How Many Calories Are in One Chicken Heart?

December 2, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the USDA, one raw chicken heart (approx. 6.1 grams) contains approximately 9 calories. This low-calorie, nutrient-dense organ meat is a rich source of protein, iron, and several B vitamins, making it a valuable addition to many diets.

Quick Summary

This guide breaks down the calorie count and complete nutritional profile of a chicken heart, exploring its benefits, preparation methods, and health considerations for a balanced diet.

Key Points

Low in calories: A single raw chicken heart contains only about 9 to 14 calories, making it very energy-efficient.
Rich in protein: Chicken hearts are an excellent source of protein, vital for muscle repair and general health.
Packed with B vitamins: They provide an exceptional amount of B vitamins, especially B12, which supports nerve function and red blood cell formation.
High in iron and zinc: These minerals are crucial for oxygen transport, immune function, and overall well-being.
Milder flavor than other offal: Their mild, dark meat flavor and chewy texture make them an approachable option for those new to organ meats.
Versatile cooking ingredient: Chicken hearts can be easily grilled, sautéed, or added to stews and stir-fries.

Chicken Heart Nutritional Breakdown

Beyond just calories, chicken hearts are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Understanding the full breakdown helps in appreciating its value in a healthy diet. A 100-gram serving (about 3.5 ounces) of cooked chicken heart is a particularly rich source of B vitamins, iron, zinc, and selenium.

The Calorie and Macronutrient Picture

While one raw chicken heart is very low in calories, the totals increase with a larger, cooked serving size. For example, a 100-gram portion of cooked chicken heart contains around 153 calories. The caloric makeup is roughly 42% protein and 56% fat, with minimal carbohydrates.

Protein: Chicken hearts are an excellent source of high-quality protein, crucial for muscle repair, enzyme production, and overall bodily function.
Fats: The fat content is a mix of saturated and unsaturated fats. While organ meats are sometimes perceived as high in unhealthy fats, the profile here is moderate.
Carbohydrates: Chicken hearts contain virtually no carbohydrates, making them suitable for low-carb or ketogenic diets.

Micronutrient Marvels: A Deeper Dive

What truly sets chicken hearts apart is their dense concentration of micronutrients. Many of these are often lacking in the standard Western diet.

Key vitamins and minerals:

Vitamin B12: A 100-gram serving can provide several times the daily recommended intake of B12, essential for nerve function and red blood cell formation.
Iron: Chicken hearts are exceptionally rich in heme iron, which is the most easily absorbed form of iron found in food. This helps prevent iron-deficiency anemia.
Zinc: A vital mineral for immune function, wound healing, and cell growth.
Selenium: An antioxidant that protects cells from damage and supports thyroid health.
Copper: Works with iron to help the body form red blood cells.
CoQ10: A powerful antioxidant that supports heart health.

Comparison: Chicken Heart vs. Other Organ Meats

To put its nutritional value into perspective, let's compare chicken heart to other common organ meats. This table highlights some key differences in a 100-gram serving size.


Nutrient (per 100g)	Chicken Heart (cooked)	Chicken Liver (cooked)	Beef Heart (cooked)	Beef Liver (cooked)
Calories	~185 kcal	~167 kcal	~190 kcal	~191 kcal
Protein	~26 g	~24.5 g	~28 g	~29 g
Vitamin B12	Extremely High	Extremely High	Extremely High	Extremely High
Iron	High	Very High	Very High	Very High
Vitamin A	Low	Extremely High	Low	Extremely High
Taste	Mild, similar to dark meat chicken	Pungent, irony	Rich, beefy	Strong, livery

Chicken hearts offer a more palatable and milder flavor than many other organ meats, making them an excellent entry point for those new to offal. They provide a fantastic nutrient boost without the stronger taste found in livers or kidneys.

How to Prepare and Cook Chicken Hearts

Cooking chicken hearts is simple and quick due to their small size. Here are a few popular preparation methods:

Grilled Skewers (Yakitori-style): Marinate the hearts in a soy-based sauce, skewer them, and grill for a quick, flavorful appetizer or main dish.
Sautéed: Pan-fry chicken hearts with garlic, onions, and your favorite seasonings. They cook in just a few minutes.
Stews and Braises: Add chicken hearts to stews for a richer flavor and tender texture. Their chewiness softens with slow cooking.
Stir-fries: Include them in stir-fries with vegetables for added protein and nutrients. Their small size makes them perfect for this quick cooking method.

Potential Health Considerations

While highly nutritious, it's important to be mindful of a few aspects, particularly the cholesterol content. As an organ meat, chicken hearts are high in cholesterol. For most healthy individuals, dietary cholesterol has a minimal effect on blood cholesterol levels, but those with pre-existing conditions or a family history of high cholesterol should monitor their intake and consult a doctor. Organ meats are also high in purines, which can affect individuals with gout. Sourcing quality chicken hearts from reputable vendors is also important to ensure safety and quality.

Conclusion

A single chicken heart contains a very small number of calories, making it a lean and nutrient-dense food. Its main value lies not in its caloric content but in its rich profile of essential vitamins and minerals, particularly iron, zinc, and a range of B vitamins. Easily cooked and mild in flavor, chicken hearts provide an excellent way to incorporate nutrient-rich organ meat into a balanced diet. Whether grilled, sautéed, or added to a hearty stew, this humble organ offers a significant nutritional boost and is a cost-effective protein source. For those seeking to explore the health benefits of organ meats, the chicken heart is an ideal and accessible starting point. For detailed nutritional data, you can consult sources such as the USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, chicken hearts are very healthy. They are a lean, protein-packed food source rich in vitamins B12, iron, and zinc, all of which are essential for various bodily functions.

A 100-gram serving of cooked chicken hearts contains approximately 153 to 185 calories, depending on the preparation method. This makes them a moderately low-calorie, high-protein food.

Yes, as an organ meat, chicken heart is relatively high in cholesterol. However, for most healthy people, dietary cholesterol has a minor impact on blood cholesterol levels. Individuals with high cholesterol should consult their doctor.

Chicken heart has a mild, savory flavor often compared to dark meat chicken. It has a slightly chewy but tender texture when cooked properly, and its taste is less gamey than other organ meats like liver.

Chicken hearts are versatile and cook quickly. They can be grilled on skewers (a Japanese delicacy known as 'hatsu'), sautéed with garlic and onions, or added to stews and stir-fries.

While a single small heart has about 1 gram of protein, a standard 100-gram cooked serving provides roughly 26 grams of high-quality protein.

People with high blood cholesterol, high blood fat levels, or those prone to gout should eat chicken hearts in moderation. Their high cholesterol and purine content could affect these conditions.