"City Chicken", also known as "Pork on a Stick", is neither chicken nor made with chicken butt, despite the name. It's a classic carnival treat made with tender pork shoulder or butt, cut into chunks and skewered, then marinated in a savory blend of spices, herbs, and sometimes vinegar. Once marinated, it's seared or grilled to perfection, resulting in juicy, flavorful morsels that are perfect for parties, picnics, or a quick and satisfying meal. With countless variations in marinade recipes, there's a "City Chicken" to suit every taste, and it's a dish that's both versatile and delicious.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
BEST CITY CHICKEN
I grew up in northeast Ohio and this was my all time favorite dish when I was little...now I make it, and my family loves it too! I like to use all pork for my city chicken; however tradition is to use pork and veal combined. The grocery stores around me sell a pack of cubed pork with the wood skewers already in the pack specifically for city chicken, so you may want to look for that first. But, if you can't find that, then cubing your own pork will work fine.
Provided by Jennifer
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken
Time 1h15m
Yield 7
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Thread 2 or 3 cubes of pork onto each skewer. Sprinkle each skewer on all sides with salt, black pepper, and seasoned salt, and set the skewers aside.
- Whisk eggs and milk together in a bowl. Place the seasoned bread crumbs in another bowl. Pour 2 cups of water into a 9x13-inch baking dish with a wire rack set in the dish, and set the dish aside.
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Dip each skewer of pork into the egg mixture, then dip in crumbs; dip the skewers a second time into egg mixture and then crumbs. Gently lay the skewers, a few at a time, into the hot oil, and brown until the coating is crisp and golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Set the fried skewers aside while you finish the rest. Once the skewers are all browned, set them on the wire rack in the baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Carefully place the baking dish with the skewers into the preheated oven, and bake until hot and no longer pink in the center, about 20 minutes. Remove the foil, and bake 10 minutes more to dry out the crumb coating. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 369 calories, Carbohydrate 23.4 g, Cholesterol 178.9 mg, Fat 15.8 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 31.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 618.8 mg, Sugar 1.7 g
CITY CHICKEN, NOT CHICKEN BUTT! (PORK ON A STICK)
This has been passed down thru many generations of all cultures and it's still a winner.I always cook this in the electric skillet, just seems to do the best!
Provided by Timothy H.
Categories Pork
Time 1h20m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Wash the pork well pat dry and set aside. Cut the pork into large chunks,about 2-2/12 inch squares.Mix all the dry ingredients in a plastic bag or large bowl to coat the pork.Add the pork a little at a time to make sure it is all coated very well.
- After the meat is coat very well slide it on to the wood scewers or metal, which ever you perfer,usually about 4 to 5 pieces to the screwer.
- In a cast ironor a heavy skillet,I use a Electric Skillet! Heat the oil on medium and brown the pork on all sides.With the remaining flour and milk, mix in a bowl until well blended. Add to the pork slowly stirring as you add and cook on low medium for 45 minute. In an electric skillet cook at 275 for 1 hour or until tender.
CITY CHICKEN (BUT IT'S NOT CHICKEN!)
Ultimate winter, "feel good" food! This is a favorite at our house and the gravy just has to be served over some homemade, garlic mashed potatoes. Add some Chunky Cinnamon Applesauce and you have a wonderful meal! This recipe came from a '98 Taste of Home Magazine. This can be a bit on the salty side - exchanging the garlic salt for garlic powder and then using reduced sodium chicken broth would help.
Provided by DDW7976
Categories Pork
Time 1h15m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Thread chunks of pork on small wooden skewers. (I have skipped this step and it works just fine having the chunks of meat loose in the pan.).
- Combine flour, garlic salt and pepper on a plate.
- Roll kabobs or loose pork chunks in flour mixture until coated.
- In a large skillet, heat butter and oil over medium heat.
- Brown meat, turning frequently;drain.
- Sprinkle meat with soup mix.
- Add broth and water.
- Bring to very low boil.
- Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour or until tender.
- Remove meat and keep warm.
- Thicken the pan juices to make a wonderful gravy to put over the meat and mashed potatoes.
CHEF JOHN'S CITY CHICKEN
This fascinating pork-on-a-stick recipe is American cuisine in a nutshell. City cooks, who couldn't get chicken, would take scraps from much cheaper, at the time, pork and build something similar to what you see here. Why this represents the true spirit of American food is that long after chicken became cheap and plentiful, people kept making and eating this anyway. Serve with honey mustard.
Provided by Chef John
Categories 100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cut tenderloin into three sections; the thick center section and two end sections. Cut the thinner end portion of the tenderloin into chunks. Slice the thick center section lengthwise into even halves. Cut the 2 center sections and thicker end portion into1/2-inch slices.
- Thread pork pieces, starting with the smallest pieces and working up to wider pieces, onto each skewer to resemble chicken drumsticks.
- Season skewered 'drumsticks' with salt, black pepper, thyme, and cayenne pepper on all sides.
- Whisk eggs together in a bowl. Pour flour into another bowl. Put the bread crumbs into a third bowl.
- Gently press the 'drumsticks' into flour to coat and shake to remove excess flour. Dip 'drumsticks' into egg and press into bread crumbs. Place finished drumsticks on a plate in a single layer and refrigerate, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
- Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until the surface of the oil is shimmering. Cook 'drumsticks' in the hot oil until golden brown on all sides and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate; let rest 5 minutes. Season with salt.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 233.4 calories, Carbohydrate 14.4 g, Cholesterol 104.1 mg, Fat 12.2 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 17.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.6 g, Sodium 96.7 mg, Sugar 0.2 g
Tips:
- Choose high-quality pork shoulder or pork butt for the best flavor and texture.
- Marinate the pork in a flavorful mixture of spices and herbs for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight, to infuse it with flavor.
- Use wooden or metal skewers that are at least 12 inches long to prevent the pork from slipping off during cooking.
- Preheat your grill or oven to the desired temperature before cooking the pork.
- Cook the pork until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare, 160°F (71°C) for medium, or 170°F (77°C) for well-done.
- Let the pork rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Serve the pork with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a salad.
Conclusion:
City chicken is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to use up leftover pork, and it can be cooked in a variety of ways. Whether you grill it, bake it, or fry it, city chicken is sure to be a hit at your next party or potluck. So next time you have some leftover pork, don't throw it away - make city chicken instead!
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