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Last edited October 12, 2026
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Chicken leg
TypePoultry
Main ingredientsChicken

Chicken leg is a cut of meat from the leg of a chicken. In culinary use, a whole chicken leg generally consists of the thigh and the drumstick. The two sections can be separated at the joint during preparation.

Parts

A chicken leg is commonly divided into two parts:

Thigh

The thigh is the upper portion of the leg, connected to the chicken's body. It contains dark meat and is attached to the thigh bone. It can be separated from the drumstick by cutting through the joint.[1]

Drumstick

The drumstick is the lower portion of the chicken leg. It is commonly served as an individual portion and can be cooked with the bone in.[2]

Culinary use

Chicken legs are used in a variety of cooking methods, including roasting, grilling, frying, baking and braising. The thigh and drumstick are frequently cooked and served with the bone intact. Chicken leg meat can also be used in soups, stews and stocks. Chicken stock recipes may use other parts of the chicken, including carcasses, necks and backs, together with vegetables and herbs.

Preparation

For carving, the drumstick can be separated from the thigh by cutting through the joint. The meat can then be sliced parallel to the bone. Chicken drumsticks and thighs are also commonly served without slicing.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "How to Carve Chicken and Turkey". Cooks.com. Retrieved 8 October 2026.
  2. ↑ "Pinas Sarap Recipe: How to make Chicken Neck Tiniim". GMA Network. Retrieved 8 October 2026.
  3. ↑ Alton Brown. "Chicken Stock". Food Network. Retrieved 8 October 2026.