Decoding the Mystery of White Stripes on Chicken Breasts

The white stripes seen on chicken breasts are intermuscular fat, which develop naturally as chickens grow and are not always visible to the naked eye. While more white striping is considered a degradation in quality from a commercial perspective, it is safe to eat and only minimally increases the fat content of the chicken breast. The amount of white striping is influenced by factors such as growth rate and feed, with faster-growing breeds and cheap, plentiful feed being more likely to result in striping. Small pasture-raised chickens are less likely to have white striping, but they tend to have smaller breast pieces and come at a higher cost per pound.