Slide 4–5 cubes onto each wooden skewer, pressing them close together until they form a compact, drumstick-like shape.
📌 Tip: Soak wooden skewers in water for 10 minutes to prevent them from burning during cooking.
3️⃣ Prepare the Breading Station
Set up three bowls:
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Bowl 1: Flour
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Bowl 2: Beaten eggs + milk
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Bowl 3: Breadcrumbs
Coat each skewer in this order:
Flour → Egg → Breadcrumbs
Press the breadcrumbs in firmly — this helps create that thick, crispy crust.
4️⃣ Brown the Skewers (Optional but Highly Recommended)
Heat a skillet with 2–3 tablespoons of oil.
Brown each skewer on all sides for about 2–3 minutes per side, until:
✔ golden
✔ crispy
✔ sealed on the outside
This step locks in moisture and adds incredible flavor.
5️⃣ Bake to Tender Perfection
Place the browned skewers into a baking dish.
Add ½ cup of chicken broth to the bottom of the pan to keep the meat juicy.
Cover with foil and bake at:
350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes
Remove the foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until the crust is crisp and the inside is fully cooked and tender.
Your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing!
🍽️ How to Serve City Chicken
This dish is incredibly versatile. Serve it with:
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Creamy mashed potatoes
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Mushroom gravy
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Buttered noodles
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Roasted vegetables
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Homemade coleslaw
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Green beans or peas
For dipping:
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Honey mustard
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Spicy mayo
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Barbecue sauce
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Ranch
It’s also fantastic served alone as a crispy handheld snack.
💡 Helpful Cooking Tips
✔ Press meat cubes tightly together so they resemble chicken legs.
✔ Don’t skip browning — it dramatically improves texture and flavor.
✔ For extra crunch, double-dip in egg → breadcrumbs.
✔ Add paprika to breadcrumbs for deeper color.
✔ Use seasoned breadcrumbs for better flavor.
❤️ The History Behind City Chicken (Fun Facts!)
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It appeared in cookbooks from the 1930s and 1940s.
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Popular among Polish, Ukrainian, and Italian immigrant families.
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Pork was cheaper than chicken for decades — the opposite of today!
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Some versions call for deep frying, while others are baked or pan-fried.
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It’s a Sunday dinner tradition in many Midwestern households.
Knowing the history makes the dish even more meaningful.
📌 Printable-Style Recipe Card
City Chicken Made Easy
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6–8 skewers
Ingredients
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2 lbs pork cubes
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6–8 wooden skewers
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Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
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1 cup flour
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2 eggs
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2 tbsp milk
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1 ½ cups breadcrumbs
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Oil for frying
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½ cup chicken broth
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Season pork cubes.
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Thread onto skewers tightly.
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Dredge in flour, dip in eggs, coat in breadcrumbs.
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Brown in oil on all sides.
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Place in baking dish with broth.
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Cover and bake 30 minutes.
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Uncover and bake 10–15 minutes more.
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Serve warm and enjoy!
⭐ Final Thoughts
City Chicken Made Easy is more than a recipe — it’s a piece of American culinary history. It’s comfort food at its finest: warm, crispy, tender, nostalgic, and incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re introducing someone to it for the first time or revisiting a childhood memory, this dish always delivers.
