What is the Difference Between Turkey and Chicken

The main difference between turkey and chicken is that turkey is bigger than chicken and needs more seasoning, more brine and a longer cooking time.

Both turkey and chicken are forms of poultry are rich sources of animal proteins. They belong to the same general family of food and are considered white meat. They can be a healthy addition to your diet. However, there are some differences between turkey and chicken.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Turkey 
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Chicken
     – Definition, Features, Uses
3. What is the Difference Between Turkey and Chicken
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Chicken, Turkey

What is Turkey

Turkey is a large bird belonging to the family Phasianidae under the order Galliformes. It has dark coloured plumage with a featherless head and neck. In general, a turkey is bigger and is almost 10 to 15 pounds heavier than a chicken. Turkey is a popular poultry dish, especially during events like Christmas and Thanksgiving. We cook both domesticated turkeys and wild turkeys. Roasting is the most commonly used cooking method.

In terms of taste, turkey has a richer and darker taste than chicken. Since turkey is larger than chicken, it will need a bigger pan, more seasoning, more brine and a longer cooking time. However, you have to make sure you don’t overcook the meat; especially the breast meat, since the mismatch between legs and the breast is greater in turkey. If we look at its nutrient content, turkey has a lower calorie content than chicken.

What is Chicken

The chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) is a type of domesticated fowl. Chickens have colourful plumage and feathered necks and heads with a prominent comb that sets them apart from other fowls. They are bred for eggs and also used for meat.

Chicken is the most common type of poultry in the world. It is an easily available source of high-quality proteins. Breast, legs, and wings are the main edible parts of the chicken. We can prepare chicken in various ways; some of these include baking, barbecuing, frying, grilling, and boiling. If we look at the nutrient content of chicken, it has more calories, fat, and cholesterol than turkey.

Difference Between Turkey and Chicken

Definition

Turkey is a large bird of the family Phasianidae that is native to the Americas, while the chicken is a type of domesticated fowl, with the scientific name Gallus gallus domesticus.

Appearance

While turkey has dark coloured plumage with a featherless head and neck, chicken has colourful plumage and feathered necks and heads with a prominent comb that sets them apart from other fowls.

Size

A turkey is bigger and is almost 10 to 15 pounds heavier than a chicken

Taste

Turkey has a richer and darker taste than chicken

Nutrient Content

Chicken has more calories, fat, and cholesterol than turkey.

Cooking

Roasting and baking are the most common way to cook the turkey while the chicken is cooked in various methods, such as baking, barbecuing, frying, grilling, and boiling.

Cooking Time

Since turkey is bigger in size, it takes a longer cooking time.

Seasoning

Since turkey is bigger in size, it takes more seasoning and more brine than chicken.

Significance

Turkey is a traditional poultry dish during events like Christmas and Thanksgiving while chicken has no such significance.

Conclusion

Both turkey and chicken are forms of poultry are rich sources of animal proteins. The main difference between turkey and chicken is that turkey is bigger than chicken and needs more seasoning, more brine and a longer cooking time.

Reference:

1. Durand, Faith. “A Turkey Is Just Like a Chicken, Except Bigger.” Kitchn, Apartment Therapy, LLC., 2 May 2019, Available here.
2. “Turkey as Food.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Oct. 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Roasted turkey” By LimSoo-jung – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “2709068” (CC0) via Pixabay

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