Chicken gizzards are an underrated and often overlooked part of the chicken. However when prepared properly gizzards can be an incredibly tasty and unique addition to meals. The key is knowing how to make them tender. With the right techniques, you can transform tough and chewy gizzards into tender, flavorful delights.
In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about preparing chicken gizzards so they come out meltingly tender every time. We’ll cover:
- What are Chicken Gizzards?
- Benefits of Eating Chicken Gizzards
- Why Chicken Gizzards Are Tough
- Methods for Tenderizing Gizzards
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cooking Tips for Super Tender Gizzards
- Delicious Gizzard Recipes
What are Chicken Gizzards?
Chicken gizzards are the muscular stomachs of chickens. Their main function is to grind up food for digestion. Since gizzards are constantly contracting throughout a chicken’s life they contain a high amount of connective tissue and muscle fibers. This makes them naturally tough and chewy.
Gizzards are considered an organ meat and are often lumped together with chicken hearts and livers. However, gizzards have a distinct texture and flavor. When cooked properly, they become irresistibly tender with a rich, meaty taste.
Benefits of Eating Chicken Gizzards
Chicken gizzards are extremely nutritious. They are packed with protein, iron, zinc, magnesium, and B vitamins. Ounce for ounce, chicken gizzards contain more iron than chicken breast or thigh meat. The iron in gizzards is also more bioavailable than iron from plant sources.
Additionally, gizzards are budget-friendly and sustainable. As an oft-discarded odd bit, they are very inexpensive to purchase. Making use of the whole chicken helps reduce food waste.
So by cooking up a batch of tender gizzards, you can treat yourself to a mouthwatering, nutritious, and eco-friendly meat. It’s a winning combination!
Why Chicken Gizzards Are Tough
Chicken gizzards are naturally tough and chewy. This texture comes from their abundance of collagen, elastin, and muscle fibers.
Collagen is a tough, fibrous protein that provides structure and elasticity to connective tissues like tendons and ligaments. Gizzards need a lot of collagen to withstand constant muscle contractions.
Elastin is another protein that allows tissues to stretch and return to their original shape. It cooperates with collagen to create elasticity.
Finally, gizzards have a high ratio of muscle fibers to fat and bone. Muscles are composed of bundled fibers that tighten and relax to create movement. The fibers are made of a protein called myosin. An abundance of myosin makes meat tougher.
When these three elements – collagen, elastin, and muscle fiber – combine, they create an extremely chewy, rubbery texture.
Thankfully, there are several methods for breaking down those tough tissues to yield tender gizzards.
Methods for Tenderizing Gizzards
To make gizzards tender, you need to break down the collagen, elastin, and muscle fibers. This can be accomplished through mechanical or chemical tenderizing techniques. Here are some of the most effective gizzard tenderizing methods:
Long, Slow Cooking
The traditional technique for tender gizzards is long, slow moist heat cooking. When cooked for an extended time in liquid at a gentle simmer or braise, the collagen gradually breaks down into gelatin. This leaves the gizzards fall-apart tender.
Marinating
Marinating gizzards in an acidic liquid like wine, vinegar, yogurt, citrus juice, or tomato sauce helps weaken the tough muscle fibers through denaturation. The acids partially unravel the bundled myosin proteins.
Mechanical Tenderizing
Processing gizzards by pounding, grinding, massaging, or mincing them physically disrupts the structure of the meat. This makes the tissues less dense and easier to chew.
Enzyme Tenderizing
Enzyme tenderizers like papain, bromelain, and ficin break down proteins. When applied to gizzards, they help digest the tough collagen, elastin, and myosin.
By harnessing one or more of these tenderizing techniques, you can transform rubbery gizzards into tender and tasty morsels.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now let’s walk through the complete process for preparing irresistibly tender chicken gizzards:
1. Clean the Gizzards
Rinse the gizzards under cold running water. Use a paring knife to carefully trim off any excess fat or sinew.
2. Simmer in Liquid
Place the cleaned gizzards in a pot and cover with broth, water, or sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
3. Cook Low and Slow
Let the gizzards simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The extended cooking allows the collagen to break down fully.
4. Drain and Finish
Drain the tenderized gizzards. At this point, they are ready to add to soups, stews, and gravies. Or, give them a final sear, bake, or grill to concentrate the flavors.
And that’s really all there is to it! With this simple process of cleaning, slow simmering, and draining, you can guarantee tender gizzards every time.
Cooking Tips for Super Tender Gizzards
Here are some extra tips to take your gizzards from tender to melt-in-your-mouth:
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Simmer in an acidic cooking liquid: Wine, vinegar, tomato sauce, and citrus juice all help further tenderize the gizzards during cooking.
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Combine cooking methods: Get the benefits of both moist and dry heat by braising first, then searing or broiling. The initial braise tenderizes while the high heat crisps and caramelizes.
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Cook beyond 1 1/2 hours: The longer the simmer, the more tender the gizzards become. Cook for up to 3 hours for ultra-soft gizzards that shred with just a fork.
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Use an Instant Pot: The high pressure environment of the Instant Pot produces insanely tender gizzards in a fraction of the normal time. Cook for just 20-30 minutes.
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Shred, chop, or grind: Mechanically tenderizing the gizzards after cooking enhances tenderness. Shred with two forks, give a rough chop, or grind them up in a food processor.
With a little time, care, and creativity, you can enjoy chicken gizzards with a texture so tender, they practically melt away.
Delicious Gizzard Recipes
Now that you know how to transform tough gizzards into tender morsels, let’s look at some tasty ways to enjoy them:
Simmered Gizzards – The simple classics of chicken and gizzards gently cooked in broth or wine makes a comforting soup or stew.
Smothered Gizzards – Braise gizzards in a rich, flavorful sauce like mushroom gravy or creole sauce poured over rice.
Fried Gizzards – For the ultimate textural contrast, bread and fry boiled gizzards until crispy and golden.
Skewered Gizzards – Alternate tender boiled gizzards with veggies and pineapple on skewers for colorful kabobs.
Curried Gizzards – Indian-spiced gizzards are delicious as a stew or stuffed into samosas or flatbread with chutney.
Gizzard “Wings” – Dredge boiled, shredded gizzards in sauce and stuff into a roasted pepper for the perfect low-carb game day snack.
The possibilities are endless! Chicken gizzards take well to global flavors from Cajun to Thai. With the simple tricks above for making gizzards tender, you can enjoy this versatile, tasty, and nutritious meat in so many ways.
Ingredients in Chicken Gizzard:
- Chicken Gizzards: These are the star of our dish, providing a unique and hearty texture.
- Garlic: A must for infusing our dish with its signature aroma and taste.
- Onions: When sautéed, these give a delicious sweetness and complexity to the flavor of the dish.
- Green bell pepper: This introduces a crunchy texture and a pop of fresh, green color.
- Carrots: These tender, lightly sweet veggies complement the savory taste of the gizzards superbly.
- Tomatoes: Adding depth, color, and a little acidity, tomatoes help balance the dish’s overall flavor.
- Bay Leaves: An incredible herb that infuses the dish with a subtle, complex aroma.
- Smoked Paprika: This remarkable spice introduces a smoky edge to the dish.
- Chicken Stock: It’s amazing how this infuses everything with a deep, savory taste.
- Olive Oil: This ties all the flavors together and helps emulsify the dish, creating a unified whole.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing the other flavors in the dish.
How To Cook Chicken Gizzard
- Clean the chicken gizzards thoroughly in cold water to remove any grit.
- Next, in a large pot, cover the gizzards with cold water.
- Add your chosen herbs and spices for an intense flavor infusion.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer.
- Keep simmering for about 3 hours until the gizzards are tender.
- Meanwhile, prepare your favorite sauce or gravy to complement the dish.
- Once the gizzards are done and tender, drain them and set aside.
- Next, heat a skillet and add a dribble of oil.
- Transfer the gizzards to the skillet and sauté until slightly golden.
- Artfully pour your prepared sauce or gravy over the sautéed gizzards.
- Let the gizzards simmer in the sauce or gravy for a few minutes.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning to your personal preference, if necessary.
- Transform your gizzards to a serving dish and garnish as desired.
- Serve soft, tasty chicken gizzards warm alongside your favorite side dish.
- Finally, sit back, relax, and enjoy this tasty, texturally-unique dish you’ve prepared!
- Always clean chicken gizzards thoroughly to remove any grit or dirt.
- Marinate gizzards before cooking to enhance the flavor and soften them.
- Slow-cook gizzards to ensure they become tender and absorb flavors better.
- Use sharp knives for cutting gizzards to prevent tearing or uneven sizes.
- Remember, overcooking can make gizzards tough; check for tenderness while simmering.
- Add your favorite spices to give the dish a personalized touch.
- Boiling: A method where gizzards are submerged in hot liquid until thoroughly cooked.
- Stir-frying: Fast-paced cooking in a heated pan, mixing ingredients constantly.
- Deep-Frying: Immersing gizzards in hot oil gives them a crispy, flavorful exterior.
- Grilling: Cooking gizzards on a grill over direct heat giving a smoky flavor.
- Slow-Cooking: This technique involves cooking gizzards at a low temperature for an extended period.
- Sautéing: Gizzards are quickly fried using a small amount of fat.
- Roasting is a dry heat cooking method that results in a browned and flavorful gizzard.
- Pressure Cooking: This technique uses steam pressure to cook gizzards quickly.
- Steaming: Gizzards are cooked by steam heat, keeping them tender and moist.
- Marinating: Soaking gizzards in a mixture of ingredients to enhance their flavor.
The Secret to Tender Chicken Gizzards Every Time! These Chicken Gizzards Actually Taste Good!
FAQ
How do you cook gizzards so they are not tough?
Take cooled gizzards, dredge in flour,egg, then seasoned flour. THIS IS THE VERY IMPORTANT PART! FLOUR– EGG– SEASONED FLOUR– IN THAT ORDER! Place the gizzards in the fry pan and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, turning occasionally.
How long does it take for boil gizzards to get them tender?
Bring gizzards to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 2 1/2 hours. Pour in more water during simmering, if needed, to keep gizzards covered.
How long do you cook chicken gizzards for?
Place gizzards in a saucepan with enough water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil over medium heat, cover, and cook for 1 1/2 hours.
Is eating chicken gizzards good for you?
Chicken gizzards are one of the healthiest portions of chicken. Rich in protein, they are also great for digestion and are a high source of vitamins. If you’re wondering what a “gizzard” is, it is the stomach of birds. Here lie all the nutrients that your body needs.
How do you cook chicken gizzards?
Here are some of the most popular methods: Boiling chicken gizzards is a simple and easy way to cook them. To do so, place the gizzards in a pot and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and let the gizzards simmer for about an hour, or until they are tender. Frying chicken gizzards is another popular method.
How to make tender chicken gizzards?
If you want to know how to make tender chicken gizzards, these are the best gizzards ever! Pressure cook for 15 to 20 minutes, cool dry them, and dip in egg, roll them Panko flakes, and fry until brown, salt and serve. To those who say to boil them for 15 minutes before fryingwhat is your definition of tender?
Can you cook chicken gizzards with baking soda?
Tenderize chicken gizzards with baking soda in 15 minutes for a moist, tender result; no need to boil them, just follow simple steps for perfect gizzards. Texture counts for a lot when cooking different cuts of meat and poultry, and one of the drawbacks of using gizzards is that they’re pretty tough unless you prepare them correctly.
Can you cook chicken gizzards in a slow cooker?
Cooking chicken gizzards low and slow is a great way to make them tender and flavorful. To do so, place the gizzards in a slow cooker with some broth or water and let them cook on low heat for several hours, or until they are tender. Deep-frying chicken gizzards is a popular way to enjoy them as a snack or appetizer.
Are chicken gizzards ready to cook?
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.
How do you make gizzards tender?
Baking soda works. Soaked the gizzards overnight and add baking soda to the water the next day for about 1 hour. Drained the water, rinsed them and fry’em up. Oh so tender. I boil mine in crab boil until extremely tender then lightly bread and flash fry. Awesome!!! I tried Gizzard Chef’s method and man were those gizzards tender and good.