Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 1/3 cup Louisiana-style hot sauce, such as Crystal
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 pound chicken livers, trimmed
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 small chipotle in adobo, seeded and minced, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • Canola oil, for frying
  • Kosher salt

Method

  • In a large bowl, whisk 2 cups of the buttermilk with the hot sauce and soy sauce.
  • Add the chicken livers and turn to coat.
  • Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  • In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, chipotle and adobo sauce; refrigerate.
  • Set a rack over a baking sheet.
  • Spread 1 1/2 cups of the flour in a shallow bowl.
  • In another shallow bowl, beat the eggs with the remaining 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk.
  • In a third shallow bowl, mix the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour, the cayenne, black pepper, cumin and garlic salt.
  • Remove the livers from the buttermilk, then dredge them in the plain flour.
  • Dip the livers in the egg mixture, then dredge in the seasoned flour.
  • Transfer to the rack.
  • In a large saucepan, heat 2 inches of oil to 350.
  • Set another rack over a rimmed baking sheet.
  • Add half of the livers to the hot oil and fry over moderately high heat, turning once, until barely pink inside, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Transfer to the clean rack and season lightly with salt.
  • Repeat with the remaining livers.
  • Serve hot, with the chipotle mayonnaise.