Michael Symon’s Crispy City Chicken Recipe: Classic Comfort Made Simple

Michael Symon’s city chicken ignites a flavor revolution that turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Tender meat cubes dance with a golden, crispy coating that crackles with each delectable bite.

Aromatic spices weave magic through this innovative comfort food creation, challenging traditional poultry expectations.

Regional cooking techniques breathe life into this nostalgic dish, transforming simple ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Every morsel tells a story of culinary creativity and home-cooked passion.

The recipe honors time-honored traditions while surprising taste buds with its unexpected depth of flavor.

You’ll fall in love with this irresistible dish that bridges generations through its pure, comforting deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 570 kcal

Servings: 4

What Goes Into Michael Symon’s City Chicken

• Pork: Select fresh, lean cuts with minimal fat for tender skewers.
• Veal: Choose pale, delicate meat from younger animals for subtle flavor.

• Eggs: Pick extra-fresh eggs with bright, firm yolks for perfect wash.
• Breadcrumbs, Parmesan Cheese: Use fine, dry breadcrumbs and freshly grated parmesan for crispy texture.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Opt for coarse sea salt and freshly ground pepper for robust flavor.
• Paprika: Select high-quality, vibrant Hungarian or Spanish paprika for rich color.

• Cooking Oil: Choose neutral oils like vegetable or canola for even browning.
• Broth or Water: Use low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth for depth.
• Flour: Select all-purpose flour for smooth, lump-free gravy.
• Aluminum Foil: Ensure heavy-duty foil for proper meat coverage during baking.

Cooking Gear for Michael Symon’s City Chicken

• Shallow bowl: Perfect for whisking eggs and creating egg wash.
• Whisk: Essential for blending eggs smoothly.
• Mixing bowl: Ideal for combining breadcrumbs, paprika, and parmesan.
• Skewers: Needed to thread and hold meat pieces together.
• Baking dish: Used to transfer and bake skewered meat.
• Aluminum foil: Covers dish during baking to retain moisture.
• Skillet: Great for browning meat and creating quick gravy.
• Cooking oil: Helps brown skewers evenly.
• Measuring spoons: For accurate seasoning amounts.
• Tongs: Helpful for handling and turning skewers.
• Cutting board: Useful for preparing ingredients.

How to Make City Chicken

Create Delectable City Chicken Skewers

Begin your culinary adventure by preparing a mouthwatering dish that combines tender meat and crispy coating. This classic comfort food will transform your dinner into a memorable feast.

• Craft the Coating

Mix breadcrumbs with a sprinkle of paprika and grated parmesan cheese in a wide, shallow bowl. This flavorful blend will create a golden, crunchy exterior that locks in the meat’s juiciness.

• Prepare the Meat

Thread alternating chunks of pork and veal onto skewers, ensuring each piece is evenly spaced. Season the meat generously with salt and pepper, massaging the spices into every surface for maximum flavor.

• Build the Perfect Layers

Whisk eggs in a separate bowl until smooth. Dunk each skewered meat piece into the egg wash, allowing excess to drip off. Roll the skewers through the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to create a complete, even coating.

• Sear and Brown

Heat a skillet with a splash of oil over medium-high heat. Carefully place the skewers in the pan, turning every few minutes to achieve a rich, golden-brown crust that seals in the meat’s tenderness.

• Bake to Perfection

Transfer the skewered meat to a baking dish, covering tightly with foil. Slide into a preheated 350°F oven and bake for about 20 minutes, ensuring the meat cooks through completely.

• Quick Gravy Finale

Return the skillet to the stove, deglazing with broth and scraping up those delicious browned bits. Whisk in a touch of flour to create a silky, rich gravy that complements the crispy skewers.

Serve immediately, drizzling the warm gravy over the city chicken skewers. Enjoy this comforting classic that brings together texture, flavor, and pure culinary joy.

Cooking Tips for Symon’s City Chicken Recipe

Swap pork and veal with chicken or turkey for a lighter protein blend that still delivers delicious flavor and texture.

Experiment with different herbs like dried thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning to add complex layers of taste to your breadcrumb mixture.

Cover the skewers with foil during baking to trap steam and ensure the meat stays incredibly juicy and tender without drying out.

For extra crunch, double-coat the skewers by repeating the egg wash and breadcrumb process, creating a thicker, more golden-brown crust that provides satisfying crispiness in every bite.

Best Ways to Serve Michael Symon’s City Chicken

• Pair with Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Serve the city chicken skewers alongside smooth, buttery mashed potatoes that perfectly complement the crispy meat coating.
• Brighten with Fresh Salad: Add a colorful mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, savory flavors of the skewers.
• Drizzle with Herb Sauce: Create a zesty herb sauce with chopped parsley, garlic, and a touch of lemon to add brightness and cut through the meat's richness.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped chives or parsley on top to add a pop of color and fresh flavor to the finished dish.

Meal Planning With Michael Symon’s City Chicken

• Preserve Freshness: Store leftover city chicken skewers in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the skewers completely before sealing to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
• Quick Reheat Method: Warm refrigerated skewers in the oven at 325°F for 10-12 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent drying out and keep meat tender and juicy. Splash a small amount of broth over the skewers before reheating to enhance moisture.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual skewers tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen city chicken can be stored safely for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Meal Prep Hack: Prepare multiple batches of skewers in advance. Uncooked, seasoned skewers can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before cooking. This strategy saves time and allows for easy weeknight meal preparation, perfect for busy families or meal planning enthusiasts.

Crispy Michael Symon City Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

City chicken from Cleveland showcases pork and veal cubes threaded on wooden skewers, breaded and baked until golden brown. Midwestern comfort meat on a stick delivers hearty flavors you’ll savor with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) city chicken (pork or veal cubes)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 2 tbsps Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• salt and pepper to taste
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 0.5 cup chicken stock, broth or water
• 1–2 tbsps flour

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Instructions

1. Preparation Setup: Position oven rack centrally and preheat to 350°F, simultaneously preparing a cast-iron skillet for meat browning.
2. Coating Preparation: Whisk eggs in shallow bowl while combining breadcrumbs, paprika, and Parmesan cheese in separate mixing container, creating seasoned coating mixture.
3. Meat Skewering: Thread pork and veal chunks onto skewers uniformly, seasoning generously with salt and pepper, ensuring even distribution of spices across protein.
4. Breading Process: Dip each skewered meat portion into whisked eggs, allowing excess to drip, then roll comprehensively in seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to secure complete coverage.
5. Browning Technique: Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-high temperature, carefully placing coated skewers and rotating every 2-3 minutes to develop golden-brown exterior, creating rich caramelized crust.
6. Oven Roasting: Transfer browned skewers into baking dish, cover tightly with foil, and roast for 20 minutes until internal pork temperature reaches 145°F, maintaining moisture and tenderness.
7. Gravy Finishing: Reduce skillet heat, deglaze with chicken broth, whisk in flour to create luxurious sauce, then drizzle over finished city chicken skewers before serving.

Notes

• Meat Selection Matters: Choose high-quality, evenly cut pork and veal chunks for consistent cooking and optimal texture.
• Coating Technique: Press breadcrumb mixture firmly onto skewers to create a crispy, even golden-brown crust that locks in moisture.
• Temperature Control: Monitor meat temperature precisely to prevent overcooking and ensure juicy, tender protein results.
• Gravy Enhancement: Scrape skillet’s caramelized bits when making gravy to add deep, rich flavor dimensions to the final dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking, Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg