Don’t you love dishes that sound difficult and complex but are really simple and easy to make? I do, I do!! This is one of those dishes. I mean if you tell people you are making chicken spiedini, they are like, wow, what’s that? Then you make it and it is ridiculously easy, but packs a huge punch of flavor! Amazing!!
What is Chicken Spiedini?
In Italian Spiedini means skewers. So essentially these are fancy chicken skewers. Yet, doesn’t it sound so much better to say spiedini? LOL
Classically, chicken spiedini is lightly breaded and then skewered and grilled. In the version I am giving you today, I have lightened it up a bit and made a quick and simple marinade and some veggies.
These delicious skewers are traditionally served with a garlic, lemon butter sauce and I did not want to skimp on that. So, I have my version of that sauce on these as well.
Does it have to be chicken?
Nope. You can use any meat you wish for these spiedini. I love them with chicken for easy weeknight meals, but you can use steak, pork, lamb or even all veggies if you prefer. The best part of recipes is making them your own. So, take the basic idea, the marinade and the sauce and run with it. Use whatever you have on hand and whatever flavor combinations you prefer.
Wooden or metal?
When using skewers I always prefer to use wooden skewers. The metals ones are nice because they are reusable, but they sometimes rust and char so I prefer the wooden ones. However, keep in mind that you will want to soak your wooden skewers. You are after all putting them on a grill. We all know what happens to wood in a fire… it burns. So, if you soak them first, they will not char and burn up on you.
Chef’s tips
This like many recipes can be made quickly and simply for easy weeknight preparation with just a little bit of thinking ahead. This does not need much prep ahead, just a little time to marinate. Now, this marinade is actually perfect for weeknight quickness because it has acid in it. Which means, you actually do not want to marinate it much more than 30 minutes to an hour. Otherwise you will start to cook your chicken in the acid.
Also, you don’t need a ton of time to soak your skewers, so you can literally have this whole dish done in 30 minutes if you wish. Marinate your chicken and soak your skewers while you make your side dishes. Then skewer everything on grill, sauce and go eat! It really is that simple. Yet, the flavor that will come out of these little skewers is amazing! ENJOY!
Chicken Spiedini
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts just over 1 pound total (cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional `
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest from 1 lemon
- 1/3- pound piece of pancetta or slab bacon cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 lemon
- 1 medium zucchini cut into 1/2 pieces
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
- 11 8 inch skewers
- Lemon Butter Sauce
- ¼ cup unsalted butter cut into pieces
- 1 garlic clove grated
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Parsley for garnish
- Pinch red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Preheat a grill or a grill pan over medium heat.
- Add the oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, olive oil and lemon zest. Separate into two bowls and toss well to coat the chicken in one bowl and the vegetables in the other bowl of seasonings. Working one skewer at a time, thread one piece of chicken, followed by a piece of zucchini, then a tomato, piece of pancetta, then chicken, zucchini, tomato, pancetta and lastly chicken. Continue with the remaining chicken, veggies and pork.
- Place the skewers on the hot grill pan and cook for 4 minutes per side, or until the chicken is browned and cooked through and the pancetta is golden brown and warmed through, 12 to 16 minutes. You can cover the skewers with a upside down rimmed baking sheet if desired to ensure they are cooked through Remove to a platter and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with lemon butter sauce.
- Lemon Butter sauce
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the garlic and salt and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add the lemon juice. Season with freshly ground pepper and sprinkle with parsley and red pepper flakes. ENJOY!
