Ready to turn an often-overlooked ingredient into a culinary masterpiece? This recipe for Chicken Hearts in Walnut Sauce is inspired by the rich, aromatic flavors of Georgian cuisine. We'll gently stew tender chicken hearts in a creamy, savory sauce made from ground walnuts, fragrant spices, and a touch of sweet-tart apple for balance. It's a dish that is both comforting and sophisticated, proving that simple ingredients can create truly extraordinary flavors. Perfect for an adventurous home cook looking for a unique and delicious meal!
Chicken hearts stewed in walnut sauce.
Ingredients for Chicken Hearts in Walnut Sauce
- 600 g chicken hearts
- 1 large onion
- 1 clove of garlic
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
- 2 teaspoons khmeli-suneli (a Georgian spice blend)
- 150 ml water or chicken broth
- 80 g walnuts
- 1 small sweet-tart apple
- salt, black pepper, vegetable oil to taste
- small bunch of dill
How to Cook Chicken Hearts in Walnut Sauce
Prepare the chicken hearts: trim off the fat and any excess parts.
Peel and finely chop a large onion.
Add the chopped onion, parsley, and garlic to the skillet.
Prepare the chicken hearts: trim off the fat and any excess parts. If there’s a blood clot inside the heart, remove it as well. Thoroughly rinse the prepared hearts in cold water, then transfer to a colander to drain. If desired, you can blanch them: place them in boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain in a colander and rinse.
Peel and finely chop a large onion. Chop the parsley sprigs with a knife. Pass a large garlic clove through a garlic press.
Pour two tablespoons of refined vegetable oil into a deep, thick-bottomed skillet. Add the chopped onion, parsley, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté over low heat for 5-7 minutes, until the onion becomes soft.
Add the chicken hearts to the skillet.
Sprinkle in the khmeli-suneli.
Sauté the hearts with the onion and spices for 2 minutes, then pour in the broth.
Once the onion is ready, add the chicken hearts to the skillet.
Sprinkle in the khmeli-suneli (a traditional Georgian spice blend typically including blue fenugreek, coriander, marigold petals, and other herbs). This Georgian seasoning has a harmonious blend of spices that is perfect for dishes with chicken and chicken offal, among others.
Sauté the hearts with the onion and seasoning for 2 minutes, then pour in hot water or hot chicken broth. You don’t need a lot of liquid; half a small glass will be enough, allowing the liquid to evaporate during cooking.
Add the crushed walnuts to the other ingredients.
Add the grated apple to the stew and mix.
A couple of minutes before the dish is ready, season the chicken hearts with dill.
Crush the walnuts in a mortar or grind them in a blender. Add the crushed walnuts to the other ingredients. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Bring to a boil and cook over high heat without a lid, allowing the moisture to evaporate and the sauce to thicken.
Peel the apple and grate it on a coarse grater. Add the grated apple to the stew and stir. Cook everything together for 10-12 minutes. It’s best to use a tart or sweet-tart apple, as it will break down and add a pleasant tang to the sauce.
Finely chop a small bunch of dill. A couple of minutes before the dish is ready, season the chicken hearts with dill. At the end of cooking, you can add any fresh herbs, such as cilantro, mint, or tarragon.
Serve the chicken hearts in walnut sauce warm or cold.
Remove the stew from the heat and let it cool slightly. Serve the chicken hearts in walnut sauce warm or cold; many offal dishes are even tastier when cold. For a side, a fresh vegetable salad and a thick lavash (a thin, soft unleavened flatbread) are perfect for dipping into the sauce.
And there you have it—a beautifully tender and flavorful stew that's sure to impress! This dish is wonderful served warm, traditionally accompanied by a piece of soft lavash bread to soak up every last drop of the delicious walnut sauce. It's also surprisingly tasty when served cold as an appetizer. Feel free to experiment with fresh herbs like cilantro or mint for a different aromatic twist. We hope you enjoy this unique and hearty dish that brings a taste of Georgian-inspired cooking to your table. Enjoy your meal!
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