Recently, we have been hearing a lot about the health benefits of eating guinea fowl meat.
It has been touted to be healthier than chicken and even more delicious.
In this article, we will compare guinea fowl meat and chicken in different criteria so you can make an educated decision on which type of protein to include in your diet.
What is guinea fowl meat?
Guinea fowl meat is a type of white, succulent meat that has an excellent flavor.
It comes from guinea fowl, a wild bird species that mainly appears in sub-Saharan Africa.
Guinea fowl meat, after being processed and sold on the markets, looks similar to chicken, but with a darker color in both skin and meat.
However, guinea fowl meat turns out to contain less fat (only half of the chicken fat), is higher in protein, and ultimately lower in calories.
It is also packed with many other essential nutrients like B-vitamins, iron, calcium, magnesium, and fatty acids.
Guinea fowl has a cross taste between pheasant and chicken.
It can be cooked the same way as chicken, such as baking, grilling, deep-frying, or stewing.
This kind of bird meat will be an ideal alternative for chicken thanks to its amazing taste and nutritional content.
What is chicken meat?

Chicken is one of the most commonly eaten kinds of meat in the world, along with pork and beef.
Chicken can be found in any country in the world and is a staple in many cultures that don’t eat pork and beef because of sacred reasons.
Chicken can vary in size and taste depending on the breed.
However, basically, it has a sweet but mild taste with a tender texture.
Chicken breast is the leanest and most expensive cut of chicken because it is high in protein and low in fat and cholesterol.
That’s why chicken breast is one of the sought-after ingredients, especially for those who are following a special diet and want to lose some pounds.
There are a variety of cooking methods to process chicken.
You can bake, grill, batter then deep-fry, or stew chicken and serve it as the main dish with some sauces or side dishes on the side, or shred and add to tacos and hamburgers as a juicy and delicious filling.
What are the differences between guinea fowl meat vs chicken?
Guinea fowl meat and chicken livers differ in numerous ways.
The comparison table below will break these differences into several criteria so that you can easily compare these two types of organ meat from two species of poultry.
Guinea fowl meat | Chicken | |
Species | A wild bird called guinea fowl | Usually domesticated birds |
Size | Smaller, usually 1.5 to 3.5 pounds Guinea hens are a bit bigger | Larger, a standard chicken weighs about 5 to 7 pounds |
Appearance | Darker in color (both skin and meat) | Yellow skin with slightly pink meat that turns white when cooked |
Texture | Drier and leaner | Lean but tender |
Taste | Similar to chicken but gamier and stronger | Milder |
Nutritional content | Lower in fat, higher in calories, rich in nutrients | Also nutritious but higher in fat (usually double than guinea fowl) |
Price | More expensive | Cheaper |
Popularity | Less popular, mainly found in sub-Saharan Africa | More popular, can be raised in any part of the world |
What are the similarities between guinea fowl meat vs chicken?
Guinea fowl meat and chicken meat also share numerous similarities besides the key differences:
1. Guinea fowl meat and chicken look similar after the feathers are removed
Chicken and guinea fowl are two types of poultry.
They might look very different when being alive because of their feathers.
However, when it comes to cooking and these birds have feathers removed, guinea fowl meat and chicken meat look very similar with yellow skin and bright pink meat.
If you have never tried guinea fowl, you might be unable to distinguish a chicken from a guinea fowl.
However, for a person with more experience and knowledge, guinea fowl is smaller and has a slightly darker color of skin and meat.
2. They are packed with many essential nutrients
Another similarity between chicken and guinea fowl meat is their nutritional content.
We have all heard that guinea fowl is healthier because it is lower in fat and cholesterol, however, both are considered good alternatives for red meat like pork and meat.
They are rich sources of protein, fatty acids, B-vitamins, iron, phosphorus, zinc, folate, and magnesium, which benefit our health in many ways.
3. They can be used interchangeably in most cases
Due to the similar appearance and taste, chicken and guinea fowl can be used interchangeably in most recipes, from frying to baking or stewing without making any significant difference.
Which one is better?
In general, guinea fowl is a better option than chicken because it has a slightly better taste and healthier nutrients.
However, this kind of bird meat is rarer so it is more expensive and not everyone can afford it.
Therefore, there are more factors to consider when it comes to choosing your favorite kind of poultry meat besides just taste and texture.
They are both delicious, nutritious, and worth trying.
So just opt for what is more available in your area and make the best dish from either chicken or guinea fowl.
- Redditors Reveal Their Go-To Substitutes for Chicken Stock!
- 5 Delicious Dips That Will Make Your Chicken Nuggets Unforgettable!
- Fix Watery Chicken and Dumplings in Minutes with These Expert Tips!
- 10 Delicious Side Dishes That Go Perfectly With Chinese Pork Chops!
- 7 Delicious Sides to Complete Your Tuscan Chicken Dinner
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase an item from Amazon through one of my links, I receive a small commission at no added cost. This helps support the site!