Where Can You Buy Chicken Hearts? A Guide to Finding This Nutritious Organ Meat

Chicken hearts are growing in popularity as a nutritious addition to meals. Though not as common as chicken breast or thighs, hearts can be a great source of nutrients like protein iron zinc, and B vitamins. But where exactly can you buy chicken hearts? This guide will walk you through the best places to find affordable chicken hearts for your next recipe.

Grocery Store Meat Sections

The meat section of your local grocery store is one of the best places to find chicken hearts. Many big grocery store chains, like Publix, Kroger, Safeway, and Albertsons, sell packages of chicken hearts. You can usually find them in the poultry section, near whole chickens and chicken breasts.

The chicken hearts are usually packaged in plastic containers or foam trays wrapped in plastic wrap. Common package sizes range from 10 ounces to 1 pound. Popular brands for chicken hearts include Tyson and Perdue. The chicken hearts are almost always USDA inspected for quality and food safety.

When checking the grocery store meat section, look in the refrigerated poultry area rather than the freezer section, as chicken hearts are almost always sold fresh rather than frozen. And be sure to check the expiration date to ensure freshness.

When you buy chicken hearts at the store, the nutrition facts are clearly written on the packages, so it’s easy to see how much protein and other nutrients are in each serving. Most grocery stores sell chicken hearts for between $1 and $3 a pound, which is also a really good price.

Butcher Shops or Meat Markets

For an even wider selection and variety of chicken hearts, visit a local butcher shop or meat market. These specialty stores typically have a much larger assortment of chicken organs and other unique cuts compared to standard grocers.

The chicken hearts at butcher shops are sometimes sold pre-packaged in plastic wrap, but sometimes you can find them fresh in the display case. You may even be able to special order them if you don’t see chicken hearts already for sale.

Butcher shops often source poultry and meat locally or regionally. They might also have heritage breed chicken hearts, which have a flavor that is deeper and stronger. The staff can also give advice on how to cook chicken hearts in a way that brings out their best flavors and textures.

Depending on the source and quality, expect to pay around $3 to $6 per pound for chicken hearts from a butcher shop. Be sure to ask questions about sourcing and inspection practices if it’s not clearly labeled.

Ethnic Grocery Stores

Ethnic grocery stores are another excellent option for finding chicken hearts, especially for Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Halal markets. Chicken hearts are very popular in many cuisines around the world, so specialty ethnic grocers are sure to carry them.

Most ethnic markets sell packaged chicken hearts which are easy to spot in the refrigerated meat case. You may also find some unique options like marinated chicken hearts if you want them pre-seasoned. And depending on the region, ethnic grocers could offer chicken hearts from locally raised poultry.

When shopping at an ethnic market, chicken hearts are usually priced between $1 and $2, which is a good deal. 50 to $3 per pound. If you need help coming up with new ways to cook popular dishes, the staff can give you suggestions.

Direct from a Local Farm or Rancher

For the absolute freshest chicken hearts available, try purchasing them directly from a local poultry farm or rancher. Many smaller scale chicken producers sell specialty cuts like hearts at farmers markets or the farm’s on-site store.

Buying directly from the source means you can get just-slaughtered chicken hearts that haven’t been sitting in a grocery store for days. This offers the freshest flavor and texture. Local farmers may also give their chickens more space to roam and specialize in heritage breeds.

When shopping directly from a farm, you can often buy chicken hearts in bulk quantities if you want to stock up. Just be sure to ask questions about their inspection practices and washing methods before purchasing. Expect to pay around $3 to $5 per pound when buying chicken hearts straight from the farm.

Online Stores and Delivery

For added convenience, more companies now offer chicken hearts available for online order and delivery. This option allows you to buy fresh chicken hearts and have them shipped frozen or chilled directly to your doorstep.

There are some specialty online stores like Marx Foods and Exotic Meat Markets that focus exclusively on sourcing and delivering meat. Prices range from $3 to $8 per pound for chicken hearts, depending on quantity. Lead times can sometimes be 4-5 days from order to delivery.

Large retailers like Walmart and specialty grocers like Publix also give you the ability to order chicken hearts online for in-store pickup or grocery delivery. This lets you skip the trip browsing the meat counter. Delivery minimums and fees apply from most grocers.

No matter where you buy them, chicken hearts can be a tasty and nutritional addition to all kinds of recipes. Follow safe handling and cooking instructions on the packaging. And be sure to store fresh or thawed chicken hearts in the refrigerator and cook within 1-2 days for food safety. With so many options now available, chicken hearts can easily become a protein staple in your kitchen.