Mutton vs. Chicken — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 14, 2024
Mutton is red meat from older sheep, rich and flavorful, ideal for slow cooking, while chicken is white meat, lighter and versatile, suited for a variety of cooking methods.
Difference Between Mutton and Chicken
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Mutton, the meat of an older sheep, is characterized by its rich flavor and tougher texture, making it well-suited for slow-cooking methods such as stewing and braising. Chicken, on the other hand, is known for its lighter taste and softer texture, allowing for a wide range of cooking techniques including grilling, frying, and baking.
In terms of nutritional value, mutton is higher in fat and calories, providing a richer source of iron and zinc. Chicken, whereas, is lower in fat, especially when the skin is removed, and is a lean source of protein, making it a popular choice in dietary and health-conscious meals.
Culinary traditions around the world have distinct preferences and recipes for mutton and chicken. Mutton is often featured in robust, flavorful dishes of South Asia and the Middle East, while chicken is a staple in almost every cuisine, appreciated for its adaptability to different flavors and ingredients.
The preparation time and cooking methods for mutton and chicken differ significantly. Mutton's tougher texture requires longer cooking times to become tender, whereas chicken cooks relatively quickly, making it suitable for quick meals.
The environmental impact and sustainability of raising sheep for mutton versus chickens for poultry meat are considerations for some consumers. Sheep farming has a different ecological footprint compared to chicken farming, with each having its own set of environmental challenges.
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Comparison Chart
Meat Type
Red meat from older sheep.
White meat from chickens.
Flavor
Rich and strong.
Lighter and more neutral.
Cooking Methods
Best for slow cooking like stewing, braising.
Versatile: grilling, frying, baking, etc.
Nutritional Value
Higher in fat and calories; rich in iron, zinc.
Leaner protein, lower in fat with skin removed.
Culinary Traditions
Featured in robust, regional dishes.
Staple in global cuisines, adaptable.
Cooking Time
Longer due to tougher texture.
Shorter, suitable for quick meals.
Sustainability
Different ecological footprint.
Considered more sustainable by some.
Compare with Definitions
Mutton
Meat from sheep over two years old, known for its full flavor.
He cooked a mutton curry that simmered for hours.
Chicken
A lean source of protein, especially without the skin.
Her diet included skinless chicken for protein.
Mutton
A staple in many Middle Eastern and South Asian cuisines.
Mutton biryani is a celebrated dish in Indian weddings.
Chicken
Cooks quickly, making it ideal for fast meals.
He made a quick chicken stir-fry for lunch.
Mutton
Requires longer cooking times to tenderize.
She slow-cooked the mutton to achieve the perfect tenderness.
Chicken
Suitable for a wide range of cooking methods.
The recipe called for baking the chicken with herbs.
Mutton
Often used in rich, slow-cooked dishes.
The chef prepared a traditional mutton stew.
Chicken
Integral to numerous international dishes.
Chicken noodle soup is a comforting meal in many cultures.
Mutton
Higher in fat content compared to chicken.
Mutton provides a hearty option for those not counting calories.
Chicken
A versatile white meat from chickens, used worldwide.
They grilled chicken for dinner.
Mutton
The flesh of fully grown sheep.
Chicken
A domestic fowl kept for its eggs or meat, especially a young one
Rationing was still in force and most people kept chickens
Mutton
The flesh of sheep used as food.
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
Mutton
The flesh of goat used as food.
Chicken
Cowardly
I was too chicken to go to court
Mutton
(archaic) A sheep.
Chicken
Withdraw from or fail in something through lack of nerve
The referee chickened out of giving a penalty
Mutton
Em, a unit of measurement equal to the height of the type in use.
Chicken
A common domesticated fowl (Gallus domesticus) widely raised for meat and eggs and believed to be descended from the jungle fowl G. gallus.
Mutton
A prostitute.
Laced mutton
Chicken
Any of various similar or related birds.
Mutton
(historical) An old Anglo-French gold coin impressed with the image of a lamb.
Chicken
The flesh of the chicken, used as food.
Mutton
(Cockney rhyming slang) deaf.
Chicken
(Slang) A coward.
Mutton
A sheep.
Not so much ground as will feed a mutton.
Muttons, beeves, and porkers are good old words for the living quadrupeds.
Chicken
Any of various foolhardy competitions in which the participants persist in a dangerous course of action until one loses nerve and stops.
Mutton
The flesh of a sheep.
The fat of roasted mutton or beef.
Chicken
Vulgar Slang A young gay male, especially as sought by an older man.
Mutton
A loose woman; a prostitute.
I willingly return to my muttons.
Chicken
Afraid; cowardly.
Mutton
Meat from a mature domestic sheep
Chicken
To act in a cowardly manner; lose one's nerve
Chickened out at the last moment.
Mutton
The square of a body of any size of type
Chicken
(countable) A domesticated species of junglefowl (usually, Gallus gallus; sometimes, Gallus gallus domesticus or Gallus domesticus), especially so-called when young.
Chicken
(uncountable) The meat from this bird eaten as food.
Chicken
(archaic) The young of any bird; a chick.
Chicken
A coward.
Chicken
A young or inexperienced person.
Chicken
A young, attractive, slim man, usually having little body hair; compare chickenhawk.
Chicken
The game of dare.
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.
Chicken
A simple dance in which the movements of a chicken are imitated.
Chicken
A kilogram of cocaine.
Chicken
Plural of chick
Chicken
(informal) Cowardly.
Why do you refuse to fight? Huh, I guess you're just too chicken.
Chicken
(intransitive) To avoid a situation one is afraid of.
Chicken
A young bird or fowl, esp. a young barnyard fowl.
Chicken
A young person; a child; esp. a young woman; a maiden; same as spring chicken.
Chicken
The flesh of a chicken used for food
Chicken
A domestic fowl bred for flesh or eggs; believed to have been developed from the red jungle fowl
Chicken
A person who lacks confidence, is irresolute and wishy-washy
Chicken
A foolhardy competition; a dangerous activity that is continued until one competitor becomes afraid and stops
Chicken
Easily frightened
Common Curiosities
Is mutton more expensive than chicken?
Generally, mutton can be more expensive due to longer farming times and the processing involved, compared to chicken.
Which is healthier, mutton or chicken?
Chicken is generally considered healthier due to its lower fat content, especially when the skin is removed.
Can you substitute chicken for mutton in recipes?
While you can substitute them, the flavor and cooking times will differ, with chicken being lighter and cooking faster than mutton.
How do the environmental impacts of raising sheep for mutton compare to raising chickens?
Sheep farming can have a different ecological footprint, including land use and methane emissions, whereas chicken farming is often considered more efficient but has its own sustainability concerns.
Why is mutton less common in some cuisines compared to chicken?
Mutton's stronger flavor and longer cooking times make it less versatile than chicken, which adapts easily to many dishes and is quicker to prepare.
Is chicken widely used in vegetarian diets as a protein source?
No, chicken is not used in vegetarian diets; plant-based proteins are preferred.
What's the main difference between mutton and chicken?
Mutton is rich, flavorful red meat from older sheep, best for slow cooking, while chicken is a lean, versatile white meat, suitable for various cooking methods.
How can I make mutton tender?
Slow cooking methods such as braising or stewing are effective for tenderizing mutton.
How should mutton and chicken be stored for safety?
Both should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Mutton can be kept for longer periods due to its fat content, whereas chicken should be cooked or frozen promptly.
Which has a stronger flavor, mutton or chicken?
Mutton has a stronger, more distinctive flavor compared to the milder taste of chicken.
Why might someone choose mutton over chicken?
Preference for the richer taste, nutritional content, or cultural and culinary traditions might lead someone to choose mutton over chicken.
What are some traditional dishes that feature mutton?
Mutton is featured in dishes like Indian biryani, Irish stew, and Middle Eastern kebabs.
Can both mutton and chicken be part of a balanced diet?
Yes, both can be part of a balanced diet, with chicken being a leaner option and mutton consumed in moderation.
What are some health considerations when consuming mutton?
Due to its higher fat content, those monitoring their calorie intake or with certain health conditions might need to consume mutton in moderation.
What are some quick chicken dishes?
Dishes like chicken stir-fry, grilled chicken, and chicken salads can be prepared quickly.
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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.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
