Pink cooked chicken explained: it’s not blood, here’s why

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): When you cut into a perfectly cooked piece of chicken you may notice a pinkish or reddish hue near the bone which might make you think it’s undercooked or worse that it’s blood. However, this color is actually caused by a protein called myoglobin which is naturally found in muscle tissues of poultry and other meats. Myoglobin stores oxygen in muscles giving the meat its color. The amount of myoglobin varies depending on how active the muscle is with higher levels in muscles used more frequently like the legs and thighs and lower levels in less active muscles like chicken breasts. When chicken is cooked the heat causes myoglobin to denature altering both its structure and color. At around 140°F (60°C) myoglobin turns light pink and by 170°F (77°C) it becomes grayish-brown.

However several factors can cause the pink color to persist in fully cooked chicken including hemoglobin from bone marrow seeping into the surrounding tissue a higher pH level in the chicken and certain cooking methods like smoking or slow-cooking that stabilize myoglobin and maintain the pink hue. Despite the color the chicken is likely safe to eat if it reaches the proper internal temperature. Using a meat thermometer ensuring the juices run clear and confirming the texture are good ways to guarantee it's fully cooked. To reduce the pink color without drying out the meat you can use moist heat cooking methods like steaming poaching or braising which cook the chicken gently and evenly. Pre-cooking or blanching the bones can also help minimize discoloration from bone marrow. Marinating the chicken in acidic solutions such as lemon juice vinegar or yogurt can further reduce the pink hue by breaking down proteins and retaining moisture. Lastly if smoking use controlled heat and shorter smoking times to avoid intensifying the pink color. With this understanding of myoglobin and some careful cooking techniques you can enjoy juicy perfectly cooked chicken without worrying about the color.