People love eating meat. We have so many different meats that there are many ways to categorize them. We put them into groups based on what kind of animal they come from, how to cook them, what juices come out of them when they’re done, and a lot more. A common way to categorize meat is as dark meat or white meat. The distinction between dark meat vs. light meat needs to be explained because white meat alone stands for two different things.
Most meat groups, such as beef and poultry, are considered red meats or white meats. The difference is that red meat contains high amounts of fat and vitamins, like iron, zinc, and B vitamins. When talking about chicken, white meat is low in fat and is thought of as a lean source of protein. Poultry meat comes from birds like chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and more.
The second meaning of white meat is when you’re only talking about poultry and other meats that aren’t considered red meat. These come in two varieties: dark meat or white meat, sometimes also called light meat.
Chicken is a versatile and healthy protein that most people eat on a regular basis. However, there are two distinct types of chicken meat – white meat and dark meat. While white meat from the chicken breast is more well-known, the legs and thighs of chicken make up the dark meat. Understanding what dark chicken meat is, why it’s dark, and how to cook with it can expand your culinary horizons.
What Parts of a Chicken are Considered Dark Meat?
The dark meat of a chicken refers to the legs and thighs This includes
- Thighs
- Drumsticks
- Leg quarters or hind quarters (which contain both the thigh and drumstick)
The wings are also considered dark meat by some. But wings don’t have as much dark meat as legs and thighs.
Why is Dark Chicken Meat Dark?
The color and feel of dark meat are different from those of white breast meat for a few reasons:
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Myoglobin: More myoglobin protein is found in dark meat, which helps muscles get oxygen. Myoglobin is what gives dark meat the reddish-brown hue.
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Workload – The leg and thigh muscles get more use as the chicken moves around, so they require more blood flow and energy.
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Fat Content – Dark chicken meat contains slightly more fat than white meat. The increased fat and myoglobin are what make the texture more moist and flavorful.
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Connective Tissue – More collagen and connective tissue in dark meat also play a role in the color and texture.
So in essence, dark chicken meat comes from the more exercised and oxygenated muscles of the chicken’s lower half.
Is Dark Meat Chicken Healthy?
Now that you know what makes dark meat dark, is it still a healthy option compared to white meat? The answer is yes – dark chicken meat provides great nutrition. Here are some of the benefits of dark chicken meat:
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Excellent source of lean protein. A 4 oz serving provides 27g of protein.
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Contains more iron than white meat, providing 7% daily value per serving.
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Higher levels of zinc, riboflavin, niacin, and B6 vitamins compared to white meat.
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White meat has 10 to 20 calories more and only 2 to 3 grams more fat. Still a lean source of protein.
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Rich, juicy texture from the natural fats makes it flavorful and tender.
The slightly higher fat content adds moisture, tenderness and flavor. But it’s still considered a lean cut of meat. Therefore, dark chicken meat can be enjoyed guilt-free as part of a healthy diet.
Cooking with Dark Chicken Meat
Dark chicken meat requires slightly different cooking methods compared to the delicate white breast meat. Here are some tips:
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Slow, moist cooking – Braising, stewing, and simmering are great cooking methods that keep dark meat tender.
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Higher temperature – Dark meat can withstand higher cooking temperatures of up to 175°F-180°F before drying out.
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Watch the timing – Cook dark meat for a longer amount of time at lower temperatures when baking or grilling to prevent drying out. Or give it a head start when cooking mixed pieces.
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Keep the skin on – The skin helps keep dark chicken meat juicy, adds flavor, and provides healthy fats. Crispy chicken skin is delicious!
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Pick bone-in cuts – The bone adds extra moisture and flavor during cooking. Opt for bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks.
With a little care, dark chicken meat can deliver juicy, rich flavor. It’s perfect for stews, curries, grilled legs, baked thighs, and more.
Dark Meat Chicken Recipes to Try
Here are some delicious recipe ideas that highlight dark chicken meat:
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Slow cooker chicken adobo – Chicken thighs cooked in a Filipino-style garlic sauce
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Chicken tikka masala – Rich, creamy Indian curry made with bone-in chicken thighs
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Jamaican jerk chicken legs – Grilled drumsticks in a spicy Caribbean marinade
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Chicken cacciatore – Chicken thighs in an Italian tomato sauce with vegetables
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Chicken tortilla soup – Shredded chicken thighs and drumsticks cooked in a Mexican-style soup
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Thai chicken lettuce wraps – Chopped chicken thighs with peanut sauce and fresh veggies
So don’t reserve dark meat just for leftover chicken sandwiches. With its great nutrition and bold flavor, dark chicken meat can shine in many global recipes.
Choose Your Favorite Chicken Meat
Hopefully this gives you a better understanding of what dark chicken meat is all about. While white breast meat is lean and mild, dark thigh and leg meat offers succulent texture, more nutrients like iron and zinc, and richer taste. Both have a place in a healthy diet and provide high-quality protein. The choice comes down to your recipe needs and personal taste preferences. Or just go for a whole cut-up chicken and enjoy the best of both worlds!
What Distinguishes Dark Meat from White Meat?
Poultry is one of, if not the most, common and popular meat groups in the world. It’s consumed in amounts far above other meats like fish and beef. That’s led to poultry having its own classification system.
This classification system comparing dark poultry meat and white poultry meat is based on which part of the animal the meat comes from and what proportions of proteins and vitamins those different body parts carry. The legs and thighs have the most dark meat, while the breasts and wings have the most white meat.
Which Meat is Healthier?
Which one is healthier depends wholly on your regular diet. While dark meat has more fat, fat in itself isn’t a bad thing. Dark meat gives you important nutrients like iron, zinc, and riboflavin, and everyone needs some of it. But, if you already have a lot of these nutrients from other meals, and your daily activities don’t use them, having more from dark meat may not be good for you.
So, you might want white meat so you don’t get too much of a good thing. Also, it makes sense to choose white meat over dark meat if you can get the same health benefits from dark meat in other foods.
White Meat vs. Dark Meat Chicken: Nutrition, Flavor, and More!
FAQ
What chicken is dark meat at KFC?
What Pieces of Chicken Are Dark Meat? Dark meat typically refers to the pieces of chicken that are found in the leg, drumstick, and thighs. The leg cut of meat includes both the drumstick and thigh.
What are the cuts of dark chicken meat?
The legs, drumsticks, thighs, and tail of the chicken are all dark meat. The color comes from myoglobin, a protein that helps muscles get oxygen while they move.
Are chicken drumsticks considered dark meat?
“Dark meat is muscle found in chicken thighs, legs and drumsticks and tends to be more juicy, fatty and dense,” says Wheeler. Its satiating flavor is due to the presence of fats, mostly unsaturated fat and partly from saturated fats.