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Chicken Spiedini Recipe with Lemon Butter Sauce– tender chicken marinated in a lemony blend, coated with a rustic Italian breadcrumb and Parmigiano mixture, and finished with a zesty lemon butter sauce. Adults and children will request this recipe time and time again!
Serve with a summer panzanella salad and Italian fruit salad.
Best Chicken Spiedini
This Grilled Chicken Spiedini with Lemon Butter Sauce recipe combines the essence of Italian cooking—simple ingredients leading to rich flavors. Whether for a family dinner or a special gathering. Buon appetito!
Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Flavorful Combination: The blend of bright lemon, aromatic garlic, and robust Italian herbs creates a marinade that infuses the chicken with deep, layered flavors. This ensures each bite is juicy and savory.
- Crispy Perfection: The crispy breadcrumb and Parmigiano coating adds a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender, grilled chicken. This combination of textures makes the chicken bites satisfying.
You’ll also love our chicken tenders.
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
These ingredients come together to create a dish that’s rich in flavors and textures, celebrating the essence of rustic Italian cuisine.
- Chicken Breasts– Lean and versatile, chicken breasts are the ideal choice for skewers due to their firm texture, which holds up well to grilling.
- Olive Oil– A staple in Italian cooking, olive oil adds richness and helps to carry the flavors of herbs and spices in the marinade.
- White Wine (Dry)– Optional but recommended, dry white wine imparts a crisp, acidic note that enhances the overall flavor profile of both the marinade and the sauce.
- Lemon– Adds a bright, citrusy zest and tang, vital for marinating the chicken and flavoring the sauce.
- Garlic– Integral to Italian cuisine, garlic introduces a pungent flavor that deepens when combined with other ingredients.
- Salt– Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and helps to tenderize the chicken in the marinade.
- Black Pepper– Provides a subtle heat and spiciness that complements the lemon and garlic.
- Italian Bread Crumbs– These help to form a crust on the chicken when grilled, adding texture and a slightly toasted flavor.
- Parmigiano Cheese– Adds a nutty, salty depth to the breading, elevating the umami in the dish.
- Parsley– Fresh parsley brings a light, herbal freshness that contrasts nicely with the richer flavors.
- Butter– Forms the base of the sauce, lending a creamy texture and rich flavor.
- Rosemary– This aromatic herb infuses the sauce with a distinctive, earthy flavor.
- Red Pepper Flakes– Introduce a spicy kick to the sauce, balancing the richness of the butter and the tanginess of the lemon.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Chicken Spiedini
Despite its gourmet appearance and taste, this recipe is surprisingly straightforward. The marinating does most of the flavor work, and the grilling is quick and simple, making it an excellent choice for a delicious meal. See the recipe card for more.
Mix the marinade ingredients.
Let the chicken marinade.
Put together the breadcrumb topping in a bowl.
Coat the chicken in the breadcrumb topping.
Skewer the chicken.
Grill the chicken and enjoy!
How to Make Lemon Butter Sauce
In a small pot combine all the sauce ingredients.
It is amazing on top of the grilled chicken!
Substitutions
- Chicken Breasts: Turkey breasts, chicken thighs, or pork tenderloin can be used as a substitute for chicken breasts.
- Dry White Wine: Chicken or vegetable broth provides a non-alcoholic alternative with a depth of flavor. For acidity, a bit of white wine vinegar diluted with water can work, too.
- Italian Bread Crumbs: Panko breadcrumbs or homemade breadcrumbs can be used. For a gluten-free option, almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs are excellent choices.
- Parmigiano Cheese: Asiago or Grana Padano, or pecorino work well.
Variations
Each variation offers a new way to enjoy the delightful flavors of Grilled Chicken Spiedini. Try it the next time you make this recipe.
- Herb Mix: Incorporate a variety of herbs such as thyme, basil, or oregano into the marinade or breading for a different herbal profile.
- Pesto Drizzle: Instead of lemon butter sauce, use a homemade or store-bought pesto for a fresh, nutty finish.
Storage
- Refrigerate: Place the chicken in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator. Best if consumed within 3 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the chicken spiedini in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Be sure to label the containers with the date. 2-3 months.
- Top any leftovers over a simple salad and lunch is ready for the next day.
My Pro Tip
Recipe Tips
Follow these tips for flavorful and juicy chicken!
- Check for Doneness: Chicken is safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness to prevent overcooking, which can dry out the chicken.
- Let It Rest: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after grilling before serving. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat, making it moist and flavorful.
FAQs
Yes! You can marinate the chicken cubes overnight in the refrigerator, which can actually enhance the flavor. The breading can also be prepared ahead of time and stored in an airtight container until you’re ready to use it.
Dry white wines like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or even a Chardonnay are excellent choices as they add a nice acidity without overpowering sweetness. If you prefer not to use alcohol, a mixture of white wine vinegar diluted with water is a suitable substitute.
Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe for the oven. Arrange the breaded chicken pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through until they are golden brown and cooked through.
More Italian Recipes
Are you looking for other recipes? Try these:
What to Serve with Chicken Spiedini
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this chicken spiedini recipe :
Chicken Spiedini Recipe with Lemon Butter Sauce
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
This Grilled Chicken Spiedini with Lemon Butter Sauce recipe combines the essence of Italian cooking—simple ingredients leading to rich flavors. Whether for a family dinner or a special gathering, it’s sure to impress. Buon appetito!
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Marinade:
- 2 lbs chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup dry white wine such as sauvignon blanc (wine is optional, but enhances flavor you can use chicken broth)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
For the Breading:
- 1 cup Italian bread crumbs (unseasoned)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano cheese or parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced
For the Lemon Butter Sauce:
- 1/2 cup butter
- Juice and zest of 1/2 lemon
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, white wine, lemon juice, sliced garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the pieces of chicken to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor. If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water while the chicken marinades.
- Prepare the Breading: In a mixing bowl, combine Italian bread crumbs, grated Parmigiano, salt, pepper, and minced parsley. After marinating, drain the chicken and discard the marinade. Dredge each piece of chicken in the breadcrumb mixture until well-coated.
- Grill* the Chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Thread the breaded chicken cubes onto wooden or metal skewers. Place the chicken skewers on the hot grill for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Chicken is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness to prevent overcooking, which can dry out the chicken.
- Make the Lemon Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, salt, rosemary, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce is aromatic and slightly reduced.
- Serve: Arrange the grilled chicken spiedini on a platter. Drizzle generously with the warm lemon butter sauce. Garnish with extra minced parsley and lemon slices for an added touch of freshness.
Notes
*How to make in the oven: you can easily adapt this recipe for the oven. Arrange the breaded chicken pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Prep Time: 10 min + marinade time
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Savory
- Method: Italian
- Cuisine: Italian
Made this using the oven method and they turned out great! Lots of flavor without much work or cleanup. Served over mashed potatoes with the sauce drizzled over everything.
Yes! The oven method is great as well. Sounds yummy with mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce!
My husband and I really enjoyed this twist on chicken kebabs. Definitely will make it again!
Thank you! I’m happy you loved them.
Made for dinner with your Panzanella salad recipe. Family loved this relatively easy meal! Thank you for sharing these amazing recipes with us!
Happy you loved both! What a great combo!
This recipe was really easy and SO good! I didn’t have any skewers so we just grilled them thin and then sliced up. Very flavorful. I used the leftovers the next day to put over a lemon alfredo pasta dish which was such a yummy combo. Saving this one as a favorite!
WOW! Yummy idea for a leftover. I usually just add to a salad, but the lemon pasta sounds great. Always love when you a find a new favorite recipe. Here’s to many more!
Made these for Father’s Day and everyone LOVED them! The flavor was amazing! Zesty lemony with a little crunch!
Yes! They are a great one for any occasion. Happy everyone loved them.
This gets 5 stars. I like to cook Mediterranean in general but I followed the directions with this because it sounded more interesting than just marinated and grilled chicken kebabs- and it was!
The wine in the marinade, the breadcrumbs on grilled chicken, and especially the lemon butter finish was awesome. After their first bite My husband and daughter said that it was fantastic!
Thanks!
Yay! So happy everyone loved it. It’s simple to make and always a crowd pleaser. We make it often in the summer :).
This recipe was fantastic!! Thank you so much for sharing. We have been so tired of chicken lately and this reminded me of the spiedini recipe my grandfather would make for us from Italy!!! Love that it’s so easy too!
Yes! So easy and flavorful. I’m happy it brought back great memories 🙂
An absolute family favorite!