How to Make Southern Fried Chicken Gizzards - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's something undeniably satisfying about biting into a piece of crunchy, flavorful fried chicken. And while most people are familiar with fried chicken made with the usual cuts like thighs, wings, and breast, there's a lesser-known delicacy that deserves its moment in the spotlight: fried chicken gizzards. These small, flavorful pieces of offal are packed with rich, deep flavors and have a satisfyingly chewy texture when cooked just right.

For those who have never tried them befo...

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken gizzards, rinsed
  • 2 stalks celery, cut into chunks
  • 1 onion, cut into chunks
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 ½ teaspoons celery salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried Italian herb seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon Louisiana-style hot sauce
  • 3 cups oil for deep frying
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

Information

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 2 hrs 50 mins
  • Additional Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins
  • Servings: 6

  • Gather all ingredients.
  • Place chicken gizzards, celery, onion, bay leaves, and 1 teaspoon celery salt into a saucepan, and pour in enough water to cover the gizzards by 1 inch. 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.
  • Once cooked, remove gizzards to a bowl, discard celery and onion, and reserve the broth.
  • Season gizzards with 1/2 teaspoon celery salt, seasoned salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, cumin, and hot sauce, stirring to combine well.
  • Pour 1/3 cup of the reserved broth over the seasoned gizzards, and refrigerate for 30 minutes or more, stirring often. (Save or freeze the remaining broth for another use, if desired.)
  • Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Place flour in a plastic bag, and transfer the gizzards with their seasoning into the bag as well. Shake the bag to thoroughly coat the gizzards with flour.
  • Gently lower the gizzards into the hot oil in batches, and fry until golden brown, about 5 minutes per batch. Drain the gizzards on paper towels, and serve hot.
  • Nutrition

    305 cal.

    • Total Fat: 17g
    • Saturated Fat: 3g
    • Cholesterol: 190mg
    • Sodium: 594mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 21g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Total Sugars: 1g
    • Protein: 17g
    • Vitamin C: 6mg
    • Calcium: 31mg
    • Iron: 6mg
    • Potassium: 242mg