Chicken Gizzards: Keto Superfood Or Not?

Chicken gizzards are a popular food item in many parts of the world, often consumed as a snack, appetiser, or street food. They are also keto-friendly. Gizzards are an organ found in the digestive tract of a chicken and are known for their tough texture. However, when cooked, they become tender and can be prepared in various ways, including boiling, frying, grilling, stewing, or skewering. They are also a good source of selenium, B12, zinc, and iron.

Chicken gizzards are keto-friendly

When it comes to preparing chicken gizzards, they can be boiled, fried, grilled, stewed, or skewered. A popular way to cook them is to fry them, and there are keto-friendly recipes available online that use coconut or almond flour for breading. Chicken gizzard soup is another keto-friendly option that is comforting, budget-friendly, and can be made in an Instant Pot, slow cooker, or on the stovetop.

Chicken gizzards are usually sold cleaned, but it is important to ensure they are well-cleaned before cooking. They can be purchased from grocery stores, butchers, or certain specialty shops. Gizzards are typically inexpensive, and you can buy a pound for just over a dollar, depending on where you live.

Chicken gizzards are a delicious and nutritious option for those following a keto diet. They can be prepared in a variety of ways and are a good source of many essential vitamins and minerals.

Chicken gizzards are nutritious

Gizzards are a tough muscle found in the digestive tract of a chicken, helping to grind up hard grains. They have a naturally tough texture but become tender when cooked. Gizzards are usually consumed as a snack, appetiser, street food, or party food and can be boiled, fried, grilled, stewed, or skewered.

One way to prepare chicken gizzards is to boil them with some salt and black pepper. They can then be fried in oil until crispy and golden brown. Another option is to use a slow cooker or Crock Pot, which can make the gizzards tender and melt-in-your-mouth. Gizzards can also be made into a soup, providing a comforting and budget-friendly meal that is packed with protein and iron.

Chicken gizzards are not only nutritious but also usually inexpensive and can be purchased from grocery stores or butchers. They are a delicious and healthy option for those following a keto diet or simply looking for a tasty snack.

Chicken gizzard soup

Chicken gizzards are keto-friendly and packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals. Here is a chicken gizzard soup recipe that is keto-friendly and can be made in an Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, or on a Stove Top.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs chicken gizzards
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or chives to garnish
• Other seasonings or vegetables (optional)
• Carnivore Noodles (optional)

Method:

Place all ingredients (except noodles) into your chosen cooking vessel.

For the Instant Pot: Lock the lid, turn the vent to seal, and cook on the Soup setting or manually for 40-60 minutes, depending on the size of the gizzards. Allow for a natural release for 10 minutes.

For the Crock Pot: Cook on a Low setting for 8-10 hours.

For the Stove Top: Simmer the gizzards for 2-3 hours or until tender.

Once the gizzards are tender, you can add in the noodles (if using). Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.

Tips:

• The soup will turn into gel due to the collagen released by the gizzards. You can water it down with chicken broth or water if desired.
• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Variations:

• For a vegetarian version, replace the gizzards and chicken broth with mushrooms and vegetable broth.
• For Paleo, forego dairy and use coconut milk instead of cream. Replace potatoes with sweet potatoes or turnips.

Chicken gizzards can be fried

Frying gizzards is a common practice in the Southern states of the US, and they are often served as a snack, appetiser, or party food. They can be marinated in buttermilk and hot sauce, then battered in seasoned flour before being fried to a golden brown. This process adds flavour and ensures the gizzards are tender.

• Trim any excess fat and gristle from the gizzards.
• Rinse the gizzards under cold running water.
• Place the gizzards in a pot of cold water and bring to a boil. Continue boiling for around 15 minutes.
• Strain the gizzards using a colander and allow them to cool.
• Prepare a flour mixture by combining flour with seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and paprika.
• Preheat vegetable oil in a skillet to around 365°F to 375°F (180°C to 190°C).
• Coat the gizzards with the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
• Carefully place the coated gizzards in the hot oil. Fry until they are golden brown.
• Reduce the heat to medium, cover the skillet, and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
• Remove the gizzards from the oil and drain them on paper towels.

Chicken gizzards can also be deep-fried. For this method, you can marinate the gizzards in buttermilk and hot sauce, then coat them in seasoned flour before deep-frying at 320°F (160°C) for 4-6 minutes or until golden brown.

Fried chicken gizzards are best served immediately, and they go well with dipping sauces such as hot sauce, ranch dip, or BBQ sauce. They can also be served with Southern-style side dishes like fried okra, fried pickles, or collard greens.

Chicken gizzards can be cooked in a slow cooker

Chicken gizzards are an excellent keto-friendly snack, side dish, or party food. They are also inexpensive and highly nutritious, being a good source of selenium, B12, zinc, and iron, among other vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds chicken gizzards
• 1 tablespoon chili powder, or more to taste
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 small bell pepper, diced
• 1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers (such as ROTEL®)
• 1 (16-ounce) container sour cream

Method:

• Trim and discard as much connective tissue from the gizzards as possible.
• Place the gizzards in a slow cooker and season with chili powder, cumin, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Add the onion and bell pepper.
• Mix the condensed soup and diced tomatoes with chile peppers together in a bowl. Pour this mixture over the gizzards.
• Cook on High for 3 to 4 hours, or until fork-tender.
• Stir in the sour cream and cook for a further 15 to 20 minutes.

This recipe is a hit with kids and adults alike and can be served over rice or in a tortilla like a burrito.

If you're looking for a simpler recipe, you can also cook chicken gizzards in a slow cooker with just chicken broth, salt, and pepper to taste. You can also add other seasonings or vegetables like celery and onion. Cook on low for around 4 hours, or until the gizzards are tender.

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