Ah, fried chicken gizzards—a true Southern comfort snack! Gizzards are flavorful, slightly chewy, and crispy when fried just right. Here’s a full guide:
Fried Chicken Gizzards Recipe
Servings: 3–4
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken gizzards, cleaned
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut)
Instructions
- Tenderize the gizzards:
- Soak cleaned gizzards in buttermilk for at least 2 hours (overnight is even better). This helps tenderize them and adds flavor.
- Prepare the coating:
- In a bowl, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the gizzards:
- Remove gizzards from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
- Dredge in the flour mixture, pressing lightly so the coating sticks.
- Heat the oil:
- Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Enough oil to cover the gizzards halfway.
- Fry the gizzards:
- Fry in batches for 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Serve:
- Sprinkle with a little extra salt and serve hot. Great with hot sauce, dipping sauces, or honey mustard.
💡 Tips:
- For extra tenderness, simmer gizzards in water with a pinch of salt and pepper for 30–40 min before soaking in buttermilk.
- Adjust spices in the flour for your preferred flavor (smoky, spicy, or garlicky).
- Serve with fries, pickles, or coleslaw for a true Southern-style plate.
If you want, I can make a “crispy, ultra-spicy Southern fried gizzards” version that’s extra crunchy and finger-licking good.
Do you want me to do that?