City Chicken Skewers a Midwestern Classic

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a bit of Midwestern charm? Ever heard of city chicken recipe ? Honestly, it's a clever culinary illusion, and oh-so-satisfying! These city chicken skewers deliver savory goodness with a wonderfully crispy crust.

Brief Overview

Midwestern comfort food at its finest, city chicken originated in times when chicken was a luxury. It's a delicious way to enjoy a "fried" experience.

Easy enough for a weeknight, this recipe takes about an hour. This pork skewers recipe makes roughly four servings.

Main Benefits

This easy city chicken dinner is packed with protein! Perfect for a casual family meal or a potluck. It's special because it's budget friendly and tastes like you slaved away all day.

It is mock chicken legs recipe , without any bones. Okay, let's get this show on the road.

Ready to dive into the ingredients? Let's make some baked city chicken recipe ! The blend of pork and savory breading gives this dish that comforting flavour.

Ingredients for Killer City Chicken

Grab your ingredients. You’ll need around 1 1/2 pounds of pork shoulder, cubed. Consider adding about 1/2 pound of veal shoulder for extra richness.

Other things that you will need include eggs, milk, flour, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. Spices include salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.

Plus, some oil and butter for the perfect golden brown finish. This fried city chicken recipe tastes incredible

Equipment You'll Need

Think of your skewers like your art canvas. Metal or wooden, just soak the wooden ones. Get those three shallow dishes ready for breading.

A skillet for frying (if that’s your jam), or a baking sheet for a lighter touch. A meat thermometer ensures perfection.

You’ll want to try this city chicken with mashed potatoes .

Don't forget the essential tools! Get those wooden skewers soaking in water if that's what you have.

Simple Steps to City Chicken Bliss

Now for the fun part. Cut your pork (and veal, if you're feeling fancy) into even cubes. Thread the meat onto the skewers like building tiny meaty towers. Time to get breading.

Ingredients & Equipment for the Best City Chicken Recipe Ever

Okay, let's get this show on the road. You want to make some amazing city chicken skewers ? Let's talk ingredients and what you'll need.

Honestly, it's not that complicated. It's all about good quality meat and a little bit of love. This is truly Midwestern comfort food at its finest.

Main Ingredients: Let's Get Real

Here's what you'll need to nail this city chicken recipe .

• Pork shoulder: 1 1/2 pounds (about 680g ), cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes. Look for pork with good marbling. That fat equals flavor!.
• Optional Veal shoulder or leg: 1/2 pound (about 225g ), also cubed. Adds richness, but totally optional.
• Egg: 1 large . The binder, baby!.
• Milk: 1/4 cup (about 59 ml ). Whole milk is great!.
• All-purpose flour: 1 cup (about 120g ). Don't overthink it.
• Bread crumbs: 2 cups (about 240g ). Panko or fresh, dealer's choice.
• Salt: 1 teaspoon (about 5g ). Don't skimp!.
• Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon (about 2.5g ). Freshly ground is always better.
• Garlic powder: 1 teaspoon (about 5g ). Adds that oomph.
• Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon (about 2.5g ). For color and a hint of smokiness.
• Vegetable oil: 1/4 cup (about 59 ml ). For baking or frying.
• Butter: 2 tablespoons (about 28g ). To help breadcrumbs brown during baking.

Don't worry! This is just a guideline. Adjust to your taste. This amazing breaded pork on a stick is gonna taste like heaven!

Seasoning Notes: It's All About the Flavor

Let's talk about spicing things up.

A mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika is the foundation. Feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat!.

Also, dried thyme or oregano are great additions.

If you don't have garlic powder, use minced garlic. Just be careful not to burn it. Onion powder works wonders too.

Equipment Needed: Keep it Simple

For this easy city chicken dinner , you don't need fancy gear.

• Skewers: Wooden or metal. Soak wooden ones to prevent burning.
• Shallow dishes: 3 . For the breading station.
• Large skillet or baking sheet: Depending on how you wanna cook 'em.
• Meat thermometer: Highly recommended. Get your pork on Baked city chicken recipe , to 145° F ( 63° C) for medium rare or 165° F ( 74° C) for well done. Don't let these mock chicken legs recipe surprise you.
• Tongs: For turning the fried city chicken recipe .

Let's Make Some City Chicken!

Okay, let's get this show on the road! Ever heard of city chicken recipe ? No, it's not chicken from the concrete jungle! It's actually a clever little dish, kind of like a mock chicken legs recipe , originating from the Midwest.

My grandma used to make it all the time. Honestly, it's Midwestern comfort food at its finest. Basically, it's breaded pork on a stick , and it's surprisingly delicious.

Prep Steps: Ready, Set, Skewer!

First, the mise en place is key. Dice your 1 1/2 pounds of pork shoulder (or pork loin) into 1 1/2 inch cubes.

Optional, add a 1/2 pound veal (if you're feeling fancy). Get those skewers ready! If using wooden ones, soak them in water for about 30 minutes.

I forgot once, and let me tell you, they nearly caught fire. Time saving tip: Get the family involved! Makes things way faster.

step-by-step: From Cubes to Crispy

Time to assemble your city chicken skewers !

1. Thread the meat onto the skewers. Leave a little space between each cube.
2. Set up your breading station: egg wash (with 1/4 cup milk ), seasoned flour ( 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon paprika ), and breadcrumbs ( 2 cups bread crumbs ).
3. Dip each skewer into the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs. Coat it well!
4. Bake at 375° F ( 190° C) for 30- 45 minutes , or pan fry with 1/4 cup vegetable oil and 2 tablespoons of butter until golden. Aim for an internal temperature of 145° F ( 63° C) , use your meat thermometer.
5. Let 'em rest for a few minutes before serving.

Pro Tips for the Perfect City Chicken

Want easy city chicken dinner perfection? For extra crispy skewers, pop the breaded skewers in the fridge for 30 minutes before cooking.

This helps that breading really stick. Avoid overcrowding the pan when baking or frying. Cook in batches if you need to! And the biggest mistake? Under cooking the pork.

Nobody wants that!

Fried city chicken recipe or baked city chicken recipe ? Either way, serve with city chicken gravy and city chicken with mashed potatoes .

Trust me, this pork skewers recipe is a winner, you will make it over and over again.

Recipe Notes for Your Awesome City Chicken Recipe

Okay, let's get this show on the road. You're about to make some seriously good city chicken skewers . It is a delicious Midwestern comfort food , so here are a few extra tips to make it truly spectacular.

I wish someone had told me these the first time. Honestly, learning them was a game changer.

Serving It Up Right

Plating and Presentation Ideas

Presentation matters, right? For a fun, rustic feel, serve your city chicken skewers straight from the oven or skillet on a wooden board.

Garnish with fresh parsley. My grandma used to serve it with a dollop of applesauce for a sweet and savory combo.

You know? Complementary Sides or Beverages

City chicken with mashed potatoes is classic. Add a side of green beans for a balanced meal. For drinks, a crisp apple cider or a light beer pairs perfectly.

Or, honestly, a glass of iced tea is never wrong.

Storing Leftovers

Refrigeration Guidelines

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store your cooked pork skewers recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freezing Options

Want to make these ahead of time? Freeze the breaded skewers before cooking. Thaw them in the fridge overnight before baking or frying. Reheating Instructions

Reheat in the oven at 350° F ( 175° C) for about 15- 20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat in a skillet with a little oil.

Watch them carefully, okay?

Variations on a Theme

Dietary Adaptations

To make a lighter version, try using chicken instead of pork for this amazing mock chicken legs recipe . You could also use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option. Seasonal Ingredient Swaps

In the fall, use butternut squash as a side instead of green beans. During the summer, a fresh corn salad would be fantastic.

Nutrition Nuggets

Simplified Nutrition Information

Each serving of baked city chicken recipe has about 450-550 calories. They're packed with protein (35-45g). Key Health Benefits

This recipe is a great source of protein. Protein is important for muscle building and overall health.

Don't be intimidated! Making easy city chicken dinner is easier than you think. With these tips, you're sure to create a meal that everyone will love.

Go ahead and try to make this city chicken gravy dish and have fun in the kitchen. You got this!

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is city chicken? I've never heard of it!

That's fair enough! City Chicken is a Midwestern dish almost like a retro comfort food. It’s essentially pork (and sometimes veal) cubes threaded onto skewers, breaded, and cooked. It's meant to resemble a chicken drumstick, especially popular back in the day when chicken was pricier.

Think of it as a trompe-l'oeil, but with meat!

Can I use chicken in this city chicken recipe? Isn't that, like, ironic?

Absolutely, you can use chicken! It's a bit of an inside joke, isn't it? Using chicken, often chicken thighs, is a perfectly acceptable (and delicious) variation. Just make sure to cook it to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be on the safe side.

How can I keep my city chicken from drying out during cooking? I'm aiming for moist, not mutton.

Nobody wants dry "city chicken"! The key is to not overcook it. Use a meat thermometer and aim for an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for medium rare pork or 165°F (74°C) for well done pork. Also, consider a quick marinade beforehand or basting with butter while baking for added moisture.

What are some good side dishes to serve with this city chicken recipe? I'm drawing a blank, mate!

City Chicken is proper comfort food, so think along those lines! Mashed potatoes and gravy are a classic choice. Green beans or a simple salad offer a bit of freshness. And don’t forget the applesauce! It adds a lovely touch of sweetness to balance the savory flavors.

Can I freeze city chicken, and if so, what's the best way to reheat it?

You can indeed! For best results, freeze the breaded, uncooked skewers. When ready to cook, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. To reheat cooked city chicken, bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. A quick skillet fry can also help crisp up the breading again.

Be aware that the breading might soften a bit after freezing.

What kind of nutritional value does city chicken recipe offer?

City Chicken is a good source of protein, thanks to the pork. It also provides some essential vitamins and minerals. Keep in mind that the breading and oil contribute to the carbohydrate and fat content.

For a healthier version, consider baking instead of frying, using leaner cuts of pork, and opting for whole wheat breadcrumbs.