Lemon Herb Chicken Spiedini with Garlic Butter Recipe
Chicken Spiedini is a flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken strips marinated with fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, and seasoned with an Italian blend. Coated in a crispy Parmesan and Panko breadcrumb crust, these skewers can be cooked multiple ways including grilling, broiling, baking, or air frying for a deliciously golden and juicy result. Finished with a bright garlic lemon herb butter, this recipe serves as a perfect, versatile meal that’s easy to prepare and bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-20 minutes depending on method
- Total Time: 25 minutes plus 30 minutes skewer soaking time if using wooden skewers
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 pounds chicken breasts (or thighs or a mix), cut into thin strips
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs, minced (thyme, parsley, oregano, rosemary)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper (optional chili flakes to taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Breading Mix
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Zest of 1 lemon
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Soak the Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking. Skip if using metal skewers.
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into strips or cubes to your preference and place in a bowl. Toss with minced garlic, olive oil, fresh herbs, lemon zest and juice, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and chili flakes if using, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Mix Breading: In a small bowl, combine Panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, and lemon zest, stirring well to mix.
- Coat the Chicken: Take each piece of marinated chicken and thoroughly coat it with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to ensure the coating adheres on all sides.
- Assemble Skewers: Thread the coated chicken pieces tightly but without compressing them onto skewers. Arrange the skewers on a baking sheet and drizzle generously with olive oil.
- Choose Cooking Method: Select one of the following cooking options:
- Grilling: Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Grill skewers for 12–14 minutes, turning occasionally until chicken reaches 165°F internally.
- Broiling: Preheat oven to high broil. Place skewers on a baking sheet about 8 inches from the heat element. Broil for 6–8 minutes per side depending on thickness, turning halfway through.
- Baking: Preheat oven to 425°F. Bake skewers on a baking tray for 15–20 minutes until cooked through. Finish under the broiler for 2 minutes to brown the crust.
- Air Frying (Recommended): Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Arrange skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry for 10 minutes. Flip and air fry an additional 6–7 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, melt the unsalted butter and stir in minced garlic, lemon zest, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper until combined.
- Finish: Brush or drizzle the garlic butter generously over the cooked chicken spiedini before serving for a rich, zesty finish.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning during grilling or broiling.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Adjust seasoning and chili flakes according to your heat preference.
- The breadcrumb mixture can be customized with different herbs or additional cheese for variation.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, baking or grilling works equally well.
- Leftover spiedini can be reheated gently in the oven or air fryer to retain crispiness.
