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Home » World Cuisine

Fried Chicken Hearts Recipe + Video |Keto-friendly

Dated: November 6, 2019 . Modified: Jan 8, 2022 by Kate Hahnel

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This delicious pan-fried chicken hearts recipe is a must-try!! Flavored with curry powder and other flavorful spices, it is easy to make, nutritious, and will definitely make you fall in love with organ meat.

A picture showing fried chicken hearts.

*This post may contain affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

I do get this question a lot; what do they taste like? Chicken hearts have a similar taste and smell to chicken, but with a slightly musky and chewy texture. They taste like a mix of duck breasts and venison.

This means that you most certainly do not have to worry about the taste if you have not had them before!

Jump to:
  • why this recipe works
  • ingredients you will need
  • how to make pan-fried chicken hearts
  • useful tips and serving suggestions
  • storing leftovers
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Frequently Asked Questions

why this recipe works

  • Tasty - it combines the wonderful flavors of curry and other spices that you will love! If you have not had organ meat before then this is a nice way to try it!
  • Special-diet friendly: this simple chicken heart recipe can perfectly be eaten by those on a low-carb diet. Each portion has only 3g net carbs so it can still perfectly fit into a meal for those on a keto or low carb diet. It is also, paleo-friendly, whole-30 compliant, dairy-free, and does not use any wheat making it gluten-free.
  • It is simple and easy-to-make.
  • Environmentally-friendly: Did you know that eating organ meat is more environmentally friendly? A study on the German meat industry found that eating organ meat could reduce the country's livestock emissions by up to 14 percent.
Stir-fried chicken hearts in a pan and garnished with sliced tomato pieces and spring onion (scallion).

ingredients you will need

Here are the ingredients you will need for this recipe, and substitutions if any. The full ingredients and detailed instructions are provided in the recipe card below.

  • Raw chicken hearts - you can get these from your local farmer's market, online, or in supermarkets. You can also find them at Asian, Hispanic, and African shops.
  • Olive oil - or your preferred cooking oil. You can also use avocado or coconut oil, especially if on a low carb diet.
  • Seasoning - salt, ground turmeric, cumin powder, curry powder and ground paprika.
  • Vegetables - spring onions (scallions), crushed garlic and ginger, and one tomato.

how to make pan-fried chicken hearts

Before we make this delightful dish, I have to say that I know that cooking chicken hearts or any organ meat for that matter can be very intimidating.

However, fear not as this is a very simple recipe that even a beginner can make. Here is how to go about it:-

Finely slice the spring onion (scallions). Slice the tomatoes into huge chunks, then set aside.

A photo showing frying chicken hearts with spring onion, garlic and ginger.

Clean the chicken hearts and trim off any excess fat (see the FAQ segment below).

Briefly par-boil, discard the frothy hot water, sieve then set aside. Fry them, along with the scallions (spring onion), crushed garlic and ginger.

Seasoning chicken hearts

Stir in the seasonings, then briefly pan-fry (about 5 minutes). Next, add the tomato chunks and cook for a further two minutes. Garnish and serve.

Related recipes: For more delicious chicken recipes, how about trying our mascarpone chicken, jollof rice and chicken, or our easy oven drumsticks recipe.

useful tips and serving suggestions

  • Chicken hearts get chewy when cooked for too long. Boil chicken hearts for frying for 7-10 minutes, per 500 grams (about 1 lb), taking care not to overboil.
  • You can use store-bought garlic and ginger paste, but keep an eye on the ingredients for added sugars if on a low-carb diet.
  • As a variation, use chopped chives, cilantro (coriander), parsley, or your favourite herbs to garnish. Also feel free to use your favourite spices.

I like to serve these fried chicken hearts with ugali, polenta, pap, or some kachumbari salad (tomato and onion salad). Rice, mashed potatoes with gravy, and oven-roasted vegetables are other ways you can serve them.

storing leftovers

When it comes to leftovers, you want to allow the chicken hearts to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. You can keep them in the fridge for 3-5 days, or in the freezer for 2-3 months.

When ready to use, allow them to thaw in the fridge overnight then microwave them in a microwave-safe dish, covered.

Now, chicken hearts are one of those foods that pop in the microwave during reheating, so you want to do it gently (aim for a 50-60 percent microwave power). Also, you want to stir them every couple of seconds when reheating, to prevent splattering.

Enjoy making this recipe! Be sure to give it a review ⭐ below! Follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Tiktok! Subscribe to our YouTube channel and Newsletter for regular recipe notifications!

This recipe has been improved and updated in December 2023, to a more simplified and reader-friendly version.

📖 Recipe

A picture showing fried chicken hearts.

Fried Chicken Hearts Recipe + Video |Keto-friendly

Kate Hahnel
The spices boost the flavor of this pan-fried simple keto chicken-hearts recipe. It is nutritious, delicious, simple and quick to prepare, and will have you asking for more!
5 from 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 17 minutes mins
Total Time 27 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine African, American
Servings 3
Calories 252 kcal

Video

Equipment

a sharp knife
a chopping board
a chopping board
12 inch cast iron skillet or pan
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • 300 g chicken hearts (about 0.6 lb)
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil (or your preferred choice of cooking oil)
  • 1 tablespoon crushed garlic and ginger
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin powder optional
  • ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground paprika (sweet or smoky)
  • 3 stems spring onion (and some more to garnish)
  • 1 tomato (optional - to garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Finely slice the spring onions (scallions) and slice the tomatoes into huge chunks, then set aside.
  • Clean the chicken hearts and trim off any excess fat (see notes on how to clean). Next, boil the chicken hearts in a pot of boiling water for 10 minutes, discard the frothy hot water, sieve then set aside.
  • Heat olive oil in a medium-sized pan or skillet, add the chicken hearts and scallions (spring onions), crushed garlic and ginger, then combine.
    300 g chicken hearts, 1 tablespoon crushed garlic and ginger, 3 stems spring onion, 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • Add in the salt, ground turmeric, cumin powder, curry powder, ground paprika, then combine and fry for five minutes. Add the tomato chunks, cook for a further two minutes then garnish with some sliced spring onions.
    ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, ½ teaspoon cumin powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon curry powder, ½ teaspoon ground paprika, 1 tomato
  • Serve the fried chicken hearts with pap, polenta, rice, cauliflower rice, or mash.

Notes

  • Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling chicken hearts, or any type of organ meat. Work surfaces should also be properly cleaned and sanitized.
  • Chicken hearts tend to turn chewy when cooked for too long. Boil chicken hearts for frying for 7-10 minutes, per 500 grams (about 1 lb).
  • You can use store-bought garlic and ginger paste, but keep an eye on the ingredients for added sugars if on a low-carb diet.
  • As a variation, use chopped chives, cilantro (coriander) or parsley, to garnish.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 252kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 16gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 136mgSodium: 467mgPotassium: 306mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 655IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 7mg
Tried this recipe? I would love it if you could leave a rating by clicking on the stars above on this recipe card.Pin this recipe on Pinterest or tag me out on socials @weeatatlast. I love seeing your creations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are chicken hearts keto-friendly?

Most certainly. Due to their high fat and low-carb content, chicken hearts can perfectly be incorporated into the Keto and low carb diets. As an example, a serving of this simple keto chicken hearts recipe has 19g of protein and 7 g of net carbs (9g carbs and 2 g fiber)!! Most low carb and Keto diets recommend staying between 30g and 50g net carbs per day.

How do I clean chicken hearts?

You have two methods to choose from when cleaning chicken hearts:
Method 1: The simplest method involves placing the chicken hearts in a colander and cleaning the pieces under running water until they are clean.
Method 2: Alternatively, you can clean them by soaking them in a bowl filled with water and a tablespoon of white vinegar or the juice of half a lemon. Rinse them until they are clean, which typically requires about 2-3 rinses.

How to trim and prepare them for cooking?

Cut the chicken hearts lengthwise then into quarters, remove the arteries, excess fat, and squeeze out any excess blood that may have been trapped between ventricles. Alternatively, use a pair of sharp scissors or a knife to cut off about a quarter from the top (wider part of the chicken heart). This is the part bearing most of the excess fat, the arteries, and the aorta. The reason you want to remove the arteries, including the aorta, is because this tends to be chewy once cooked. Finally, squeeze off excess blood from the veins then rinse a couple of times with water.Cleaning and trimming chicken hearts

Are chicken hearts good for you?

They are not only a rich source of iron, selenium, zinc, and folate but a great source of coenzyme Q10 as well, an enzyme that can aid in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. They are additionally a great source of vitamins.
In bodybuilding, chicken hearts are increasingly growing in popularity. This is because they tend to be nutrient-dense, supplying the body with key nutrients like iron, selenium, vitamin B-12, zinc, and co-enzyme B12. They are also more affordable than the classic cuts of meat.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kelly

    March 28, 2022 at 1:36 am

    5 stars
    I’m really enjoying chicken hearts! Thank you for the new recipe idea; I can’t wait to try!!! For people who haven’t tried them, i would describe the texture close to squid.

    • Kate Hahnel

      March 29, 2022 at 9:38 am

      thank you very much! Chicken hearts are such a good source of protein and I believe that more people should try them.

  2. Tavo

    January 11, 2022 at 10:08 pm

    5 stars
    What an interesting recipe! I have never tried it but looking into trying new things!

    • Kate Hahnel

      January 11, 2022 at 10:47 pm

      I hope you will get to try them soon.

  3. Irena Macri

    January 11, 2022 at 10:00 pm

    5 stars
    Love a good offal recipe. To be honest, we only had chicken livers but I loved the idea of all those spices and we followed the recipe with the liver. Turned out great. Next time I will pick up some hearts. Thanks!

  4. Jessie

    January 11, 2022 at 9:57 pm

    5 stars
    Organ meat often gets a bad wrap, but these chicken hearts were just delicious! Full of yummy gamey flavor!

    • Kate Hahnel

      January 11, 2022 at 10:46 pm

      So sad so many people don't give them a chance. Glad you tried and loved them!

  5. Vanessa

    January 11, 2022 at 9:47 pm

    5 stars
    thanks for this super easy recipe! I was a bit scared before trying it as never had hearts before but it's great!

    • Kate Hahnel

      January 11, 2022 at 10:45 pm

      I know what you mean. Chicken hearts can be a bit intimidating but they are very tasty and easy to prepare once you try!

  6. Denay DeGuzman

    January 11, 2022 at 9:44 pm

    5 stars
    My cousin just made this recipe and told me how awesome it was. So flavorful! I'm so happy she shared it with me.

    • Kate Hahnel

      January 11, 2022 at 10:44 pm

      Happy you enjoyed them!!

  7. Laura

    February 11, 2021 at 1:44 pm

    Do you think duck hearts will work? The farmer I get meat from was out of chicken hearts but they have duck hearts.

    • Kate Hahnel

      February 12, 2021 at 12:11 am

      Hi Laura. Yes, you can also use duck. I have never tried them but it should be fine. Let me know how it goes.

  8. Maureen

    October 15, 2020 at 7:27 am

    5 stars
    Very tasty and nutritious

    • Kate Hahnel

      October 15, 2020 at 11:36 am

      YES, you are right. Nutritious indeed! I wish more people knew about organ meat.

5 from 9 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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