Boiled chicken is a familiar dish on the dining tables of Vietnamese families. However, have you ever wondered why there is sometimes red liquid inside the meat after boiling a chicken? Is it because the chicken is undercooked and still has blood in it? Is it safe to eat boiled chicken with red liquid? Let’s find out in this article!
1 Is the red color inside the chicken due to it being undercooked?
Most people believe that chicken meat turns completely white when cooked, but this is not always the case.
According to Dr. Greg Blonder, author of several food-related books, the red or pink liquid that comes out of chicken meat when cut is not an indication of undercooked chicken.
The main reason for this occurrence is the presence of myoglobin, a protein found in chicken bones, which reacts with air during the cooking process.
This phenomenon is more common in younger chickens, as their bone and skin structure is not yet fully developed, allowing the blood from the bone marrow to seep into the meat during cooking, resulting in pinkish meat and darker bones.
Chicken meat with this red color is still safe to eat and does not pose any health risks.
2 How to prevent the appearance of red or pink liquid when boiling chicken?
Although it is not harmful, the presence of red or pink liquid can make your chicken dish less aesthetically pleasing and unappetizing.
You can prevent this by following these simple tips:
– Debone the chicken before cooking.
– Marinate the chicken with vinegar, orange, or tangerine before cooking. This will alter the pH level of the boiling water and prevent the myoglobin from reacting.
3 How to tell if chicken is cooked?
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), you should use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken. If the temperature reaches 74 degrees Celsius or higher, the chicken is safe to eat.
Alternatively, you can use a folk or knife to pierce the thickest part of the meat, and if no pink liquid comes out, the chicken is cooked.
So, now you know why chicken sometimes releases red liquid, and it’s not blood! You can enjoy your boiled chicken without any worries.
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