Instant Pot Chicken Gizzards - Tasty Recipes and Cooking Tips

Cooking Up Delicious Chicken Gizzards in Your Instant Pot

Chicken gizzards are an underutilized and nutrient-dense part of the bird that can be cooked up quickly and easily in your instant pot. These small organs pack a flavorful punch and can be prepared in dozens of delicious ways. Read on to learn how to select, prep, and cook chicken gizzards using the versatile instant pot.

Selecting Quality Chicken Gizzards

Look for gizzards that are solid, firm and plump when raw, with no spots or blemishes. They should have a dark red hue and moist appearance. Check the sell-by date and pick the freshest package. Size varies from about 2-3 ounces each. Buy them fresh or thawed rather than frozen. Opt for gizzards from organic, free-range chickens when possible for better flavor and texture.

Preparing Chicken Gizzards for Cooking

Rinse gizzards and pat dry. Trim off any excess fat or membrane. Cut larger gizzards in half or quarters if desired. Marinate for added moisture and flavor - try oil, vinegar, garlic, chili sauce or Worcestershire sauce. For extra tender gizzards, simmer in water for 20-30 minutes until firm but not tough. Pat dry before adding seasonings. Chicken gizzards take well to Cajun, jerk, barbecue or garlic pepper flavors.

Why Cook Chicken Gizzards in an Instant Pot?

An instant pot cooks chicken gizzards to tender perfection in a fraction of the time of other methods. The pressurized environment tenderizes tough cuts quickly. Gizzards cook up moist and flavorful instead of chewy. The versatile instant pot lets you sauté ingredients first for more flavor. You can brown gizzards before pressure cooking without dirtying extra pans. Clean up is easy too. Using an instant pot means you can enjoy chicken gizzards any night of the week.

Basic Instant Pot Chicken Gizzards

This simple recipe turns out tasty chicken gizzards in about 30 minutes. The seasonings infuse the gizzards with savory flavor. Adapt cooking times as needed based on quantity and size of gizzards.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken gizzards, trimmed and rinsed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1⁄2 tsp cumin
• 1⁄2 tsp salt
• 1⁄4 tsp pepper
• 1 c chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Select Sauté setting on instant pot and heat oil. Add gizzards and cook 5 minutes until browned.
2. Add garlic and seasonings and sauté 1 minute more.
3. Add chicken broth and stir to scrape any browned bits from bottom.
4. Secure lid and set valve to Sealing position.
5. Select Manual/Pressure Cook setting at high pressure for 8 minutes.
6. Release pressure carefully using quick release method.
7. Uncover and serve gizzards warm.

Spicy Mexican Chicken Gizzards

These gizzards get kicked up a notch with bold Mexican seasonings, jalapeno and tomato. The spices give a festive zing to the tender cooked gizzards. Serve them stuffed into tortillas or over rice.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken gizzards, trimmed and rinsed
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 jalapeno, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1⁄2 c chicken broth
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1⁄4 cup cilantro, chopped

Instructions:

1. Select Sauté setting and heat oil. Add jalapeno and gizzards and cook 5 minutes.
2. Stir in garlic and spices and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add tomatoes, broth, lime juice. Stir.
4. Secure lid, set valve to Sealing, and cook at high pressure 8 minutes.
5. Use quick release method to release pressure.
6. Add cilantro before serving.

Chicken Gizzards with Gravy

These homestyle gizzards are cooked until tender then simmered with cream of mushroom soup to make a creamy gravy. It's perfect served over mashed potatoes, rice or biscuits.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken gizzards, trimmed and rinsed
• 1⁄2 tsp salt
• 1⁄4 tsp pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1⁄2 lb mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 c chicken broth
• 1 (10.5oz) can cream of mushroom soup
• Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Season gizzards with salt and pepper.
2. Select Sauté and heat oil. Add gizzards and brown for 3-4 minutes.
3. Transfer gizzards to a plate. To pot, add onions and mushrooms. Cook 5 minutes.
4. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Stir in flour and cook 2 minutes more.
6. Whisk in chicken broth, scraping any brown bits.
7. Return gizzards to pot and secure lid. Cook at high pressure for 6 minutes.
8. Release pressure with natural release method, about 15 minutes.
9. Remove lid and add mushroom soup. Simmer 5 minutes until thickened.
10. Garnish with parsley before serving.

BBQ Chicken Gizzards

Barbecue sauce gives these gizzards a sweet, tangy flavor. They make for a hearty snack or sandwich filling. Grill or broil them after cooking for added texture and smokiness.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken gizzards, trimmed and rinsed
• 1⁄4 cup barbecue sauce
• 1⁄4 cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1⁄2 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together barbecue sauce, broth, brown sugar, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder and pepper.
2. Add gizzards and stir until well coated in sauce mixture. Marinate 30 minutes.
3. Add gizzard mixture to instant pot insert. Secure lid.
4. Cook on Manual/Pressure Cook at high pressure for 6 minutes.
5. Allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.
6. Quick release remaining pressure and remove lid.
7. For crispy gizzards, broil or grill 3-5 minutes until browned.

Chicken and Gizzards Stew

This hearty stew uses chicken along with gizzards for added richness. Vegetables like onions, carrots and potatoes thicken the broth. The instant pot cooks the stew in under 30 minutes. Enjoy with crusty bread.

FAQs

How long should I cook chicken gizzards in an instant pot?

For 1 pound of trimmed chicken gizzards, cook at high pressure for 6-8 minutes. Adjust time as needed based on quantity and size of gizzards.

Do you have to pre-cook chicken gizzards before using the instant pot?

It is not necessary but you can simmer gizzards for 20-30 minutes to make them more tender before cooking in the instant pot.

What is the best way to prepare chicken gizzards for the instant pot?

Rinse gizzards, trim off fat and membranes, cut larger pieces if desired, marinate or season them, and pat dry before placing into the instant pot.

How can I thicken the sauce for chicken gizzards?

After pressure cooking, simmer the gizzards briefly with a slurry of cornstarch and water, cream of mushroom soup, or tomato paste to thicken the sauce.