Chicken drumsticks are a popular and delicious part of the chicken. However, they contain tough ligaments that need to be removed before cooking to ensure they are tender. Removing the ligaments is easy to do at home with just a few simple steps.
Why Remove Ligaments?
There are two main ligaments in a chicken drumstick: the tendon that runs along the top of the drumstick bone and connects to the knee joint, and the ligament that runs vertically in the meatier part of the drumstick. These ligaments are very tough and chewy. If they are not removed before cooking, they will remain tough and chewy no matter how long you cook the drumstick.
Removing these ligaments allows the chicken meat to cook more evenly and become very tender. It only takes an extra couple of minutes but makes a big difference in the texture and flavor of the final dish.
What You Need
Removing ligaments from chicken drumsticks is simple to do. You just need:
- Raw chicken drumsticks
- A sharp knife
- Kitchen shears (optional)
It’s best to remove ligaments when the drumsticks are raw. Trying to remove them after cooking will be much more difficult.
Instructions
Follow these simple steps for removing ligaments from chicken drumsticks:
- Lay the raw chicken drumstick on a cutting board. Locate the main ligament running vertically through the meaty part of the drumstick.
- Using a sharp knife, slice into the meat lengthwise along one side of the ligament.
- Once you have exposed the ligament, grab it with your fingers and peel it away from the meat. Pull slowly but firmly to remove it entirely.
- Trim away any remaining little bits of ligament or sinew.
- Flip the drumstick over and locate the tendon on the thin side that runs along the bone. Place your knife under the tendon at the base of the bone.
- Pull up the tendon with one hand while slicing under it to detach it from the bone. Remove the entire tendon in one piece.
- Trim any remaining tissue around the bone.
- Repeat steps for all drumsticks. Give them a quick rinse under water when done.
You can also use kitchen shears for easier removal. Simply cut along both sides of each ligament with the shears to detach them from the meat.
Extra Tips
- Work slowly and carefully to avoid cutting yourself when removing ligaments with a knife.
- Cut away from your hand that is holding the drumstick for safety.
- Pull ligaments gently but firmly so they come off cleanly.
- Rinse drumsticks after removing ligaments to wash away any excess bits.
- Pat drumsticks dry before marinating or cooking.
Common Questions
Why do I need to remove the ligaments?
The ligaments in chicken drumsticks are made of collagen which does not break down during cooking. Removing them ensures your drumsticks will be tender when cooked instead of chewy.
Can I just cut slits in the ligaments instead of removing them?
Simply cutting or scoring the ligaments is not effective – they will still remain tough after cooking. You need to fully remove and discard the ligaments for best results.
Will it affect the flavor if I remove the ligaments?
Removing ligaments has no effect on the flavor or juiciness of the chicken. It only affects the tenderness and texture.
Is it necessary to remove both ligaments?
Yes, for maximum tenderness you will want to remove both the vertical ligament in the meaty part and the tendon along the bone. Leaving one ligament can still result in some chewiness.
Can I remove ligaments after cooking?
It is not recommended to remove ligaments after cooking. They adhere very tightly to the meat after cooking, making removal difficult and messy. Always remove ligaments when chicken is raw.
Conclusion
Removing ligaments from chicken drumsticks takes just a couple of extra minutes but makes a huge difference in tenderness. All you need is a sharp knife, some simple cuts along the ligaments, and a firm tug to peel them away cleanly. The drumsticks will cook up much more tender, evenly, and be easier to eat. Give this quick tip a try next time you cook drumsticks!