Meat vs. Chicken — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 7, 2023
Meat is the edible flesh of animals, while chicken specifically refers to the meat from a domesticated fowl.
Difference Between Meat and Chicken
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
In everyday language, when people refer to meat, they might be talking about beef, pork, or even venison. Chicken, however, leaves no ambiguity as it's explicitly the meat from the bird. It's common to hear phrases like "white meat" or "dark meat" when discussing parts of the chicken, further emphasizing the distinction between the broader term of meat and the specific reference to chicken.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 07, 2023
Meat and chicken are terms often used in culinary contexts, but they have distinctive meanings and applications. Meat is a broad term that encompasses the edible flesh from various animals, including cows, pigs, and sheep. Chicken, on the other hand, narrows this definition to specifically refer to the flesh of a domesticated fowl.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 07, 2023
In cultural and dietary preferences, meat and chicken also occupy different spaces. Some might abstain from red meat for health or religious reasons but will consume chicken. Vegetarianism aside, there are specific diets that focus on poultry, like chicken, as the primary source of protein, further distinguishing it from other meats.
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Oct 07, 2023
From a nutritional standpoint, both meat and chicken provide protein, though their nutritional profiles can differ. Red meats, which can be higher in saturated fats, contrast with the leaner profile of chicken, especially the breast. However, one can't merely assume that all meats have a higher fat content than chicken, as cuts and preparation methods play a significant role.
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Oct 07, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Nutritional Profile
Varies; can be high in saturated fats.
Generally leaner, especially the breast.
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Usage in Diet
Common in many global cuisines.
Commonly consumed as an alternative to red meat.
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Oct 07, 2023
Cultural Context
Eaten widely, but abstained from in some religions.
Often considered separate from red meats in dietary guidelines.
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Oct 07, 2023
Definitions
Meat
The main part of a meal, often providing protein.
The centerpiece of the dinner was a large meat roast.
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Sep 22, 2023
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Chicken
A domesticated fowl used for meat and eggs.
The farm had a large coop full of chickens.
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Sep 22, 2023
Chicken
The chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), a subspecies of the red junglefowl, is a type of domesticated fowl, originally from Southeastern Asia. Rooster or cock is a term for an adult male bird, and younger male may be called a cockerel.
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Aug 11, 2021
Meat
The edible part of a fruit or nut.
The meat of the coconut is rich and creamy.
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Sep 22, 2023
Chicken
A domestic fowl kept for its eggs or meat, especially a young one
Rationing was still in force and most people kept chickens
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Meat
The most essential or important part of something.
The meat of the argument became clear in the end.
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Sep 22, 2023
Chicken
A game in which the first person to lose their nerve and withdraw from a dangerous situation is the loser
He was killed by a car after he lay in the road playing chicken
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Meat
A person's muscle or the physical body.
The athlete trained hard to build his meat.
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Sep 22, 2023
Meat
Meat is animal flesh that is eaten as food. Humans have hunted and killed animals for meat since prehistoric times.
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Chicken
Withdraw from or fail in something through lack of nerve
The referee chickened out of giving a penalty
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Meat
The edible flesh of animals, especially that of mammals as opposed to that of fish or poultry.
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Aug 11, 2021
Chicken
A common domesticated fowl (Gallus domesticus) widely raised for meat and eggs and believed to be descended from the jungle fowl G. gallus.
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Meat
(Slang) Something that one enjoys or excels in; a forte
Tennis is his meat.
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Chicken
Any of various foolhardy competitions in which the participants persist in a dangerous course of action until one loses nerve and stops.
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Chicken
Vulgar Slang A young gay male, especially as sought by an older man.
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Meat
(uncountable) The flesh (muscle tissue) of an animal used as food.
A large portion of domestic meat production comes from animals raised on factory farms.
The homesteading teenager shot a deer to supply his family with wild meat for the winter.
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Chicken
To act in a cowardly manner; lose one's nerve
Chickened out at the last moment.
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Meat
(countable) A type of meat, by anatomic position and provenance.
The butchery's profit rate on various meats varies greatly.
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Chicken
(countable) A domesticated species of junglefowl (usually, Gallus gallus; sometimes, Gallus gallus domesticus or Gallus domesticus), especially so-called when young.
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Meat
Food, for animals or humans, especially solid food. See also meat and drink.
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Meat
(uncountable) Any relatively thick, solid part of a fruit, nut etc.
The apple looked fine on the outside, but the meat was not very firm.
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Chicken
A young, attractive, slim man, usually having little body hair; compare chickenhawk.
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Meat
(colloquial) The best or most substantial part of something.
We recruited him right from the meat of our competitor.
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Chicken
A confrontational game in which the participants move toward each other at high speed (usually in automobiles); the player who turns first to avoid colliding into the other is the chicken (that is, the loser).
Don't play chicken with a freight train; you're guaranteed to lose.
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Meat
(sports) The sweet spot of a bat or club (in cricket, golf, baseball etc.).
He hit it right on the meat of the bat.
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Meat
(Australian Aboriginal) A totem, or (by metonymy) a clan or clansman which uses it.
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Meat
Food, in general; anything eaten for nourishment, either by man or beast. Hence, the edible part of anything; as, the meat of a lobster, a nut, or an egg.
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, . . . to you it shall be for meat.
Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you.
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Chicken
(informal) Cowardly.
Why do you refuse to fight? Huh, I guess you're just too chicken.
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Meat
The flesh of animals used as food; esp., animal muscle; as, a breakfast of bread and fruit without meat.
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Chicken
A young person; a child; esp. a young woman; a maiden; same as spring chicken.
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Meat
The flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
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Meat
The inner and usually edible part of a seed or grain or nut or fruit stone;
Black walnut kernels are difficult to get out of the shell
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Chicken
A domestic fowl bred for flesh or eggs; believed to have been developed from the red jungle fowl
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Meat
The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience;
The gist of the prosecutor's argument
The heart and soul of the Republican Party
The nub of the story
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Chicken
A foolhardy competition; a dangerous activity that is continued until one competitor becomes afraid and stops
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Chicken
A person who is easily frightened or lacks courage.
Don't be such a chicken; it's just a small spider!
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Chicken
A game in which two drivers drive toward each other to see who will swerve first.
The teenagers were playing chicken with their cars, which is very dangerous.
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Sep 22, 2023
FAQs
Why do some diets prefer chicken over other meats?
Chicken, especially its breast, is leaner than many red meats and is often chosen for its lower fat content.
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Oct 07, 2023
Can the term "chicken" be used metaphorically?
Yes, calling someone a "chicken" can imply they're fearful or lack courage.
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Oct 07, 2023
Is chicken considered white meat?
Yes, chicken is generally categorized as white meat, especially parts like the breast.
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Oct 07, 2023
Can meat also refer to the edible part of fruits?
Yes, in some contexts, the edible part of fruits or nuts is referred to as the "meat."
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Oct 07, 2023
Are there different cuts of chicken?
Yes, chicken can be divided into parts like breasts, thighs, wings, and drumsticks.
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Oct 07, 2023
Is chicken popular globally?
Yes, chicken is a widely consumed meat in many parts of the world.
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Oct 07, 2023
Why might someone choose meat over chicken or vice versa in their diet?
Choices can be based on health, taste preferences, dietary restrictions, or cultural and religious practices.
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Oct 07, 2023
Are there different nutritional values in chicken compared to red meats?
Yes, chicken typically has less saturated fat than many red meats, making it a choice for heart-healthy diets.
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Oct 07, 2023
What animals can be sources of meat?
Animals like cows, pigs, sheep, deer, and many others can be sources of meat.
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Oct 07, 2023
How does chicken differ from other meats?
Chicken specifically refers to the meat from a domesticated fowl, unlike meat, which can be from various animals.
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Oct 07, 2023
Can "meat" refer to something essential in non-food contexts?
Yes, "meat" can metaphorically refer to the essential or central part of a matter or issue.
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Oct 07, 2023
Is it safe to eat raw chicken?
No, raw chicken can contain harmful bacteria, so it's recommended to cook it thoroughly before consumption.
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Oct 07, 2023
What's the difference between "white meat" and "dark meat" in chicken?
"White meat" refers to lean parts like the breast, while "dark meat" includes legs and thighs, which have more fat.
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Oct 07, 2023
Is chicken meat easier to cook than other meats?
Chicken often cooks faster than denser meats but requires careful handling to avoid foodborne illnesses.
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Oct 07, 2023
Author Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
