Ever found yourself craving those delicious chicken spiedies but don’t have a grill handy? You’re not alone! Many love this tasty dish but feel stuck when it comes to cooking it indoors. Fortunately, you can whip up these flavorful skewers right in your kitchen without any fancy equipment.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding Chicken Spiedies: Chicken spiedies are marinated chicken skewers originating from Binghamton, NY, traditionally grilled but easily made indoors with a broiler or oven.
- Essential Ingredients: Use high-quality, boneless chicken, along with a marinade of olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and herbs for maximum flavor. Marinade for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Cooking Methods: Prepare spiedies using an oven or stovetop. For oven cooking, bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, and for stovetop, sear in a hot skillet for about 4-5 minutes on each side.
- Marinating Tips: Opt for fresh ingredients, use a resealable bag for even marinade distribution, and avoid over-marinating to prevent mushiness.
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy spiedies in a sandwich with toppings, over a salad for a lighter meal, or with various sauces and sides for added flavor.
- Safety Precautions: Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption using a meat thermometer.
Overview of Chicken Spiedies
Chicken spiedies, originating from Binghamton, New York, offers a unique and flavorful experience. This dish features marinated chicken skewers, traditionally grilled and served in a sandwich or on their own. The marinade typically includes ingredients like olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and a blend of herbs and spices, which infuse the chicken with rich flavors.
When making chicken spiedies indoors, you can adapt the traditional method without a grill. Use a broiler or an oven instead. Keeping the chicken moist and packed with flavor becomes essential, so marinating for several hours or overnight enhances the taste. Choose fresh, high-quality chicken for the best results.
To serve, you can place the cooked chicken on crusty bread or atop a bed of rice or salad. Consider adding toppings like lettuce, tomato, and your favorite sauce for extra flavor. Enjoying spiedies in different ways allows for creativity in your kitchen.
Ingredients Needed
Cooking chicken spiedies without a grill requires specific ingredients that enhance the flavor of the dish. Here’s what you need for an authentic experience.
Chicken Selection
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for tenderness.
- Cut the chicken into uniform 1-inch cubes for even cooking.
- Consider using organic or free-range chicken for better flavor and quality.
- Olive Oil: ½ cup, provides richness and moisture.
- White Vinegar: ¼ cup, adds tanginess.
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced, imparts strong flavor.
- Dried Oregano: 1 tablespoon, contributes earthy notes.
- Dried Basil: 1 tablespoon, brings a fresh taste.
- Salt: 1 teaspoon, enhances overall flavor.
- Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon, adds mild heat.
- Red Pepper Flakes: ½ teaspoon (optional), for extra spice.
Ensure all ingredients are fresh to maximize taste. Marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
Cooking Methods
You can prepare chicken spiedies without a grill using two effective methods: the oven and the stovetop. Both yield flavorful results without needing specialized equipment.
Oven Cooking
For oven cooking, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a baking sheet in the oven to warm up. While the oven heats, remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator and thread the chicken cubes onto skewers. Arrange the skewers on the preheated baking sheet, ensuring enough space between them for even cooking. Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning once halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness; the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). This method creates a tender chicken with a slightly crispy exterior, much like traditional grilling.
Stovetop Cooking
For stovetop cooking, use a large skillet or a grill pan. Heat the pan over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken skewers or cubes. Sear for about 4-5 minutes on each side until you achieve a golden crust. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if needed. Check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption. This approach develops a deliciously rich flavor, closely mimicking the grilled version.
Both methods allow you to enjoy a home-cooked chicken spiedies experience, bringing delicious flavors to your table.
Tips for Best Results
Achieving the best chicken spiedies at home requires attention to detail in marinating and serving.
Marinating Tips
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh herbs and spices enhance flavor. Always opt for the freshest garlic and herbs.
- Marinate for Longer: Let the chicken marinate for at least four hours, but overnight yields better flavor. The marinade penetrates the chicken better over time.
- Use a Resealable Bag: Place the chicken and marinade in a resealable plastic bag. This allows for even distribution of the marinade and saves space in your fridge.
- Avoid Over-Marinating: Don’t exceed 24 hours. Acidic ingredients like vinegar can make the chicken mushy if left too long.
- Reserve Some Marinade: Reserve a small amount of marinade before adding the chicken. Use it as a baste while cooking or as a dressing after cooking.
- Create a Sandwich: Serve the cooked chicken on crusty bread with lettuce, tomatoes, and your favorite sauces for a filling meal.
- Use a Bed of Greens: Serve the chicken over a salad with mixed greens, cucumbers, and a vinaigrette for a lighter option.
- Experiment with Sides: Pair the spiedies with side dishes like roasted vegetables, rice, or quinoa to add variety to your meal.
- Add Sauces: Top the chicken with yogurt sauce, tzatziki, or a spicy mayo for extra flavor and tang.
- Provide Skewers: If using skewers for presentation, use wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
Conclusion
You don’t need a grill to enjoy the deliciousness of chicken spiedies. With just a few simple kitchen tools and a bit of marinating time you can whip up this flavorful dish right at home. Whether you choose to bake or sear the chicken you’ll still get that tender juicy result that makes spiedies so special.
Feel free to get creative with your toppings and sides. Serve it on crusty bread or over a fresh salad and don’t hesitate to experiment with sauces that tickle your taste buds. Enjoy your cooking adventure and savor every bite of your homemade chicken spiedies!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are chicken spiedies?
Chicken spiedies are marinated chicken skewers that originate from Binghamton, New York. Traditionally grilled, they are often served in a sandwich or alone. The marinade typically consists of olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and various herbs and spices for enhanced flavor.
How can I make chicken spiedies without a grill?
You can easily make chicken spiedies indoors using an oven or stovetop. For the oven, preheat to 425°F (220°C) and bake skewers for 15-20 minutes. For stovetop, use a skillet to sear the marinated chicken cubes for about 4-5 minutes on each side.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
For the best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least four hours or ideally overnight. This allows the ingredients to infuse into the meat, enhancing the overall taste of the spiedies.
What ingredients do I need for chicken spiedies?
You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken (breasts or thighs), olive oil, white vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Fresh ingredients will yield the best flavor.
Can I use skewers for chicken spiedies?
Yes, using skewers is recommended for presenting chicken spiedies. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water beforehand to prevent burning during cooking. They add a nice touch when serving!
What are good serving suggestions for chicken spiedies?
Chicken spiedies can be served on crusty bread for a delicious sandwich, over rice or salad for a healthier option, or with various toppings like lettuce, tomato, and sauces for added flavor and creativity.
