Chicken Gizzards: What They Are & How to Cook Them 🍗
Chicken gizzard are a small, muscular part of a chicken’s digestive system. Because chickens don’t have teeth, the gizzard grinds up food. When cooked properly, they become tender, flavorful, and very affordable.
Nutritional Benefits
Chicken gizzards are surprisingly nutritious:
- High in protein 💪
- Rich in iron and zinc
- Good source of vitamin B12
- Lower in fat than many other meats
How to Make Tender Chicken Gizzards
Because they’re muscular, gizzards cook best slowly.
Simple Tender Gizzards Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken gizzards
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 tbsp oil
Instructions
- Rinse and trim the gizzards.
- Boil them in salted water for 30–40 minutes until tender.
- Heat oil in a pan and sauté onion and garlic.
- Add the boiled gizzards and fry for 5–7 minutes until lightly crispy.
- Season with salt and pepper.
Other Popular Ways to Cook Them
- Fried gizzards – crispy and crunchy
- Stewed gizzards – slow-cooked with gravy
- Grilled gizzards – common in street food in many countries
- Gizzard curry – spicy and rich
Cooking Tip
If gizzards seem tough, they just need more cooking time. Simmering them longer makes them very tender.
✅ Fun fact: Chicken gizzards are especially popular in cuisines across Philippines, Jamaica, and the southern United States.
If you want, I can also share:
- The secret to making super crispy fried chicken gizzards 🍗
- A famous Southern-style gizzard recipe that restaurants use.
