Chicken gizzards are a nutritious and flavorful meat that just need a little TLC in the kitchen. With the right prep and cooking method, this tough cut can become tender and tasty. This article will guide you through the process of preparing and cooking chicken gizzards, covering essential steps and offering two delicious recipes to try at home.
1. Do I Need To Clean Store Bought Chicken Gizzards Before Cooking?
Pre-packaged chicken gizzards from the grocery store are ready to cook as-is with no cleaning needed. During commercial processing, gizzards are thoroughly cleaned, with the inner linings and membranes removed. This leaves just the muscle meat behind, tuurning it into a kitchen-ready ingredient.
At home, simply pat the gizzards dry, trim away any excess fat or membranes, and they are ready for your recipe. Chicken gizzards sold directly from a butcher shop may still have the inner linings attached so will require cleaning beforehand. Check your package of gizzards first to see if cleaning is needed before cooking.
2. How To Cook Chicken Gizzards
2.1. Sauteed Chicken Gizzards Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken gizzards, cleaned and trimmed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
- Salt, pepper, paprika to taste
Instructions
Pat gizzards dry thoroughly with paper towels. Season all over with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add gizzards and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until well browned on all sides. Transfer to a plate.
Reduce heat to medium. Add onions to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
Return gizzards to the skillet along with chicken broth. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Cover and cook for 25-30 minutes. Gizzards are done when very fork-tender but still retain their shape.
Uncover skillet and turn up heat to reduce any excess liquid to a glazy sauce.
Adjust seasonings to taste. Serve gizzards warm over rice or vegetables.
2.2. Fried Chicken Gizzards Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken gizzards, cleaned and trimmed
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tsp each salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika
- Peanut or vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
Soak gizzards in buttermilk for 30 minutes to tenderize.
In a shallow dish, mix flour and spices. Dredge gizzards in flour mixture until completely coated.
Heat 1 inch oil in a heavy skillet or pot to 350°F. Working in batches, fry gizzards for 4-6 minutes until deep golden brown.
Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Season with extra salt and pepper.
Serve warm with dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard or BBQ sauce. Enjoy!
With the right prep and seasonings, chicken gizzards transform into a textured, succulent meat. Both sautéing and frying add delicious flavor these nutritious nibbles. Cleaning store-bought gizzards is hassle-free. Now that you know how to cook up tender, savory gizzards at home! Try it in a salad, tacos or hearty stew for a health boost with great texture and taste.
