Chicken Spiedini with Lemon-Butter Sauce Recipe
Chicken Spiedini features tender, marinated chicken cubes coated in a zesty breadcrumb mixture, skewered and grilled to perfection. Served with a bright lemon-butter sauce infused with garlic and white wine, this Italian-inspired grilled chicken dish is a flavorful and elegant meal perfect for gatherings or a delightful family dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Olive oil (for the grill)
Breading Mixture
- 1 cup Italian style breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
- ⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup freshly grated pecorino cheese
- ⅓ cup olive oil
Lemon-Butter Sauce
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup white wine
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest. Add the chicken pieces and toss them in the marinade until thoroughly coated. Set aside to marinate for 20 to 30 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Soak the skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water during the marinade time to prevent burning on the grill. Metal skewers do not require soaking.
- Prepare the breading: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Italian breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, garlic powder, lemon zest, parmesan, and pecorino cheeses. Mix well to create the breading mixture.
- Bread the chicken: After marinating, toss the chicken pieces in the breadcrumb mixture until each piece is evenly coated. Work in batches if necessary to coat all the chicken uniformly.
- Assemble the skewers: Thread several breaded chicken pieces onto each skewer, arranging them evenly. Continue until all chicken pieces are skewered.
- Grill the chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and brush the grate with olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 5 minutes on one side. Flip the skewers and grill for an additional 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F, ensuring the chicken is fully cooked.
- Make the lemon-butter sauce: While the chicken cooks, heat olive oil and butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter melts, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Pour in the white wine, allowing it to reduce slightly for a minute or two. Stir in the lemon zest and chopped parsley, then remove from heat. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Plate the grilled chicken skewers warm and drizzle them with the lemon-butter sauce. Enjoy this bright, savory dish as a perfect main course.
Notes
- To prevent the chicken from drying out, avoid overcooking and check internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
- If wooden skewers are unavailable, metal skewers can be used and do not require soaking.
- The breadcrumb mixture can be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container.
- For a lower fat version, reduce butter in the sauce or substitute with olive oil.
- Serve with grilled vegetables or a light salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: Chicken Spiedini, grilled chicken, Italian chicken skewers, lemon butter sauce, breadcrumb coated chicken