Easy Chicken Spiedini with Parmesan and Lemon Recipe
Easy Spiedini is a delightful Italian-inspired recipe featuring tender chicken breasts coated in a flavorful blend of butter, seasoned breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic, lemon zest, and fresh parsley. This versatile dish can be grilled, cooked stovetop, or baked, making it perfect for any occasion. Serve these juicy, golden skewers as an appetizer or a main course for a crowd-pleasing meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Chicken
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (flattened and cut into 1″ cubes)
Coating
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅔ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts with a meat mallet to even thickness, then cut into 1-inch cubes to ensure uniform cooking.
- Melt Butter: In a small shallow dish, gently melt the unsalted butter for coating the chicken pieces.
- Make Breadcrumb Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine seasoned breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, grated parmesan cheese, lemon zest, minced garlic, salt, and pepper; mix well to create the flavorful coating.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each chunk of chicken in melted butter, then roll or toss thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture until well coated.
- Prepare Skewers: Soak wooden or metal skewers in water for 20-30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the coated chicken cubes onto the skewers, leaving ⅛ to ¼ inch space between pieces for even cooking.
- Grill Method: Preheat the grill and brush the grates lightly with oil to prevent sticking. Grill the spiedini skewers for 3 minutes on the first side, then turn and cook 2 minutes on each of the remaining three sides, or until internal temperature reaches 165℉.
- Stovetop Method: Heat a grill pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and grease lightly with butter or cooking spray. Place the spiedini in the hot pan and cook 4 to 5 minutes per side, until golden brown and fully cooked through (internal temperature 165℉).
- Bake in Oven Method: Preheat the oven to 400℉. Lightly grease a baking pan with butter or oil and arrange the prepared skewers on the pan. Lightly spritz the tops of the meat with oil to promote browning. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the breadcrumbs are golden and crisp.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165℉ for safe consumption.
- Soaking skewers before grilling helps prevent them from burning and ensures even cooking.
- You can substitute chicken with beef by adjusting internal temperature target to 145℉.
- If you do not have a grill, the stovetop grill pan or oven methods are excellent alternatives.
- Freshly grated parmesan and lemon zest brighten the flavor profile and add depth to the crust.
