What are Chicken Gizzards? Best ways to prepare them and more!

Have you ever been curious about the gizzards in a chicken? Find out where to get them, how to prepare and preserve them, and more information about chicken gizzards.

What are Chicken Gizzards?

All around the world, people prepare and eat chicken gizzards.

Grilled versions of this are popular street foods in both Haiti and Southeast Asia. They are also typically found cooked in Portugal and broiled in Africa and fried in Indonesia and Japan.

Deep-fried gizzards with spicy sauce are a common Southern American dish. Some versions of gumbo and crawfish boil recipes also call for it.

Pickled turkey gizzards are a staple in the cuisine of the Midwest, which is located a bit further north in the United States. Gizzards are so popular in Potterville, Michigan, that the town hosts an annual festival dedicated to them.

Gizzards vs. Giblets

A giblet can be anything else, but a gizzard always is. Confused? First, let's dissect this:

In this context, "giblets" refers to the internal organs of birds. The gizzard, heart, chicken liver, neck, and kidneys are the most common ones.

What Does ChickenGizzards Taste Like?

Gizzards, being made of muscle tissues, are quite meaty and have a rich, dark-meat chicken flavor.

How to Cook Chicken Gizzards

Gizzards are best cooked low and slow over a moist heat source. The connective tissues in the gizzards will contract when exposed to high heat, such as in a saute pan, turning them into chewy little balls of shoe leather.

Instead, braising (a slow cooking process) is used to break down the connective fibers. Maintain a temperature of 180°F to 205°F. Do not let them boil or they will become harsh.

After an hour or two of slow braising, the gizzards will become tender and the connective tissue will have turned into gelatin. Either serve immediately or allow to cool, after which you can bread (or batter) and deep-fry them till crisp. Then drizzle with garlic aioli and prepare to swoon.

Gizzards are best braised in a slow cooker. The low setting for most models is about 210 degrees Fahrenheit. It could take up to eight hours to achieve that temperature, so make sure to check the instructions.

Chicken Gizzard Recipes You Need to Try

Tacos, enchiladas, bolognese sauce, lasagna, and even soups, chili, and fried rice would all benefit from the addition of gizzards. They're even better when served slightly warmed alongside a side of greens. Put them in little pieces in your homemade stuffing. You could even wrap them in bacon and deep-fry them until they are crispy for an upscale appetizer. The gizzards should be chilled before being sliced to be firmer and easier to cut.

Nutritional Value

Whether you enjoy them or not, gizzards are a nutritious portion of the chicken. This is why:

• It contains an abundance of protein. You can get over 90 percent of your daily protein needs from only one chicken gizzard.
• Vitamins can be found in abundance in gizzards. Twenty-five percent of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin B12 is met with just one serving.
• Gizzards are low in fat despite having a high lean protein and a rich source of vitamin content.

How to Clean and Prepare Chicken Gizzards

• Get ready to roll up your sleeves and clean those gizzards if you brought them home with you.
• Before you even unpack your gizzard, you should have all the utensils and supplies you'll need for cooking and cleaning ready to go. Salmonella can be found in gizzards just like it can in other uncooked chicken parts. Avoid spreading infections around the kitchen by setting up your workspace before you bring the chicken into the situation.
• Use a sharp knife to split the gizzard in half.
• The gizzard, both inside and out, should be washed. Keep in mind that this organ grinds food while exposed to unpleasant materials like pieces of gravel and dirt.
• Spread the folds apart and use your fingertips to feel for and remove any remaining particles of dirt that the cool water may have missed.
• After washing the gizzard well (and we mean thoroughly; you can't skip this step), remove the whitish-yellow lining. If the lining does not separate from the flesh readily, use scissors to cut it.

How to Store Chicken Gizzards

When you arrive home from the store, the first thing you should do is put some raw gizzards in the refrigerator. To avoid contamination, keep them in a sealed container or plastic bag. You can eat it within two days, or you can freeze it and use it up to four months later.

Where to Buy Chicken Gizzards

You can find chicken gizzards and other chicken giblets at any supermarket or butcher shop. You don't have to worry about cleaning the gizzards you buy in the store. Ask your butcher or chicken farmer if their products have been pre-cleaned before you buy them.