No, chicken thigh is generally considered not to be red meat, although it is classified as dark meat.
Understanding Red Meat vs. White Meat
The distinction between red and white meat is based on the amount of myoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen in muscle tissue. Higher concentrations of myoglobin result in a darker, "redder" color.
- Red Meat: Typically includes beef, lamb, pork, and other meats with high myoglobin content.
- White Meat: Generally refers to poultry (chicken and turkey) and fish, which have lower myoglobin levels.
Why Chicken Thigh is Dark Meat
Chicken thighs and legs contain more myoglobin than the breast meat because they are used more frequently by the chicken. This increased muscle activity requires more oxygen, leading to higher myoglobin concentrations. This is why chicken thighs are considered dark meat.
Chicken Thigh: Dark Meat, Not Necessarily Red Meat
While chicken thigh is darker than chicken breast, it does not contain enough myoglobin to be typically classified as red meat. The classification of "red meat" is more strongly associated with meats like beef and lamb, which have significantly higher myoglobin levels.
Therefore, despite being classified as "dark meat" due to its higher myoglobin content compared to chicken breast, chicken thigh is not considered to be red meat in the same way that beef or lamb is.
