How do you feed organ meat safely to your dog? Follow this simple recipe and learn how to make chicken hearts for dogs.
Does raw food confuse or overwhelm you? If you have ever wanted to give your fur baby chicken gizzards but never knew how to, this recipe is for you! This is a great option for anyone who wants to make homemade dog food or for dog owners who want to supplement their dog’s diet with a healthy natural dog treat.
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- Benefits of Chicken Hearts for Dogs
- Why You'll Love This Chicken Heart Dog Treat Recipe
- Ingredients
- Where to Buy Chicken Hearts
- How to Cook Chicken Hearts for Dogs
- Boiled Chicken Hearts for Dogs
- Air Fried Chicken Hearts for Dogs
- Baked Chicken Hearts for Dogs
- Dehydrated Chicken Hearts for Dogs
- Chicken Heart Broth
- Feeding Chicken Hearts to Dogs
- How Many Chicken Hearts is a Serving
- How to Store Cooked Chicken Hearts
- Can People Eat These Chicken Hearts?
- More Dog Treat Recipes
- Chicken Hearts for Dogs
Benefits of Chicken Hearts for Dogs
Whole chicken hearts contain so many essential nutrients for dogs. Whether your dog is on a raw diet or you are more interested in cooking chicken hearts, they are good for dogs both ways!
Here are some of the main health benefits of chicken hearts for dogs.
- Amino Acids – Taurine supports heart and brain function.
- Fatty Acids – Support skin and coat health
- Good Source of Protein – Helps build strong muscles
- Iron – Prevents anemia
- Niacin – Lowers high cholesterol
Chicken Heart Nutrition
In 100 grams of chicken hearts, there are:
- 153 Calories
- 9.33 grams of fat
- 0.71 grams Carbohydrates
- 12 mg Calcium
- 5.96 mg Iron
- 176 mg Potassium, K
Nutrition Source: US Department of Agriculture
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Heart Dog Treat Recipe
This isn’t just one easy recipe – you’ll find four different methods for making chicken hearts for adult dogs. Pick out your favorite way to prepare them for your pup.
No matter which method you choose, the cooking time is minimal. This is the best way to provide a balanced diet for your dog.
Ingredients
Pet parents, there are just two ingredients in these treats. Here’s more information about what I used.
- Raw Chicken Hearts – Keep them whole, don’t chop them up.
- Water – If boiling the hearts, use filtered water.
Where to Buy Chicken Hearts
The best place to buy chicken hearts is from a local farm. If possible, buy organic chicken hearts from Whole Foods or other grocery stores like Kroger. Many grocery stores carry packs of chicken hearts and gizzards that you can use.
How to Cook Chicken Hearts for Dogs
To give you more options, I’m sharing four easy ways to prepare chicken hearts for your dog. You can either boil them, air fry them, bake them, or dehydrate them.
For each method, you will want to thoroughly rinse the hearts and trim them if needed.
Boiled Chicken Hearts for Dogs
- Place the chicken hearts in a pan and cover them with water.
- Bring it to a boil then reduce the heat to low and simmer the hearts for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Drain the hearts (save the broth!).
Air Fried Chicken Hearts for Dogs
- Coat the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
- Air fry at 350°F for 8 minutes or until done (internal temp is 165°F).
- Halfway through air frying, turn the hearts over in the basket by shaking the basket or using a spatula or spoon.
Baked Chicken Hearts for Dogs
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place chicken hearts in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Bake them at 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165°F.
Dehydrated Chicken Hearts for Dogs
- Place chicken hearts on a dehydrator tray.
- Dehydrate them at 165°F for 12 to 16 hours or until all moisture is removed.
No matter which cooking method you use, always allow the hearts to cool to room temperature before giving them to your dog.
Chicken Heart Broth
Boiling the hearts creates a deep, rich chicken broth. You can use it in many ways. Here are some ideas:
- Pour it over your dry dog food to moisten it.
- As an ingredient in homemade dog treats.
- Make dog gravy with it.
Feeding Chicken Hearts to Dogs
How many chicken hearts you feed your dog depends on what else they ate that day. Chicken hearts should be up to 80% of muscle meat content.
You can also use it as a topper for your dog’s meals. Or cut them into small pieces and use them as training treats for your dog.
How Many Chicken Hearts is a Serving
The nutrition in the recipe card below is a serving of 1 heart.
The amount of chicken hearts you give your dog depends on what else they ate and how big they are. Smaller dogs don’t need to eat as many calories as larger dogs.
How to Store Cooked Chicken Hearts
Boiled, Baked, and Air-fried: Store the prepared and cooled chicken hearts in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last up to 4 days.
For longer storage, you can freeze them in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag for up to 4 months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight.
Dehydrated: Store the cooled dehydrated hearts in an airtight container at room temperature in a cool, dry place. They can last up to 6 months if completely dried. Any moisture in them will shorten the shelf life. Check them occasionally and discard them if there are any signs of mold or spoilage.
Can People Eat These Chicken Hearts?
Yes, absolutely! Chicken hearts have a lot of nutritional value for humans. Read more about chicken heart nutrition for people on Healthline. Just note the hearts will be bland because they are not seasoned.
More Dog Treat Recipes
Do you want to make some other tasty and meaty dog treats for your furry friend? Try these recipes:
Find lots of easy recipes for dog treats right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Chicken Hearts for Dogs
Ingredients
- 1 pound Chicken Hearts
- Water
Instructions
- Rinse the chicken hearts well. Trim if needed.
- Boiled: Place the chicken hearts in a pot and cover with water about two inches above the chicken hearts. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until done (internal temp is 165°F). Drain the broth into a container and save it to use as a substitute for chicken broth. Cool the hearts to room temperature.
- Air Fried: Coat the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Place the chicken hearts in the basket. Set the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 8 minutes or until done (internal temp is 165°F). Halfway through air frying, remove the basket and shake them around or turn them over.
- Baked: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place chicken hearts on the baking sheet and bake them for 10 to 15 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165°F.
- Dehydrated: Place chicken hearts on a dehydrator tray. Dehydrate at 165°F for 12 to 16 hours until all moisture is removed. Check on them a few times as needed.
- Cool the treats to room temperature before giving them to your dog.
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