Comforting, diner-style breakfast with a chef’s twist: crispy, spice-dusted chicken livers over creamy cheddar grits with lemony garlicky kale. Big flavor, budget-friendly, and ready fast. Serves 2.
Details
Ingredients
- Foster Farms Fresh & Natural Cage Free Chicken Livers 8 oz, trimmed $3.39/lb (use ~8 oz ≈ $1.70)
- Buttermilk (optional, for soaking) 1/2 cup
- Hot sauce (optional, for soak) 1 tsp
- All-purpose flour 1/2 cup
- Paprika 1 tsp
- Garlic powder 1/2 tsp
- Cayenne (optional) 1/4 tsp
- Kosher salt & black pepper 3/4 tsp salt + to taste pepper
- Neutral oil (canola/avocado) 3 tbsp, for frying
- Quick-cooking grits (or polenta) 1/2 cup dry
- Water 1 1/2 cups
- Milk (or more water) 1/2 cup
- Sharp cheddar, shredded 1/2 cup
- Butter 1 tbsp
- Kale (or collard greens), chopped 4 packed cups
- Garlic, thinly sliced 2 cloves
- Lemon 1/2, for squeezing at finish
Instructions
- Trim any sinew from livers. Optional: soak in buttermilk with a dash of hot sauce 10 minutes; drain and pat dry.
- Start grits: Bring water, milk, and 1/4 tsp salt to a simmer. Whisk in grits; cook 5–7 minutes until thick. Off heat, stir in cheddar and butter; keep warm.
- Sauté greens: In a skillet over medium, add 1 tbsp oil. Cook garlic 30 seconds, add kale, 1–2 tbsp water, a pinch of salt. Sauté 3–4 minutes until tender; squeeze lemon over and set aside.
- Seasoned flour: Mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, 1/2 tsp salt, pepper in a shallow bowl. Dredge livers; shake off excess.
- Crisp the livers: Heat remaining 2 tbsp oil over medium-high. Pan-fry livers 2–3 minutes per side until browned outside and just pink inside (internal temp ~160°F). Work in batches; don’t crowd.
- Serve: Spoon cheesy grits into bowls, top with greens and crispy livers. Add hot sauce if you like.
Health notes: Approx. 650 kcal per serving. High protein and iron; moderate fat; includes fiber-rich greens.
Drink pairing: Black coffee or a dry hard cider; if wine, try a lightly chilled Beaujolais.