Cooking Chicken Gizzards: A Keto-Friendly Guide

Chicken gizzards are a popular delicacy in many parts of the world, including Africa, Brazil, and Nigeria. They are considered a nutritious and tasty snack, appetizer, or party food. Gizzards are a part of the chicken's digestive tract and are known for their tough texture, but when cooked properly, they become tender and delicious. Gizzards can be boiled, fried, grilled, stewed, or skewered, and are typically seasoned with various spices to enhance their flavour. Preparing chicken gizzards in a keto-friendly manner involves using alternative ingredients such as coconut or almond flour for breading and frying in oils like peanut, coconut, avocado, or olive oil. This paragraph introduces the topic of cooking chicken gizzards while adhering to a keto diet, providing an overview of the dish's popularity, preparation methods, and keto-friendly adaptations.

Crock Pot Chicken Gizzards

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of organic cilantro, washed and cleaned from stems
• 3 large cloves of organic garlic, peeled and sliced
• 1 small organic onion
• 1 pound of free-range chicken gizzards
• 1/4 cup Passata di Pomodoro
• A good pinch of Celtic sea salt

Method:

Add all the ingredients to your crock pot and mix well, ensuring the gizzards are moistened and partially submerged.

Cook on a low heat setting for 6 hours.

Serve with cauliflower rice or cassava flour.

Tips:

This recipe is a great way to cook chicken gizzards, as the slow cooker will ensure that they are tender and soft. The gizzards will melt in your mouth, with no trace of gaminess or funky flavour.

Chicken gizzards are a very popular food worldwide and are especially delicious when cooked in a crock pot or slow cooker. Gizzards are a great, budget-friendly protein option and are highly nutritious, being a good source of selenium, B12, zinc, and iron.

This recipe is inspired by the famous Cravinho bar in Salvador Bahia, Brazil, where gizzards are served as bar snacks.

Keto Fried Chicken Gizzards

Chicken gizzards are a popular delicacy in many parts of the world, including Africa, and can be prepared in a variety of ways, including boiling, frying, grilling, stewing, or skewering. They are considered a nutritious and inexpensive food, packed with selenium, B12, zinc, and iron.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 pounds of chicken gizzards
• 1 cup of coconut flour or almond flour
• 1-2 tablespoons of Tony's seasoning (optional)
• 1-2 tablespoons of milk or water for the egg mixture
• Oil for frying (peanut, coconut, avocado, or olive oil are recommended)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Method:

Begin by cleaning the gizzards thoroughly. While some people choose to soak them in milk or saltwater, it is not necessary. Combine the gizzards with water in an electric pressure cooker and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes, allowing for a natural steam release. Alternatively, boil them on the stove. Drain and set aside to cool.

In a separate bowl, prepare the breading mixture by combining the flour and seasonings. Whisk the eggs in another bowl and add milk or water. Heat oil in a skillet, ensuring it covers about an inch of the bottom. Dip the gizzards in the egg mixture, followed by the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Carefully place them in the hot oil and fry for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels and adjust seasoning as needed.

For an even healthier option, you can air fry the chicken gizzards. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F and combine the gizzards with a mixture of olive oil, garlic powder, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, and salt. Place the gizzards in a single row in the air fryer and cook for 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even browning. For extra crispiness, add 5 more minutes to the cooking time.

Enjoy your Keto Fried Chicken Gizzards as a snack or a side dish, pairing them with your favorite dipping sauce or enjoying them plain.

Air Fryer Chicken Gizzards

Chicken gizzards are a popular delicacy in Africa and several other countries. They are considered a nutritious and tasty snack, side dish, or appetizer. Gizzards are part of the chicken's organs, located in the digestive tract, and are full of protein and other nutrients.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 pounds of chicken gizzards
• 1 cup of coconut flour or almond flour
• 1-2 tablespoons of milk or water
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 cup of olive oil (for frying)
• 1 cup of Italian breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning or seasoning of choice
• 1 beaten egg

Method:

• Clean and rinse the gizzards thoroughly.
• If you wish to tenderize the gizzards, soak them in salt water for up to 2 hours, then rinse.
• Place the gizzards in a pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15-30 minutes.
• Drain the gizzards and let them cool.
• In a bowl, mix together the flours and seasonings (optional).
• In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and add milk or water.
• Dip the gizzards in the egg mixture, then coat them in the flour mixture.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350-400 degrees F.
• Place the gizzards in the air fryer in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Spray with cooking oil.
• Air fry for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
• For extra crispiness, air fry for an additional 5 minutes.

Tips:

• Gizzards can be frozen and cooked straight from frozen.
• You can boil the gizzards first for extra tenderness before air frying.
• Cut the gizzards into bite-sized pieces for easier eating.
• Use your favorite seasonings to add extra flavor.

Boiled Chicken Gizzards

To make boiled chicken gizzards, start by washing the gizzards under running water. Place them in a pot and add water until the gizzards are covered. You can also add some salt and black pepper to taste. Bring the water to a rolling boil and cook the gizzards for 15 minutes for a slightly chewy texture, or longer if you prefer them more tender.

For an extra crispy texture, you can bread and fry the gizzards after boiling. To do this, first dip the gizzards in an egg wash, then coat them in a mixture of whey protein isolate or almond flour, and seasonings such as smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, or garlic. Fry the coated gizzards in oil at 150°C until crispy and brown.

You can also add boiled chicken gizzards to a soup or stew, or serve them as part of a larger meal. They are a versatile and nutritious option that can be prepared in a variety of ways to suit your taste preferences.

Peppered Chicken Gizzards

Ingredients:

• Chicken gizzards
• Olive oil (for frying)
• Red bell pepper
• Habanero pepper
• Onion
• Scallions (optional)
• Bouillon powder
• Black pepper
• Thyme
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt

Method:

First, wash your gizzards and place them in a pot with water, salt, and black pepper. Bring the water to a rolling boil and cook for 15 minutes (add a few extra minutes if you want them more tender). While the gizzards are boiling, blend the red bell pepper and habanero pepper. Drain the boiled gizzards in a colander.

Next, heat a large frying pan with olive oil. Fry the gizzards on high heat until crispy and golden brown. Remove from the oil and place on paper towels to absorb the excess.

In a separate pan, add half a cup of olive oil and chopped onions. After a few minutes, add in the blended peppers, bouillon powder, thyme, cayenne pepper, and salt. Fry for about 5 minutes on low heat. Add the fried gizzards to the sauce and stir until well mixed. Simmer on low heat for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with scallions and serve.

Tips:

• Gizzards are a nutritious and delicious snack, appetizer, or side dish.
• They can be boiled, fried, grilled, stewed, or skewered.
• Gizzards are usually found in the raw/fresh meat section of grocery stores, or you can buy them from a butcher.
• To tenderize the gizzards, cook them low and slow before frying. You can also try a buttermilk or salted water marinade.
• This recipe is quite spicy, but you can adjust the heat level by reducing the amount of habanero pepper or omitting it altogether.

Enjoy your Peppered Chicken Gizzards!

Frequently asked questions