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How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Livers

EASY10 INGREDIENTS7STEP50 MIN·
Posted: 02/14/2025
Thea
BY Thea
Posted: 02/14/2025

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Livers

A successful air fryer chicken liver tutorial! The key lies in controlling the temperature and time, making each piece of chicken liver full of surprises and bursting with aroma!

2-3
SERVINGS
10
INGREDIENTS
7
STEP
50 min
TOTAL TIME

Why do I like using the air fryer to make chicken livers?

Quick and Easy: Air frying chicken livers only takes 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights—time-saving and effortless.

Healthier with Less Oil: Compared to traditional frying, air frying uses less oil, resulting in crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside chicken livers—much healthier.

Great for Those Who Don’t Like Liver: The air-fried chicken livers aren’t greasy, with a mild flavor that’s perfect for those who aren’t fond of liver.

Healthy and Nutritious: Chicken liver is a great source of iron. The simple cooking method preserves the nutrients, providing a hassle-free way to get that iron boost.

Understanding Chicken Livers

Before diving into the cooking process, it’s important to understand what makes chicken livers unique.

Chicken livers are rich in protein, iron, and vitamins A and B12—packed with nutrients. They have a distinctive flavor and texture that requires a bit of technique to bring out the best taste.

Steps like blanching and marinating, as in the recipe, help remove the gamey taste and allow the livers to absorb more flavor. When cooked in an air fryer, the chicken livers turn crispy on the outside while staying tender inside, without being greasy, which helps preserve both their nutrients and flavor.

INGREDIENTS

Main Ingredients

  • ·
    300g chicken livers (adjustable based on needs)

Additional Ingredients

  • ·
    20g green onion
  • ·
    10g ginger

Seasonings

  • ·
    10ml Shaoxing wine
  • ·
    1 teaspoon salt
  • ·
    1 teaspoon chicken essence
  • ·
    1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
  • ·
    1 teaspoon oyster sauce
  • ·
    Barbecue seasoning to taste
  • ·
    1 teaspoon cooking oil (or to taste)

COOKING STEP

HIDE IMAGES

Step 1

Clean 300g of chicken livers, removing any membranes, and blanch them in a pot of water.

Clean & blanch livers

Step 2

Add green onion, ginger, Shaoxing wine, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Boil until the livers change color, then drain and set aside.

Boil with seasonings

Step 3

In a bowl, pour in a suitable amount of cooking oil, add green onion, ginger, Shaoxing wine, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of chicken essence.

Prepare marinade

Step 4

Mix well with your hands and marinate for 30 minutes.

Marinate livers

Step 5

Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (392°F) and place the marinated chicken livers inside. Set the timer for 20 minutes.

Preheat & cook

Step 6

Flip the livers halfway through and sprinkle with barbecue seasoning to ensure even heat on both sides. The livers should be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Flip & season

Step 7

Once done, remove the livers and let them cool slightly before enjoying!

Cool & serve

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs Recipe

Lunar New Year Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops

Chicken Fries in Air Fryer: Easy and Quick Recipe

Air Fryer Garlic Chicken Legs

Recipe Notes

Recipe Description

This air fryer chicken liver is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a unique seasoning that retains the smooth texture of the livers. The marinated chicken livers cook quickly in the air fryer, using little oil while locking in all the flavors.

Tips

Soaking the Chicken Livers: If you're not fond of the gamey taste, soak the chicken livers in milk or buttermilk for 30 minutes before cooking. This will help remove the smell and make the livers more tender.

Seasoning Combinations: Feel free to experiment with your marinade by adding chili powder, Italian herbs, or Cajun seasoning to enhance the flavor.

Flipping Technique: Flipping the livers halfway through is crucial to ensure both sides are evenly cooked, keeping them crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Best Time to Eat: This dish is best enjoyed hot, as the chicken livers will be the crispiest and most tender when freshly cooked.

Additions and Variations

If you'd like to make some changes or additions to this air fryer chicken liver recipe, here are a few suggestions:

Spice It Up

Try adding rosemary or garlic powder for an extra layer of flavor, which pairs perfectly with chicken livers.

Sauce Swap

For a different flavor, consider adding sweet chili sauce or Thai red curry sauce for a more exotic twist.

Add Vegetables

You can toss in some onions, bell peppers, or carrots to cook alongside the chicken livers. This not only adds more flavor but also boosts the nutrition.

Cut Into Smaller Pieces

Cut the chicken livers into smaller pieces for more even marination and quicker cooking, making it easier to eat.

Make It Crunchier

If you love a crispier texture, sprinkle breadcrumbs or cornstarch over the chicken livers before cooking. This will give them an extra crispy and flavorful coating.

What Can Chicken Livers Be Served With?

Chicken livers are quite versatile and can be paired with many things:

Sauce Pairings

They go well with sauces like hot sauce, ranch dressing, or cocktail sauce. When served with these, the flavor of the chicken livers becomes more complex, especially when served as an appetizer or snack.

With Salad

Air-fried chicken livers are great with a fresh salad. The crisp, refreshing salad balances the rich flavor of the livers perfectly.

Sautéed Onions

For a warm pairing, sautéed onions go wonderfully with chicken livers, adding a touch of sweetness.

Southern Sides

You can also try pairing chicken livers with classic Southern sides like fried potatoes or cornbread. They complement each other for a deliciously satisfying meal.

FAQs:

Q
Can I use regular olive oil?
A
Yes, regular olive oil works perfectly for this dish. It has a mild flavor that won’t overpower the chicken livers, adding a subtle aroma.
If you prefer a richer taste, you can also use other vegetable oils, such as canola oil.
Q
Should I wash the livers before cooking?
A
Yes, it's best to wash the livers before cooking. Rinse them with clean water to remove any impurities and blood, then pat them dry with paper towels.
If there’s any membrane on the livers, make sure to remove it, as it’s tough and not very pleasant to eat. This extra step helps ensure the livers are cleaner, resulting in better-tasting dishes.
Q
How can I tell if the chicken livers are fully cooked?
A
It’s strongly recommended to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken livers should reach 74°C (165°F) to ensure they’re fully cooked.
If you don’t have a thermometer, you can cut into one to check. The inside should be free of pink, and the surface should be slightly yellow with no blood running out.
Q
What sweet fruit jams pair well with liver?
A
Liver pairs wonderfully with sweet fruit jams. Grape jam is a great choice, with its sweet and slightly tangy flavor that balances the richness of the liver. Blueberry jam also works well, offering a nice sweet-tart contrast.
For something more unique, try fig jam. Its rich sweetness adds a lovely depth of flavor when paired with liver.
2

REVIEWS

Your Rating:
Alexander
Alexander February 16, 2025

The air fryer really brings out the crispiness in the chicken livers while keeping them tender on the inside. A game-changer!
Chinarecipes REPLY:
Thank you! The air fryer is amazing for cooking chicken livers, giving them that perfect crispy texture without overcooking.
Debra
Debra February 17, 2025

I love how easy and quick this recipe is. The chicken livers turned out perfectly cooked and full of flavor.
Chinarecipes REPLY:
So glad you enjoyed it! Sometimes the simplest recipes bring out the best flavors in the ingredients.

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