Opening a package of thawed chicken to find purple blotches underneath the skin is an unsettling experience — but it doesn’t always mean the meat has gone bad. Understanding the science behind these color changes can help you make a safer, more informed decision in the kitchen. Here is what you need to know before you cook or discard that chicken.
The most common explanation for purple or dark patches beneath chicken skin is myoglobin, a protein found in muscle tissue that stores oxygen. When chicken is frozen and later thawed,…
