10 Delicious Bone-In Chicken Recipes That Save You Money Too
Sure, cooking with skinless, boneless chicken makes for quick and convenient meals, but if you’re always bypassing those bone-in cuts of meat at the store, you might want to reconsider. In the Woman’s World test kitchen, we not only love the extra flavor we get from cooking with bone-in chicken but also the endless number of ways you can prepare it for deliciously easy meals any night of the week. Keep reading to get tips and tricks plus our favorite bone-in chicken recipes — we’re sure they’ll become your new favorites too!
Why cook with bone-in chicken
Bone-in chicken is a top pick among chefs because it cooks up full of flavor, plus tends not to dry out like boneless cuts. That’s because the marrow-filled bones infuse the meat with a richer taste, plus they help the chicken retain moisture. Bone-in chicken is also perfect for slow cooking methods like braising, stewing and roasting since the bone help distribute heat evenly through the meat for tender results.
How bone-in chicken saves you money
Bone-in chicken tends to be sold at a lower price compared to boneless. Since it requires less processing, those savings are passed on to the customer. The cost difference can range from a few cents to several dollars per pound.
Tips for cooking with bone-in chicken
For standard guidelines, the FDA recommends raw poultry should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F or higher before consumption. This is best monitored with a probe thermometer. To get an accurate read, simply insert it into the thickest part of the meat without touching the bone (the bone gets extra hot, so touching it will give you a false read).
10 bone-in chicken recipes
Ready to get cooking? From grilling and roasting to searing and frying, along with flavors for every preference, we guarantee to have just the recipe you’re looking for. (And if you happen to have any leftovers, click through for a genius hack to shred cooked chicken fast.)
1. Air-Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken
This easy trick for even crispier skin on this 5-ingredient dinner winner? Simply give the pieces a spritz of cooking spray just before air-frying.
2. Cheesy Stuffed Chicken Breasts
With a few flavor-packed ingredients like feta and roasted red pepper, you can take dinner tonight from ho-hum to yum.
3. Air-Fryer Buttermilk Chicken
Thanks to a dash of cayenne in the marinade, these tender chicken pieces cook up with a kick, but you can omit it if you prefer less heat.
4. Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
A dash of balsamic vinegar adds richness to this saucy Italian classic brimming with peppers and onions.
5. Cornbread-Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Tender cornbread and smoky red peppers elevate this easy-prep main with amazing flavor and hearty texture.
6. Oven-Fried Nashville Hot Chicken
Nashville is known for its hot chicken—this clever twist uses BBQ potato chips to create the crunchy crust.
7. Sheet Pan Chicken & Veggies
This one-dish winner uses chicken thighs in place of a whole bird for minimal effort and maximum flavor.
8. Grilled Peach-Barbecue Chicken
Our from-scratch BBQ sauce starts with ingredients you already have on hand—if you don’t have peach preserves, any fruity jam would be just as delicious.
9. Gingery Teriyaki Chicken
Just a few flavor-packed marinating ingredients transform chicken into an irresistible meal.
10. Basil and Lemon Roast Chicken Breasts
Tucking fresh basil leaves, lemon and garlic under the skin of budget-friendly bone-in chicken breasts infuses the meat with bright, fragrant flavor.
For even more delicious with chicken, check out these stories:
Hot Honey Chicken Is Spicy, Sweet, Simply Irresistible and Cooks Up Fast in Air Fryer
This One Little Step Takes Your Chicken Wings From Good to Absolutely Amazing
Tired of Dry Chicken Breast? These Are the 2 Best Ways To Keep It Moist
Our Test Kitchen Director’s 5 Favorite Chicken Leg Recipes — So Delicious For Less
5 Delicious Chicken Breast Dinners That Are a Total Cinch
This ‘Lazy’ Roast Chicken Only Needs 2 Ingredients and a Cast Iron Skillet
