Since I started this blog, one topic that I haven’t talked about enough is the use of different parts of the animal to create delicious, comforting meals. For example, I shared a recipe for braised pig feet, one of my favorite dishes that my mom often makes. Animal parts such as liver, heart, gizzard, and lungs are very commonly used in restaurant and home cooking in China. Sometimes, the purpose is to make a filling meal at an economic price. At other times, the goal is to create a delicacy such as the wonderful poached duck liver we enjoy at Peking duck restaurants. Stir fried liver has always been a favorite of mine, but I didn’t eat it for quite some time after moving to the US. One time we ate at a typical North American diner, I was delighted to find liver and onions on the menu, and my husband Thomas explained that it’s a classic diner dish. Eating the diner version of chicken liver and onions brought back sweet childhood memories, though the liver was a bit chewy and the sauce was not super rich. These days, with grocery prices getting higher and higher, I think it’s a great time to share the Chinese-version of liver and onions. When done right, the chicken liver will be super tender and not taste gamey at all. With a super rich brown sauce to bring everything together, it’s just as comforting and delicious as your regular chicken dinner.
Ingredients & equipment
How to prep chicken liver
Slicing – The key to making a great chicken liver and onion stir fry is to slice the chicken liver thin, but not too thin. If you use liver without slicing it, it takes too long to cook through and the texture will firm up. If you slice it too thin, it cooks too quickly and becomes tough. The 1/4” (1/2 cm) thickness is quite important. Marinating – Like with many other Chinese stir fries, you should use Shaoxing wine and cornstarch to marinate the liver. The wine eliminates the gamey flavor and the cornstarch protects the liver from overcooking and keeps it tender. But if you do not wish to use alcohol in your cooking, what you can do is soak the chicken liver in cold water for 30 minutes to 1 hour before cooking. Change out the water a few times in between. It helps release the blood from the liver to eliminate the gamey taste.
Mise en place
Once you’ve done prep, your table should have: the marinated liver, ginger and garlic, onion, pepper, mixed sauce, and sesame oil.
A non-stick pan works better for chicken liver
You can use a nonstick, cast iron, or carbon steel skillet. However, I recommend using a nonstick skillet to make the chicken liver with onion stir fry. Since chicken liver is very delicate and the starch is sticky, a nonstick pan can easily cook the liver without breaking it apart. If you use a carbon steel or cast iron skillet, you should use quite a bit more oil to prevent sticking. If you’re using a round bottom wok, you can even briefly fry the liver (过油), to yield the best texture.
Cooking process
Cooking chicken liver with onion and pepper is quite similar to cooking other cuts of chicken meat. The only thing you want to really make sure is not to undercook the liver, but also not overcook it. After you add the liver to the pan, spread it out and do not touch it until the bottom is browned. When you flip it over and cook the other side, observe the color. You may see blood seeping out from some pieces. When most of the pieces do not show any pink and no blood is seeping out, it’s done cooking. I love to serve chicken liver with onion over steamed rice, to make it a one-bowl chicken dinner.
Afterthought
I feel like chicken liver is a great cut that is often overlooked in spite of its high nutritional value. Chicken liver is a lean protein that’s packed with iron, folate, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamin B12 and is great for blood health. It is good for your vision and strengthens your immune system. Plus, it is extremely delicious when you prepare it right! If you make this dish, leave a comment below and let me know what you think. For me, sometimes I prefer the liver over the meat 🙂
Other delicious chicken dinner recipes
Easy Salt Baked Chicken (简易盐焗鸡)Chinese Curry ChickenChinese Chicken Noodle SoupCrispy Baked Chicken LegOne-Pan Chinese Chicken and Rice
