Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is an absolute crowd-pleaser, offering juicy, tender chicken with a crunchy, flavorful coating. The lemon garlic butter sauce adds a burst of brightness and richness that perfectly complements the chicken. It’s an easy yet elegant meal that pairs beautifully with a variety of sides like Caesar salad, lemon rice, or roasted vegetables. The best part? It’s a hands-off dish after a quick prep, making it perfect for busy nights when you still want something delicious and satisfying.
Ingredients
For the Chicken & Marinade:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1½-inch pieces
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon (2 tbsp)
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Breading:
- 1⅓ cups Italian-style panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (refrigerated kind)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
Other:
- Cooking spray
- Skewers (metal or soaked wooden skewers)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Prep & Marinate Chicken:
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, chicken broth, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, red pepper flakes (if using), Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the chicken to the marinade, toss to coat, and chill for 30–60 minutes.
Prepare Breading:
- In a second bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Bread the Chicken:
- Remove the marinated chicken from the bowl, letting any excess marinade drip off.
- Toss the chicken pieces in the breading mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated.
Skewer and Broil:
- Preheat the broiler on high. Line a baking sheet with foil and generously spray it with cooking spray.
- Thread the breaded chicken pieces onto skewers and lay them on the baking sheet with space between each skewer. Press any extra crumbs onto the chicken and spray again with cooking spray.
- Broil the chicken for 10–12 minutes or until golden and the internal temperature reaches 160–165°F.
Make Garlic Butter Sauce:
- While the chicken is broiling, melt butter in a small pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in the lemon juice and chopped parsley, and cook for another minute.
Serve:
- Drizzle or brush the garlic butter sauce over the cooked skewers. Serve hot with lemon wedges for added zest.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4 servings
- Prep time: 15 minutes (excluding marinating time)
- Cook time: 15-20 minutes (including broiling time)
- Total time: 1 hour (including marinating)
Variations
- Spicy Version: Add more crushed red pepper flakes to the marinade for an extra kick of heat.
- Vegetarian Version: Substitute chicken with hearty vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or mushrooms for a vegetarian version of Spiedini.
- Herb Variation: Experiment with different herbs such as basil, oregano, or thyme in the marinade and breading for unique flavor profiles.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the cooked chicken spiedini by wrapping the skewers in foil and placing them in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
- Reheating: Reheat in the oven or microwave, and drizzle with extra garlic butter sauce before serving for a fresh taste.
FAQs
1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, chicken breasts can be used in place of thighs, but be sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly.
2. Can I make Chicken Spiedini in advance?
Yes, you can marinate the chicken and bread it ahead of time. Keep the skewered chicken in the fridge until ready to broil. Broil just before serving.
3. How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 160–165°F. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it is cooked through.
4. Can I grill these skewers instead of broiling?
Yes, you can grill the skewers on medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally until the chicken reaches 160-165°F internally.
5. How can I make the chicken more tender?
Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs keeps the meat juicy and tender. Marinating the chicken in the olive oil and lemon juice mixture also helps to tenderize it.
6. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
7. How do I prevent the breading from falling off during broiling?
Be sure to press the breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken before broiling and lightly spray the skewers with cooking spray to help the coating stay intact during cooking.
8. Can I make the garlic butter sauce in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the garlic butter sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Warm it up before drizzling over the chicken.
9. Can I use wooden skewers instead of metal ones?
Yes, you can use wooden skewers, but make sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling or broiling to prevent them from burning.
10. What can I serve with Chicken Spiedini?
Chicken Spiedini pairs well with sides like Caesar salad, lemon rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple side of steamed greens like broccoli or asparagus.
Conclusion
Chicken Spiedini is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that brings together tender, juicy chicken with a crispy breading and a zesty garlic butter sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, special occasions, or even a casual gathering, this dish is sure to impress with minimal effort. Serve it with your favorite sides, and you’ve got a complete meal that’s both satisfying and delicious!
Chicken Spiedini
- Total Time: 1 hour (including marinating)
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Chicken Spiedini is an Italian-American dish featuring marinated chicken pieces that are breaded, skewered, and broiled to perfection. Served with a zesty lemon garlic butter sauce, this flavorful and easy-to-make dish is ideal for weeknight dinners or special gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Chicken & Marinade:
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1½-inch pieces
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup chicken broth
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon (2 tbsp)
2 tsp minced garlic
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Breading:
1⅓ cups Italian-style panko breadcrumbs
½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (refrigerated kind)
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp garlic, minced
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
Other:
Cooking spray
Skewers (metal or soaked wooden skewers)
Instructions
- Prep & Marinate Chicken:
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, chicken broth, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, red pepper flakes (if using), Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the chicken to the marinade, toss to coat, and chill for 30–60 minutes.
- Prepare Breading:
- In a second bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Bread the Chicken:
- Remove the marinated chicken from the bowl, letting any excess marinade drip off.
- Toss the chicken pieces in the breading mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Skewer and Broil:
- Preheat the broiler on high. Line a baking sheet with foil and generously spray it with cooking spray.
- Thread the breaded chicken pieces onto skewers and lay them on the baking sheet with space between each skewer. Press any extra crumbs onto the chicken and spray again with cooking spray.
- Broil the chicken for 10–12 minutes or until golden and the internal temperature reaches 160–165°F.
- Make Garlic Butter Sauce:
- While the chicken is broiling, melt butter in a small pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in the lemon juice and chopped parsley, and cook for another minute.
- Serve:
- Drizzle or brush the garlic butter sauce over the cooked skewers. Serve hot with lemon wedges for added zest.
Notes
For a spicy kick, add more crushed red pepper flakes to the marinade.
For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or mushrooms.
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar or chopped herbs like basil or oregano for different flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (excluding marinating time)
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes (including broiling time)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer (approx. 1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
