In this recipe for Southern Fried Chicken Gizzards, the gizzards take a flavorful soak in a spicy mix of buttermilk and hot sauce. After that, they get coated in seasoned flour and fried until they achieve a golden brown perfection!
Fried Chicken Gizzards
For a dish that’s both unique and delicious, Fried Chicken Gizzards are an excellent choice. This dish features crispy, deep-fried chicken gizzards served alongside plain white rice. The gizzards are browned to perfection, offering a satisfying crunch with each bite.
A Unique Culinary Experience
Fried Chicken Gizzards are known for their distinct texture and rich flavor. When cooked properly, they become tender on the inside while maintaining a crispy exterior. The combination of the crunchy gizzards and the soft rice creates a delightful contrast that makes this dish a standout.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether you’re looking for a unique appetizer, a tasty snack, or a main course, Fried Chicken Gizzards fit the bill. They’re versatile enough to be enjoyed on their own or paired with various sides and sauces. The simplicity of the white rice allows the flavors of the gizzards to shine.
Easy to Prepare
Despite their unique texture, chicken gizzards are relatively easy to prepare. The key is to cook them until they are tender before frying them to achieve that perfect crispy coating. Seasoning them well and serving them hot ensures a delicious and satisfying meal.
A Crowd-Pleaser
This dish is sure to intrigue and delight your family and friends. Its unique texture and rich flavor make it a hit with those looking to try something different. Plus, the ease of preparation means you can enjoy more time at the table and less time in the kitchen.
Fried Chicken Gizzards
What Are Gizzards?
Gizzards are a muscle found in most fowl or the organs of a chicken. They are quite small, and their texture is different from typical chicken meat.
Because they can be chewy, cooking them right is crucial to avoid toughness. In this chicken gizzards recipe, they soak in a buttermilk bath. The acid in the buttermilk helps tenderize them without sacrificing their distinctive taste.
Why You Will Love This Chicken Gizzard Recipe
- Budget-friendly: Using this affordable ingredient is a smart way to save money on groceries.
- Great flavor and texture: The gizzards are perfectly seasoned, providing a delicious meal idea.
- Easy to make: While not necessarily quick due to marinating time, with a bit of planning, these are simple enough for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Apart from the chicken gizzards, this recipe relies on common pantry items! Chances are, you already have many of them in your kitchen.
- Gizzards: Purchase them packaged from the refrigerated poultry section in most grocery stores.
Buttermilk: Used for marinating and tenderizing the gizzards.
Hot sauce: Adds flavor to the marinade and can also be served for dipping.
Self-rising flour: This pre-seasoned and prepared flour is ideal for coating meats.
Seasonings: A blend of seasoned salt, black pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and paprika. The addition of garlic powder gives it a distinctive flavor, and cayenne and paprika provide a kick.
Oil: Use vegetable oil suitable for high heat, as it’s for frying purposes.
How to Serve Chicken Gizzards
- Serve the chicken gizzards right after cooking! Here are some ideas to turn them into the star of your meal:
- Sauces for Crispy Gizzards: Enjoy them with dipping sauces like hot sauce, Ranch Dip, Remoulade Sauce, Homemade Gravy, or Chipotle BBQ Sauce. They’re tasty on their own too.
- Southern Fried Side Dishes: Pair them with classic Southern fried sides like Fried Okra, Fried Pickles, Fried Onion Rings, and Fried Green Tomatoes.
- More Southern-Style Sides: Complement your gizzards with sides like Mustard Greens or Collard Greens, Southern Green Beans, and Creamed Spinach.
Tips
- Here are some tips for the best results when preparing gizzards:
- Deep Fryer: If you have a deep fryer, it works best. This ensures even cooking on all sides without needing to flip them. If not, use a smaller, deeper pan to keep the oil level high.
- Marinate: The marinating step is crucial for tenderizing the gizzards, softening the toughness of the meat.
FAQs
What do chicken gizzards taste like?
Chicken gizzards have a distinctive taste—chewier than regular chicken meat. The flavor is reminiscent of dark meat, like chicken legs and thigh pieces.
How do you make chicken gizzards tender?
There are two ways to tenderize gizzards. Slow cooking over low heat in liquid is one method. For fried gizzards, marinating with ingredients like buttermilk helps break down the toughness of the muscle.
Be sure to check out these other great chicken recipes!
Buffalo Chicken Soup
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Creamy White Chicken Chili
Fried Chicken Gizzards
Ingredients
- 1 pound gizzards
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 tsp hot sauce
- 1 ¼ cup self rising flour
- 1 tbsp plus 2 tsp seasoned salt
- 1 ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- First, remove the extra parts from the chicken gizzards. Put buttermilk and hot sauce in a plastic bag and shake it. Add the gizzards to the bag and let them soak for 1-2 hours.
- In a big bag, mix flour, seasoned salt, black pepper, garlic powder, cayenne, and paprika. Stir until everything is mixed together.
- After the gizzards have soaked, put a few at a time in the seasoned flour bag. Shake them to cover evenly, then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Put the sheet in the fridge for 20 minutes to make the flour stick.
- Heat oil on medium-high. Make sure the oil is at least 2-3 inches deep. Fry the gizzards until they're golden brown, then put them on paper towels to soak up the extra oil.
Notes
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Fried Chicken Gizzards