Fried Chicken Liver Recipe (2024)

January 21, 2020

  • 4.86 from 27 votes
  • 17 comments
    • #Appetizer
    • #Chicken
    • #Liver
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This Fried Chicken Livers recipe is made by dredging the livers in flour, then quickly searing the outside to preserve the perfectly tender inside. The fried onions add a nice sweetness to balance out the flavor of the fried chicken liver.

Looking for more ways to enjoy liver? Try my country-style pate,liver mouse with balsamic onion, and this yummy Brussels sprouts and liver stir fry. They are fantastic.

Fried Chicken Liver Recipe (1)

The Best Chicken Liver Recipe

Growing up, enjoying a chicken liver recipe was very normal. Imagine my surprise when I learned that many people in the U.S. do not eat liver! I am convinced that if I could convince everyone to sample this chicken liver recipe, I would change everyone’s mind.

There are so many ways to enjoy liver, but this has to be my favorite one. Both the texture and the flavor is on point in this chicken liver recipe—you will hardly know what you are eating! In fact, this recipe has served as a “gateway” to organ meat for many friends and neighbors who have tried it out.

Pro Tips for frying Chicken Liver

If you haven’t made chicken liver before, you may not know where to begin or how to cook it properly. While this chicken liver recipe is super simple, there are a couple of tips and tricks you need to know to get the best possible result and I’m here to tell you all about it.

  • Soak the liver: soaking the chicken liver in milk gets rid of the metallic taste that sometimes people dislike. If you have no milk, soaking in water will work also, but not as well. You might want to do this if you’re sensitive to the taste. Personally, I don’t soak the chicken liver at all.
  • Season ONLY after frying: Seasoning before cooking will draw out the moisture and leave the liver tasting rubbery and dry. That’s why to preserve the perfect texture you must do it only after cooking.
  • Do not overcook: overcooking the liver will cause it to become chalky instead of soft and tender. Take care to just quickly sear the outside, without overcooking the inside.
  • Cook in batches: do not overcrowd the pan or the chicken livers will steam instead of sear, which will not be as delicious.
  • Use the oil from onions: start by browning the onion first, then use that oil to fry the livers. This will impart each bite of the liver with extra flavor.

Fried Chicken Liver Recipe (2)

How to Cook Chicken Livers:

  • Soak the livers, then drain.
  • Caramelize the onions in a skillet with oil. Remove onion to a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Then remove the oil to another container.
  • Split the two lobes of the chicken liver into two halves if they’re attached, then dredge in flour.
  • Heat a non-stick skillet with some of the oil from frying the onion and sear the chicken livers in batches over medium heat. Do not overcook or the liver will taste chalky. You can use a splatter guard to prevent the oil from splattering.
  • Remove to a wire rack and allow the excess oil to drip off. Season with salt and pepper right away.
  • To serve: layer the liver on the bottom of a serving platter, top with caramelized onions, then chopped parsley, then season the onions by sprinkling on some salt, if needed.

What to serve this Chicken Liver Recipe with?

In my family, the only way we eat it is withmashed potatoes and pickles.

But, if you wanted you can add some green beans or corn on the cob, those are good choices as well.
If you would like it as an appetizer, you can serve it atop a toasted sliced baguette.

Try These Other Amazing Chicken Recipes:

  • Baked Lemon Chicken Recipe
  • Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Chicken
  • Chicken, Mushroom and Potato Casserole
  • Chicken Meatballs (Kotleti)

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Fried Chicken Liver & Onion Rings

Fried Chicken Liver Recipe (3)

4.86 from 27 votes

This Fried Chicken Livers recipe is made by dredging the livers in flour, then quickly searing the outside to preserve the perfectly tender inside. The fried onions add a nice sweetness to balance out the flavor of the fried chicken liver.

Author: Marina | Let the Baking Begin

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Russian

Keyword: chicken liver

Calories: 248 kcal

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Soak & Rinse the livers: Rinse 1 lb of chicken livers under running water, then, soak in milk for up to a couple of hours to help remove the metalicky taste (optional). Next, place in a colander and rinse under running water again to rinse from the milk. Cut the two lobes of the livers in half.

  2. Fry the onions: Meanwhile, peel and cut the onion into 1/4" half rings. Add 1/2 cup of oil to a large skillet and cook the onion, stirring often over medium heat until the onions are golden in color. Then, remove the onions with a slotted spoon to one bowl and the oil to a different bowl. Set aside both.

  3. Dredge livers: Add 1 cup of all-purpose flour to a deep bowl, then dredge the liver in flour shaking off excess.

  4. Fry the livers: add 3-4 tbsp of oil we set aside earlier to a large skillet and preheat over medium heat. Now, add the dredged in flour chicken livers and cook over medium heat in batches, without overcrowding the pan on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.

    Tip: You can use a splatter guard to prevent the oil from splattering everywhere or cover with lid only partially. Do not cover with a lid completely, or the outside will not get crispy.

    Tip: As you cook in batches, it might be useful to use a paper towel to clean the skillet between each batch, otherwise the little leftover pieces burn in the next batch.

    Do not overcook the liver or it will taste chalky. The livers should be velvety smooth on the inside with slightly pink centers.

    Transfer to a paper towel-lined platter and sprinkle with salt and pepper right away.

  5. Serve on top of a piece of bread, placing the onions on top of the liver, or with mashed potatoes.

Recipe Notes

Notes Serve as an appetizer on top of a fresh sliced baguette or with a side of mashed potatoes for an entree.

Nutrition Facts

Fried Chicken Liver & Onion Rings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 248Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 391mg130%

Sodium 81mg4%

Potassium 294mg8%

Carbohydrates 24g8%

Protein 22g44%

Vitamin A 12560IU251%

Vitamin C 20.3mg25%

Calcium 14mg1%

Iron 11.6mg64%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Fried Chicken Liver Recipe (4)

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American, Russian / Ukrainian, 30 Minute Meals, Liver, Onion

Marina | Let the Baking Begin

Fried Chicken Liver Recipe (5)

Welcome to Let the Baking Begin! I'm Marina and my love and passion for eating only the most delicious foods drive me to share that love here on Let the Baking Begin (since 2009). With over 20 years of experience in the kitchen, you know the recipes are tested and retested until perfect. I'm so happy to have you here. Enjoy! Read more...

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Fried Chicken Liver Recipe (12)

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  • Marny CA

    If preparing this for someone who is kosher – make sure to NOT use milk.

    Dairy and Milk are never mixed in the same dish or recipe.

    No milk, no butter – if making a meat dish – and invited guest might be kosher.

    · Reply

  • joseph

    Simple ingredients and recipe’s I like to use. Thank you very much.

    · Reply

  • Leilani

    My family loved this recipe of chicken liver. Very tasty! Thank you

    · Reply

    • Marina | Let the Baking Begin

      Thank you for sharing your feedback Leilani!

      · Reply

  • lonwabokazi Daniso

    5 STARS

    · Reply

  • Dorothy Wilson

    Have you ever sautéed them in a red wine are used Lambrusco or sangria? Yummy

    · Reply

    • Marina | Let the Baking Begin

      I haven’t tried that, but it sounds delicious!

      · Reply

  • Lynn

    I’ll try your paté next. Made your Olivier Salad too — delicious!

    · Reply

  • Lynn

    These were so good! I never would have expected that frying the livers in the onions’ oil would make such a difference, but it did! I want to make these again soon, but the quality of the chicken livers is pretty poor at my local grocery store. I’m determined to find better (organic?) chicken liver. Thanks for a great recipe.

    · Reply

    • Marina | Let the Baking Begin

      First time I did this by mistake I also couldn’t believe the difference. I’m glad you enjoyed them as well! By the way, this type of preparing liver works for pork liver as well, just make sure to slice it thinly.

      · Reply

  • Cleo Borchert

    I love chickenliver. In The Netherlands we eat it with bacon. So yummie!

    · Reply

    • Marjolein

      I was going to say that too …. and you can have it with beefsteak also… a la “Loetje” so yummy

      · Reply

  • Luba

    Looks delish!! Going to buy some livers today. LOVE your awesome recipes .

    · Reply

  • mylastbite

    Fantastic!

    · Reply

  • Nina's Culinary Creations

    Spasiba Marina! Thank you so much for this incredible recipe. We love chicken liver a lot and I cook it in few diffrent ways but never like this. Definetly I will try your recipe. Thank you again!
    🙂 Nina

    · Reply

  • Marina

    Hi Nina,
    Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a wonderful comment 🙂 It really means a lot to hear a feedback like that 😀 If you ever want to know what something is, don’t hesitate to ask and I’ll answer right away 🙂 I try to interpret all of my recipes the best I can, but the lack of time just gets the best of me I guess))

    · Reply

  • Nina's Culinary Creations

    Hello Marina!
    I like your blog new face; I like your prezentations A LOT even if I don’t know what it is! The pictures are AWSOME!!!
    CONGRATULATIONS!
    Nina

    · Reply

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Fried Chicken Liver Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should I soak chicken livers in milk before frying? ›

Soak chicken livers in milk for up to a couple of hours to help remove any strong flavors. Place livers in a colander and rinse under cold water; discard milk. Cut each liver in half. Pour ½ cup oil into large skillet and bring to 350°.

How do you keep chicken livers from splattering when frying? ›

Fry the livers until dark golden brown before flipping, which takes about 2 or 3 minutes depending on the size of the piece. If the liver releases a lot of juice while frying on the first side, sprinkle a pinch of the dredging flour on the top to absorb the moisture and prevent splattering.

What makes chicken livers pop when frying? ›

Since they're packed with moisture, liver is prone to splattering during frying. Letting them sit for a couple minutes in the seasoned flour before coating the other side will allow more flour to be absorbed into the egg, creating a thicker, crunchier barrier around the creamy inside.

Do you wash chicken livers before frying? ›

Jul 30, 2021

Do not wash or rinse raw meat or poultry before you cook it. Washing can cause bacteria found on the surface of meat or poultry to be spread to ready-to-eat foods, kitchen utensils, and counter surfaces.

How long do you soak chicken liver in milk? ›

If you want, you can soak the chicken livers in milk for an hour or so before proceeding with the recipe. Soaking the livers in milk will take a bit of the edge off the liver and make them taste milder.

How long should liver stay in milk before cooking? ›

Soak the liver in a dish or bowl of milk for 30-60 minutes. This is an important step in removing the bitter flavor from the liver. Salt and pepper the liver generously, and leave it out at room temperature while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

Why do you soak chicken livers in milk? ›

Soaking livers of any kind in a milk and salt mixture removes excess blood from the livers. Resulting in a smoother, less game like and a more pleasurable taste for the majority of people. Of course soaking is not really needed. Simple as that really.

How do you get the iron taste out of chicken livers? ›

This is because buttermilk (and milk in general) contains calcium. The alkaline calcium interacts with chicken liver and tempers its acidic nature to leave a mild-tasting liver. Milk also helps remove any blood left in the liver, making it taste less metallic.

Why are chicken livers sometimes bitter? ›

The fact liver also produces bile, however, can perhaps also help to explain the slightly bitter aftertaste of this type of meat.

Are fried chicken livers unhealthy? ›

“Liver, gizzards and other organ meats are very high in cholesterol (each chicken liver has about 250 mg cholesterol), and don't really provide a lot of nutritional value,” Thayer said. “Unless you really love liver, limiting your intake is a good idea.”

How often should you eat fried chicken livers? ›

Eating large amounts of liver can lead to symptoms of vitamin A toxicity, which happens when your own liver can't process the excess vitamin A quickly enough. Most doctors recommend that people without vitamin deficiencies eat just one serving of liver per week.

How do you know when fried liver is done? ›

Add liver (work in batches if necessary) and cook until browned on one side. Flip and cooked the other side just until browned. Cooking time will vary, but should be minutes. The liver should be pink in the middle and no more than medium.

How do you know when chicken liver is fully cooked? ›

Livers should be cooked until they are no longer bloody in the core. Colour is not a reliable indicator of effective cooking. Studies have shown that liver tissue can remain pink after it has reached a safe temperature (see figure 2). Ensure juice from uncooked livers does not leak onto other foods.

What is the green stuff in chicken livers? ›

The green coloring is due to bile leaching out from the gallbladder and into the liver. Green livers are not harmful if eaten but are removed and condemned in the slaughter plant for aesthetic reasons. Sometimes the gallbladder or a portion of it remains attached to the liver. It looks like a green pill.

Is it good to soak liver in milk before cooking? ›

Some chefs insist on soaking in salt and lemon water. Others opt to soak in ice water or milk to lessen the intensity from an older animal. Others suggest that you should never soak a fresh liver and that its quick preparation is part of the appeal.

What is the best way to soak chicken livers? ›

If you're out of buttermilk, others also swear by the lemon juice or vinegar-soaking methods. In these cases, you would need water and ¼ cup of vinegar or lemon juice to soak approximately ½ pound of chicken livers. The optimal time to soak the livers in these acidic-based agents is between 30 to 90 minutes.

Is it OK to soak liver in milk? ›

Milk is virtually pH neutral when liver is soaked in it it softens the texture and neutralizes any residual urine. All water does is wet your liver making one use more paper towels to pat the liver down and absorb the excess water.

Can you soak chicken liver in milk overnight? ›

The main times for soaking I've seen are "kissed" when you cut the liver in small pieces and soak for 30 minutes. The second is whole liver for two-three hours. When leaving in milk for overnight I usually see adnotation that it help cook it quicker as liver is "fluffier" thus helping the heat go through it.

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