Are chicken wings white or dark meat? Well, there are two opinions about it. One group of experts declares them white meat while the other considers them dark meat. But – which one of them is correct? Both have their arguments. According to the first group, chicken wings are technically white because they are a part of chicken breasts. However, the second group claims they are dark meat because of their darker color and high fat content.
So, are chicken wings white meat or dark meat? It is difficult to go against or in favor of both arguments. They taste just like chicken breasts and have a lighter color. Conversely, they have a juicy texture and darker color just like dark meat. It is hard to believe most experts categorize chicken wings as dark meat. However, a small but extremely vocal faction considers them white meat.
Importance of Classifying Chicken Wings as White or Dark Meat?
Many people ask if is it necessary to classify chicken wings into white or dark meat. It is because you cook or store both types of meats differently in the kitchen. Dense texture and high fat require you to cook legs and thighs at higher temperatures compared to breasts and for considerably longer as well. The softer and leaner texture of chicken wings, however, means you have to monitor them constantly while cooking as well. Cooking them for as long as thighs will make them dry. Therefore, you must understand is a wing dark meat or not to cook it properly.
Where does the Meat of Chicken Wings Come from?
Most of the flesh for chicken wings comes from the chicken wing bones which have a lot of meat themselves. The tip, the wingette, and the drumette are the three main parts of chicken wings. The drumette has the highest amount of meat among them because it also has the highest number of bones followed by the wingette (the middle part). The tip has the least amount of bones and therefore, meat.
Are Chicken Wings White or Dark Meat?
Now, let us clarify the confusion and decide if chickens are indeed dark or white meat as claimed by some.
Chicken Wings are Dark because of the High Fat Content
Chicken wings have a lot of fat. According to USDA, chicken breasts only have 1.25% fat but chicken legs and thigs have 3.5% and 4% fat respectively, making wings considerably fatty.
Among all parts of the chicken, wings have the most skin which further increases their fat content. 60-80% of the skin is made of collagen. When heated at 135°C, the collagen becomes gelatin. It is the gelatin that makes the wings meatier and juicer besides enhancing their capacity to hold moisture.
Chicken wings look juicy because of gelatin, a gel-like substance itself. Similarly, it also makes cooking wings a lot easier. Some people consider chicken wings dark meat for the same reason as well.
But – Chicken Wings are White Meat
When it comes to the whole chicken, it is usually considered white meat. But – some parts of chicken have white muscle fibers while others have dark fibers. The frequency of use determines the proportion of both types of fibers.
Endurance muscles mostly consist of dark fibers. Chickens use these muscles for extended or hectic activities. Their color is red because they contain myoglobin. Twitch muscles which chickens use for quick or sudden moments mostly consist of white fibers.
Chickens mostly spend their lives standing or walking. Therefore, their legs and thighs have predominantly dark muscle fibers. As they rarely fly, their breasts and wings have white muscle fibers. Even if they fly, they cannot do so for a long time. Therefore, you can safely categorize chicken wings as white meat as well.
Difference between White Meat and Dark Meat Chicken?
We have already discussed that chicken wings can be dark or white meat depending on their use. So, how do they differ from each other?
What is Dark Chicken Meat?
Chicken legs and thighs are dark meat because they are high in fat and have a dense texture. They come into use extensively while standing and walking resulting in high levels of myoglobin as well. Myoglobin is also responsible for the red color of thighs and legs. Keep in mind that the color changes to brown while cooking.
What is White Chicken Meat?
The breasts and wings of a chicken are white meat. You can consider them white because breasts contain tenderloins which also give them their white color. Protein in wings and breasts is exceptionally tender and pale as well. Both these parts don’t come into use quite often and therefore, they have white muscle fibers.
With Skin or without Skin
Some people eat chicken with skin while others don’t. You can eat both white and dark parts of the chicken with the skin and the taste will still be great. However, they will still be tasty if you remove the skin.
Keep in mind that skin has the most fats compared to other parts of the chicken. Eating the skin means you are consuming a lot of healthy fats but relatively juicier meat as well. But – you can take in much more calories also. There are 90 calories in one ounce of chicken skin. Therefore, eating chicken with skin is not recommended if you are looking to lose weight.
Also Read: How Long To Cook Chicken Leg Quarters In Oven?
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Chicken Wings Healthy?
It depends on the type of chicken wings you are eating. You will consume excessive calories and fats if you eat fried or baked chicken wings, making them unhealthy. However, you must eat regular wings if you are looking to consume a lot of proteins and other key nutrients and minerals. They also have high amounts of iron and Vitamin B12 and are low in calories.
Which is healthier white or dark chicken meat?
Both dark and white types of chicken meat are healthy. Both offer a different set of nutrients and minerals such as carbohydrates, fats, fibers, proteins, etc. However, dark meat has higher levels of zinc and iron and therefore, it is more nutritious.
What pieces of chicken are dark meat?
Keep in mind that chicken legs and thighs are dark meat while chicken wings and breasts are white meat. Thigs and legs are also red because they contain plenty of myoglobin. They enable chickens to keep walking or standing throughout their life and thus have dark muscle fibers as well.
What parts of chicken are white meat?
Wings, breasts, and back have white muscle fibers and therefore, they are white meat. They require less myoglobin and oxygen to break down energy, resulting in their lighter color.
Final Thoughts
You can technically consider chicken wings as white meat. However, some of their parts such as thighs and legs are dark because of their high fat and collagen content as well as dense and juicier texture. They also require higher temperatures to cook properly just like dark meat. Regardless of how you categorize them, chicken wings are extremely delicious and healthy provided you do not use huge amounts of oil to cook them.