Embarking on a delightful culinary journey, you will learn how to cook chicken liver on the stove alongside caramelized onions, creating a delicious and protein-rich dinner. This simple yet flavorful recipe offers a fantastic introduction to cooking organ meat, ensuring tenderness and scrumptiousness.
Following the success of teaching you how to cook chicken gizzards, we are excited to explore the full potential of other meaty treasures hiding within the chicken cavity. Rest assured, we have you covered with step-by-step instructions on choosing the perfect seasonings for your sautéed chicken livers, so you can indulge in this mouthwatering meal with confidence.

Key Takeaways
- Discover how to cook chicken liver with caramelized onions for a protein-packed dinner
- Learn the best ways to season sautéed chicken livers for ultimate flavor
- Master the art of cooking organ meat with easy step-by-step instructions
Chicken Liver and Onions
Wondering how to prepare a delicious dish using chicken liver and onions? You’ve come to the right place! By following these steps, you can transform ordinary chicken livers and onions into a tasty side dish or a protein-packed meal.
For starters, it’s a good idea to soak the chicken livers, though not necessary. Soaking them helps to mellow their strong flavors without hiding their natural taste.
To make a scrumptious chicken liver and onion dish, simply cook the liver and sliced onions together with your favorite seasonings. The key to success lies in mastering the art of cooking organ meats. Once you perfect this skill, your dish is sure to be a hit at your next meal.
Enjoy this easy-to-make chicken liver and onion recipe and impress your friends and family with your culinary prowess.
Chopped Chicken Liver
When preparing chicken liver, you have the choice to leave it whole, slice it, or chop it into small bite-sized pieces. The size you choose depends on your desired crispiness and serving style. Smaller pieces will allow for more seasoning and crispness on the outside.
If you prefer to serve it as a main dish, you might want to keep the liver whole or in larger chunks. On the other hand, smaller pieces are perfect for serving over rice or cooking in an air fryer.
Regardless of presentation, chicken liver is a nutritious option. Though nutrition varies slightly, you can typically expect the following in a 2-ounce serving of chicken liver:
- Calories: 130
- Protein: 19 grams
- Fat: 5 grams
So, next time you’re in the mood for liver, consider trying out chopped chicken liver in various sizes to suit your preferences!
Fried Chicken Liver
To achieve a crispy texture, coat the chicken liver in flour before pan searing it in butter. Cooking it alongside sautéed onions enhances the overall flavor, making for a truly delicious dish. Enjoy your tasty creation!
Air Fryer Chicken Livers
To create a delightful air fryer chicken livers dish, begin by soaking the liver pieces in whole milk for about an hour to lessen the metallic taste. Keep them in the fridge during the process and pat dry afterward.
- In a bowl, add the diced liver pieces to 2 beaten eggs, making sure each piece is fully coated.
- Move the liver pieces to another shallow bowl containing seasoned breadcrumbs mixed with salt and pepper, and toss to cover them evenly.
- Continue until all liver pieces are coated.
Next, set up your air fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
- Apply a non-stick spray to the inside of the basket.
- Arrange the coated liver pieces in a single layer inside the air fryer.
- Cook at 400°F for 6-8 minutes, gently flipping the pieces halfway through.
- To reach the desired crispiness on the outside while retaining tenderness inside, air fry until you achieve the perfect texture.
- For an extra crispy finish, spray some olive oil on the liver pieces during the last minute or two of cooking.
Now you can enjoy your air-fried chicken livers with a crispy crunch on the outside, similar to air fryer chicken gizzards. The additional step of boiling is not required, making this dish a quicker and equally scrumptious option. Savor the bite-sized pieces and enjoy the delicious flavors.
Chicken Liver in a Pan
To create this flavorful pan-fried chicken liver dish, follow these steps:
- Optionally, you can place your chicken liver pieces in a bowl of milk for an hour to tame their strong flavor. Afterward, thoroughly pat them dry.
- Combine all-purpose flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Remove any excess moisture from the liver pieces using paper towels.
- Coat the liver pieces in the flour mixture, ensuring each side is covered.
- In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat and pan-fry the liver for 5 minutes on one side.
- Flip the liver to the other side, cover the pan, and continue cooking for 4 minutes on low heat.
- Remove the liver from the pan and place it on a plate to rest.
- In the same skillet, sauté chopped onion in butter and garlic powder for 5-6 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally. To enhance the flavor, add sugar and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Finally, top the cooked liver with the onion mixture and serve. Enjoy your delicious pan-fried chicken liver dish!
Slow Cooker Chicken Liver Recipe
To make a delicious slow cooker chicken liver dish, first coat bite-sized liver pieces in seasoned flour with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet, and lightly brown the liver pieces along with diced bacon and onions.
Next, whisk together 1 cup of broth and 1 can of cream of mushroom soup in your slow cooker. Add the cooked liver, onions, and bacon, stirring to coat. Cook on low for 2-3 hours. If you need to freeze and reheat the dish later, simply store in an airtight container and reheat on a low setting in your slow cooker. Enjoy your tasty creation!
How to Cook Chicken Liver for Your Dog
Chicken liver can be a delicious and healthy treat for your dog. To prepare it properly, follow these simple steps:
- Start by boiling the livers in a few inches of water for about 15 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Once cooked, remove them from the water and place them on paper towels to cool completely. Ensure they are not hot before serving to your dog, as this could cause burns.
- After cooling, dice the chicken liver into bite-sized pieces and let your furry friend enjoy a delicious meal!
Remember to store any leftover chicken liver in a refrigerator inside a freezer bag. This makes a great treat for your dog occasionally.
If you’re looking to prepare larger amounts of chicken liver at once, you can easily do so by following the same instructions and then:
- Cool the boiled livers, place them on a baking sheet, and ensure they are not touching each other.
- Put the baking sheet in the freezer until the livers are frozen solid.
- Transfer the frozen livers to a freezer bag, mark the bag with the date, and store them in the freezer for up to several months.
You can then easily thaw a few pieces on the countertop during the day to give your dog a tasty treat year-round. Just remember to keep the grilled livers to a minimum, as excessive heat may alter the nutritional value of this delicious treat. Enjoy bonding with your dog over their new favorite dish!

How to Cook Chicken Liver
Equipment
- 1 pan
- 1 Bowl (optional for soaking)
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken liver
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Caramelized Onions:
- 1 onion sliced
- 1 tbsp salted butter
- 1 tsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Optionally, soak the livers in milk for an hour to mellow the flavor. Remove them from the milk and pat dry with paper towels.
- Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Rinse and dry the livers, then coat each piece in the flour mixture on all sides.
- Warm the frying oil in a pan over low heat, then cook the chicken livers for 5 minutes on one side. Flip the livers, cover the pan, and cook for an additional 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate when done.
- In the same pan, sauté the onion slices in butter for 5-6 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally. Add the sugar, and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Place the caramelized onions atop the liver and serve.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Way to Cook Chicken Liver
The best method to cook chicken liver is to pan-fry it with a little oil or butter over medium-high heat. Cook it for about 3-4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through, making sure not to overcook it as it may become tough.
Soaking Chicken Livers Before Cooking
Yes, you should soak the chicken livers in milk or water for about 30 minutes to an hour before cooking. This helps remove any impurities and reduces the strong taste of the liver.
Making Sauteed Chicken Livers
To make sauteed chicken livers, follow these steps:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat with some oil or butter.
- Add diced onion and garlic to the pan, cooking until softened.
- Add the drained and seasoned chicken livers to the pan, browning them for about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Deglaze the pan with a splash of wine (optional).
- Cook for a couple more minutes until the livers are cooked through.
Spices for Chicken Liver
Chicken liver pairs well with the following spices:
- Salt and pepper
- Paprika
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Garlic powder
Feel free to mix and match your favorites to create your own unique flavor profile!
Preparing Chicken Liver Pate
To make chicken liver pate, follow these steps:
- Saute onion and garlic in butter until softened.
- Add chopped liver, cook until browned.
- Add a splash of cognac or brandy (optional).
- Season with salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs/spices.
- Puree the cooked liver mixture in a food processor with some softened butter or cream.
- Chill the pate for a few hours or overnight before serving for the best texture.
Cooking Time for Chicken Livers
Chicken livers should be cooked for about 3-4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through, taking care not to overcook. Overcooked livers can become tough and dry. Always ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety.