What Are Chicken Oysters — And What Makes Them So Delicious?

Have you ever heard of chicken oysters? If not, don’t beat yourself up — aside from professional chefs, most people discard them when they’re breaking down a chicken. But the small, dark meat pieces are actually one of the best parts of the chicken. Here’s why: 

What Are Chicken Oysters? 

Chicken oysters are the small pieces of dark meat on the back of a chicken, near the lower spine and thighs. There are two oysters on each bird: one on either side of the spine. 

The French name for this part of the chicken is “sot-l'y-laisse,” which roughly translates to “the fool leaves it here.” This is because many chefs regard the oysters as one of the best parts of chicken, but people without knowledge of them might skip them when carving their birds. 

Why Are They Called Chicken Oysters? 

They’re called chicken oysters simply because they are roughly the size and shape of a standard sea oyster. Other than that, they have nothing in common with the bivalve mollusks. 

What Do Chicken Oysters Taste Like?

Chicken oysters taste similar to other dark meat cuts of chicken, but where they’re located makes them extra special: The piece is surrounded by bone, so it absorbs natural flavor.

What Else Makes Chicken Oysters So Special? 

While the chicken is roasting, the juices are pulled to the center of the carcass and the oysters are cooked in the meat’s natural juices (so they’ll be extra juicy, tender, and succulent). Plus, you don’t have any pesky bones to contend with when you’re dealing with chicken oysters!

How to Remove Chicken Oysters From the Chicken

After you’ve removed the breasts and separated the legs from the carcass, find the small, dark bump at the top of the thigh (that would’ve been nearest the spine when the carcass was intact). Scoop it away with your hands or use a paring knife to separate it from the thigh. 

Keep in mind that it’s much easier to remove the oysters from a cooked chicken than a raw chicken. 

Learn more: How to Cut Up a Whole Chicken

What to Do With Chicken Oysters

You can do pretty much anything with chicken oysters that you can do with any other chicken part. They’re great deep-fried, pan-fried, roasted, or grilled.