read thermometer into the meat close to the bone (avoid hitting bone).
Hitting bone can give a misleading reading.
Watch this step - 3
Use the reading near the bone to decide when the chicken is done.
Other areas may read warmer; prioritize the coldest spot.
Watch this step
What goes wrong
Only checking temperature in an easy-to-reach spot away from the bone
Check the thickest area close to the bone
Relying only on time
Use a thermometer and adjust for your oven
Why it works
Bones retain cold from the fridge and slow heating of adjacent meat, so the area near the bone is the last to reach safe temperature.
Put it to use
Learn next
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