Although chicken is one of the most consumed foods in the world, hearts are generally discarded. Yet, if you know how to cook them, they are the key ingredient in many delicious dishes, as well as an excellent source of protein. Whether you want to grill them on the barbecue in the summer or stir-fry them, you are sure to make a delicious dish.
Ingrediants
Stir-fried Chicken Hearts
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove of garlic
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of seed oil
- 900 g of chicken hearts
Grilled Chicken Hearts
- Chicken hearts
- Salt and pepper
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Prepare the Stir-fried Chicken Hearts
Step 1. Combine olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper for a super quick marinade to prepare
Use about 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of extra virgin olive oil, a clove of minced garlic, a pinch of salt and pepper. Once mixed, you will have a simple and tasty marinade. If you wish, you can enrich it with some of the following ingredients:
- Chili pepper;
- Onion;
- Paprika;
- Cayenne pepper.
Step 2. Marinate the chicken hearts for 30 minutes
The marinade must take place in the refrigerator, but at the time of cooking the chicken hearts must be at approximately room temperature. If they are frozen, let them thaw before marinating. Thanks to the marinade, they will become more tender and tasty.
The chicken hearts will gradually absorb the aromas of the marinade, gradually becoming more and more flavorful. You can leave them to marinate for a more or less short time (from 10 minutes to several hours) depending on the result you want to obtain and the time available
Step 3. Heat 2 tablespoons (30ml) of seed oil in a skillet over high heat
It is best to use seed oil for stir-frying chicken hearts, as extra virgin olive oil has a lower smoke point and is not suitable for high-temperature cooking. Pour the oil into a non-stick pan that is best suited for this type of cooking.
After 2-3 minutes, the oil should have reached the correct temperature to cook the chicken hearts
Step 4. Pour the chicken hearts into the pan and brown them briefly in the hot oil
They should start to sizzle as soon as they come into contact with the pan, otherwise it means the oil isn't hot enough yet.
If the oil is not hot, the juices from the meat will disperse in the pan instead of being sealed inside to keep it soft and you will not be able to get a proper browning
Step 5. Cook the chicken hearts for 7-10 minutes after the initial browning
Stir them frequently to brown them evenly. When you are not stirring it is best to cover the pan with the lid to retain the heat.
Chicken hearts cook very quickly. If you leave them in the pan for too long, there is a risk that they will become hard, so it is best to serve them medium
Step 6. Serve the chicken hearts as soon as they are cooked in the center as well
To make sure they are completely cooked, cut one in the middle and check that it has taken on a pale pink hue. Once ready, let them cool for a couple of minutes. You can accompany them with a salad, with sautéed vegetables or you can enjoy them without any side dish.
Method 2 of 2: Prepare the Grilled Chicken Hearts
Step 1. Eliminate fat, membrane or any other foreign tissue from chicken hearts
The butcher may not have removed the ventricles, blood vessels, or fat. In that case, it is best to eliminate them as they can affect the taste of the dish.
- You can cut the chicken hearts in half to clearly see if there are any parts to remove.
- The ventricles and blood vessels are white in color and have a fibrous consistency. You can remove them with scissors or a sharp knife.
Step 2. Soak the skewers in hot water for 10-30 minutes before piercing the chicken hearts
With wooden skewers there is a slight risk that they can catch fire, but just let them soak in water for 10-30 minutes to avoid it. In this way, instead of risking to catch fire, they will burn slightly.
You can use metal skewers if you want to make sure you're not taking any risks
Step 3. Prepare the skewers
Stick 3-4 hearts with each skewer and arrange them just over an inch apart. Do your best to skewer the hearts right in the center. Ideally each skewer should consist of 4 chicken hearts.
By sticking the hearts in the center you will be sure of obtaining an even cooking
Step 4. Turn on the charcoal
Chicken hearts need to cook on a medium-high temperature. The time required to heat the charcoal varies according to the size of the grill. Take the time it takes for it to reach a sufficiently high temperature. Keep in mind that chicken hearts cook very quickly, but only if the heat is intense will you be able to obtain a nice uniform browning.
If you wish, you can use wood chips to add a smoky aftertaste to the meat
Step 5. Season the hearts with salt and pepper
Try to wisely dose the spices to enhance the taste of the meat without covering it. In addition to giving flavor, salt and pepper favor the caramelization process of the meat.
Step 6. Let the chicken hearts cook for 5-10 minutes, turning them occasionally
Since they require a short cooking time, it is best not to lose sight of them to prevent them from burning due to the high temperatures of the grill. Keep in mind that eating raw chicken is dangerous for your health, so make sure the hearts are fully cooked before removing them from the heat.
- Make sure the chicken hearts are fully cooked in the center as well, but don't leave them on the barbecue for too long to prevent them from hardening.
- Externally they must be well browned and have a nice crust that will give it flavor.
