The “Bruise” Explanation: Blood Spots, Hematomas, and Handling
If the purple area looks more like a natural bruise (irregular edges, darker center, not ink-like), it can be a small bleed under the surface.
Processing and handling can sometimes cause tiny blood vessels to rupture. The result can look purple, dark red, or even almost blackish in one concentrated area.
What to Do If It Looks Like a Bruise
- If it grosses you out, trim that small section off with a clean knife.
- Cook the rest as normal if the chicken passes the smell/texture check.
- Don’t “scrub” it around the kitchen—treat it like raw chicken (because it is).
So far, these are “looks scary, but common” situations. But there’s also a color shift that isn’t a blotch at all.
Read more on the next page ⬇️⬇️⬇️
