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!
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The key to making the best chicken gizzards is to begin by marinating them in buttermilk. We enhance the flavor further by adding hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
After marinating, the gizzards get coated in seasoned flour, much like the breading I use for chicken fried steak. When fried, they turn out wonderfully crispy and delicious. By following this three-step process to infuse flavor, you’ll enjoy a hint of spice in every bite!
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
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