Burmese cuisine is often overlooked when it comes to Southeast Asian food, but it has many rich flavors waiting to be explored, with one of them being this Burmese Spicy Chicken Gizzard dish! I was pleasantly surprised by this dish, and since I do eat chicken gizzard and also love all manner of spicy foods, I had to try it out at home!
At the core of this dish is the chicken gizzard. For those unfamiliar with this part of the bird, it’s a muscular organ responsible for grinding and breaking down food for digestion, and tends to be a little chewy. Before cooking, the gizzards are thoroughly washed with salt to remove any gamy odors.
Burmese Spicy Chicken Gizzard features a variety of aromatic ingredients, each contributing its unique essence. First, the gizzards are marinated with turmeric, salt and sugar to create a balanced and robust taste, and also to tenderize the chicken gizzards, ensuring a delightful texture in the final dish.
Sliced onions add a sweet and earthy note, while dried chilies bring the heat and smokiness. The chili paste adds a powerful punch of heat that’s characteristic of many Burmese dishes, for those who relish a fiery kick in their dishes. Lemongrass infuses a subtle citrusy fragrance, and a dash of turmeric provides a golden hue and a mild, earthy flavor. Turmeric juice is not only a beautiful golden addition to the dish, but it also brings a slightly bitter and peppery note. Beyond its flavor, turmeric is celebrated for its potential health benefits, making this dish not just delicious but nutritious as well.
As a finishing touch to the Burmese Spicy Chicken Gizzard, a drizzle of calamansi juice adds a tangy and citrusy contrast to the spiciness, balancing the overall taste. Cilantro and calamansi wedges provide a refreshing burst of green and citrus, making the dish visually appealing too.
Burmese Spicy Chicken Gizzard is a testament to the depth and diversity of flavors that Burmese cuisine has to offer. The combination of tender gizzards, aromatic spices, and a fiery chili paste creates a tantalizing journey for the taste buds. So let’s get to it!
Watch How To Make It
Burmese Spicy Chicken Gizzard
Ingredients
- 360 g chicken gizzard
- salt for washing
- 1/2 onion sliced
- 4 dried chili
- 2 tbsp turmeric juice
- 1 tbsp chili paste
Marinade
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
Instructions
- Rub the chicken gizzard with salt and wash it thoroughly to get rid of any gamy odors.
- Slice the onion and cut the chicken gizzard into bite-sized pieces. Then, marinate the chicken gizzard with turmeric, salt and sugar.
- Heat up oil in a pan over medium-high heat and pour in the chicken gizzard. Add lemongrass and let it cook until almost no liquid is left in the pan, then set it aside. This should take about 12-15 minutes.
- Using the same pan, throw in the onion, dried chili and let them cook until fragrant. Add back the chicken gizzard, pour turmeric juice and add chili paste to coat it.
- Drizzle calamansi juice, and give it a good mix. Garnish with calamansi wedge, cilantro and serve!