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Chicken Livers with Onion Recipe

4.8 from 90 reviews

A classic and simple recipe featuring tender chicken livers sautéed with sweet onions and butter, coated in flour for a light crust and finished with a sprinkle of salt flakes. Perfect as a rich appetizer or a savory main dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Livers

  • 450 g fresh chicken liver
  • 5 tbsp flour
  • salt flakes, to taste

Onion & Butter

  • 1 yellow onion
  • 60 g butter
  • 20 ml water

Instructions

  1. Prepare the onions: Melt one third of the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Chop the yellow onion finely and add it to the pan. Sauté the onion until it becomes soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Lower the heat to medium-low, add the water, then cover the pan and allow the onion to swell and soften further.
  2. Prepare the chicken livers: While the onions are cooking, trim any spleens or connective tissue from the chicken livers. Cut larger pieces into smaller, evenly sized chunks to ensure uniform cooking. Coat all the chicken liver pieces evenly with the flour.
  3. Cook the chicken livers: Add the remaining butter to the skillet with the onions, increase the heat to medium-high, then add the floured chicken livers to the pan. Continuously turn the livers to ensure even cooking on all sides. The liver will release a reddish liquid initially – cook until this liquid evaporates and the liver pieces no longer bleed. To check doneness, cut into one of the thickest pieces; it should be fully cooked through and slightly firm.
  4. Serve: Once cooked, remove the skillet from the heat. Serve the chicken livers hot with a generous sprinkle of salt flakes on top to enhance the flavor.

Notes

  • Be careful not to overcook the livers; they should remain tender but fully cooked to avoid a gritty texture.
  • Sifting the flour before coating helps avoid clumps and ensures an even crust.
  • You can serve these livers with crusty bread or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
  • Using fresh chicken livers improves the texture and flavor significantly.
  • If you prefer, white wine can replace water for added flavor during the onion sweating step.

Keywords: chicken livers, sautéed chicken liver, classic liver recipe, liver with onions, easy chicken liver dish