Marinated Chicken Spiedies (2024)

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Unleash your grill’s potential with these marinated Chicken Spiedies: succulent, herb-infused chicken cubes nestled in toasty Italian rolls, all lavished with a delectable homemade garlic sauce. It’s a symphony of flavors in every bite that will have you yearning for seconds!

Table of Contents

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The Best Marinated Chicken Spiedies With Garlic Sauce

Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on the culinary triumph that is the marinated Chicken Spiedies! Imagine bite-sized morsels of chicken, bathing in a zesty, herb-infused marinade, then char-grilled until they’re smoky and utterly irresistible.

These treasures are cradled in a toasty Italian roll, drizzled with a finger-licking homemade garlic sauce that brings it all together. This isn’t just a meal, it’s an experience. If there’s a sandwich worth firing up the grill for, this is the one. Don’t just trust me, let your taste buds do the talking!

What Are Spiedies?

Chicken Spiedies are a popular dish originating from Binghamton in the Southern Tier of New York State. The term “spiedie” (pronounced “speedy”) comes from the Italian spiedo meaning spit, and simply refers to cubes of meat cooked on a skewer.

This regional specialty, known for its long marination period and distinct marinade ingredients, is typically served in a soft roll, similar to a sub or hoagie, with the skewer removed. While chicken is a common choice, Spiedies can also be made with almost any meat including pork, lamb, beef, and venison.

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Why You’ll Love These Chicken Spiedies

  • Quick Easy Meal! This is a no-fuss super simple recipe that produces the most delicious chicken sandwiches with layers of flavor using just a handful of basic ingredients and a hot grill.
  • NY Italian American Classic! Binghamton, New York, is the birthplace of these incredibly tasty lemon herb marinated grilled chicken skewer sandwiches!
  • Versatile Dish! While the traditional way to enjoy spiedies is on a warm toasted roll, the cubes of grilled chicken can also be eaten right off the skewer as an appetizer, used to top salads, make tacos, or even incorporated into other recipes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

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  • Chicken Breasts: The star of this dish, chicken is a lean and versatile protein. You can substitute it with other meats like pork, beef, or lamb.
  • Italian Rolls: These rolls are soft and slightly chewy, perfect for holding the grilled chicken. Substitute with any sturdy bread or roll that can hold up to the juicy, marinated chicken.
  • Butter: Used to brush on the rolls for a toasty, buttery flavor. If you’re dairy-free, use a vegan butter alternative or olive oil.
  • Olive Oil: Used in the marinade for richness and to help the herbs adhere to the chicken. You can use any neutral oil in its place.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds tanginess to both the marinade and the garlic sauce. Vinegar could be used as a substitute.
  • Fresh Cilantro and Parsley: These herbs add a bright, fresh flavor to the marinade. You can replace them with other fresh herbs like basil or oregano.
  • Salt and Pepper: Enhances the flavor of the other ingredients. Adjust according to your taste preference.
  • Vegetable Oil: Used in the garlic sauce for a neutral, clean flavor. Can be substituted with any neutral oil.
  • Garlic: Provides a robust, aromatic flavor to the garlic sauce. If you’re not a fan, reduce the amount or skip it entirely.
  • Egg White: Acts as an emulsifier for the garlic sauce. For an egg-free version, you can leave it out, the sauce might just be a bit thinner. Alternatively, use aquafaba or soy lecithin.

How To Make Chicken Spiedies

This chicken spiedie recipe is a breeze! Similar to Chicken Kebabs, spiedies are grilled on skewers which means they are incredibly easy to make! But don’t fret if you don’t own a grill! You can simply cook them in a cast iron grill pan on the stovetop or pop them under a broiler.

Make The Garlic Sauce

The first step is to make the addictively good garlic sauce, which will give the fresh garlic some extra time to infuse the sauce with flavor! All you have to do is put all the sauce ingredients into a blender and then blend the mixture together until a smooth sauce forms, which typically takes about 1 to 2 minutes. Then just put the sauce in the fridge until you are ready to assemble your sandwiches.

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Marinate The Chicken

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Next, make the chicken marinade by whisking all the ingredients together in a small bowl. Then put the chunks of chicken into a ziplock bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Now, seal the bag tightly and toss the chicken around in the marinade until it’s well coated. Then open the bag just a bit, remove as much air as possible, and seal the bag again. This helps to create better contact between the chicken and the marinade. Finally, put the chicken in the fridge to marinate for at least 2 hours and up to overnight.

For the most flavorful Spiedies, let the chicken marinate overnight. This allows the marinade to deeply penetrate the chicken, infusing it with a rich, herbaceous flavor that’s unrivaled. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!

Prep For Grilling

Once the chicken has had enough time to properly marinate, make sure your grill is ready for cooking by checking to see that it is clean and oiling the grill grates. Then preheat your gas grill to medium-high so that it can get good and hot while you skewer the marinated chicken.

Skewer The Chicken And Butter The Rolls

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While your grill is heating up you’ll want to get the rolls and chicken prepped. To begin, cut all the rolls in half lengthwise and then generously brush the inside of the rolls with butter. Next, thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers dividing the cubes of meat equally among them.

Grill The Chicken And Rolls

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After the marinated chicken has been skewered, lay all the skewers directly onto the hot grill in a single layer. Now, grill the chicken skewers on each side for about 3 minutes or until they are fully cooked and begin to brown. Chicken is considered done once the internal temperature of the meat has reached at least 165°F (74°C). Then place the rolls on the grill buttered side down and grill them for about 2 minutes or until the bread is toasty.

No grill? No problem! Heat your grill pan over medium-high heat, then cook the skewered chicken, turning frequently, for about 3-4 minutes per side or until the chicken is cooked through and beautifully charred.

Assemble The Spiedies

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Now that the chicken is grilled, the rolls are toasted, and the sauce is made, it’s time to put these delicious sandwiches together! First, lay a grilled chicken skewer inside each of the toasted rolls. Then carefully slide the chicken off the stick just leaving the meat on the bread. Finally, drizzle each sandwich with some garlic sauce and then immediately serve your marinated chicken spiedies!

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Egg Free Garlic Sauce

The egg white in the garlic sauce helps to create a creamy and stable emulsion. However, if you prefer not to use egg or are catering to dietary restrictions, you can substitute the egg white with the following options:

  • Aquafaba: Aquafaba is the liquid from a can of chickpeas and it acts as an excellent egg substitute due to its similar protein content. Use 2 tablespoons of aquafaba to replace the egg white.
  • Soy Lecithin: Soy lecithin is a natural emulsifier and can be used to replace the egg white. Use around 1/2 teaspoon for this recipe.

Remember to adjust your seasoning as needed when making substitutions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other meats for Spiedies?

Absolutely! While chicken is traditional, you can experiment with pork, beef, or even lamb. Just adjust your cooking time to ensure the meat is cooked through.

I don’t have Italian rolls. What else can I use?

Any sturdy bread or roll that can hold up to the juicy, marinated chicken will work. Sub rolls or hoagie rolls are good alternatives.

Can I make the garlic sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can. In fact, the flavors will intensify over time. Just store it in the fridge and give it a good stir or shake before using.

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh for the marinade?

Fresh herbs are preferred for their bright, fresh flavors, but if you only have dried herbs on hand, use about one third of the specified amount, since dried herbs are more potent.

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Expert Tips

  1. Equal size chunks. One of the keys to grilling perfect skewers is making sure to cube the skinless chicken breast into bite-size pieces that are all about the same size, which helps to ensure that they cook more evenly.
  2. Properly marinate the chicken. As the recipe states, you need to leave the chicken marinating in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Yet, if possible you should leave it even longer to further enhance the taste and tenderness of the meat.
  3. Soak wooden skewers. If you opt to use wooden or bamboo skewers you will want to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before adding the chicken. This helps to prevent the skewers from catching fire or burning on the grill.
  4. Just wait if it’s sticking. If you find that your chicken skewers are sticking to the grill, just give them another minute. If the temperature is too high chicken will sometimes stick, but the good news is that once the char marks form it should release itself.

Storage

Storing leftover Chicken Spiedies is a breeze. Simply place them in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge, where they’ll keep beautifully for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to serve them again, reheat gently on a stovetop or in the oven to bring them back to their juicy best. So, go ahead and make a big batch, you’ll be glad to have these mouthwatering leftovers on hand!

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Other Delicious Chicken Recipes

  • Grilled Chicken Kebabs
  • Grilled Chicken Sandwich
  • Easy Grilled Chicken Breast
  • Cilantro Lime Chicken with Strawberry Salsa
  • Beer and Honey BBQ Chicken Skewers
  • Crispy Chicken Cutlets

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Marinated Chicken Spiedies (13)

4.72 from 45 votes

Marinated Chicken Spiedies

Prep 15 minutes minutes

Marinating Time 2 hours hours

Cook 15 minutes minutes

Total 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

4

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This isn't just any chicken sandwich, it's the marinated Chicken Spiedies! Picture this: succulent chicken, soaked in a zesty, herby marinade, and grilled to smoky perfection. Tucked into a buttery toasted Italian roll and drizzled with a homemade garlic sauce that's absolutely to die for. Trust me, this is a flavor party you don't want to miss!

Video

Ingredients

  • 3 large chicken breasts (cut into cubes)
  • 4 Italian rolls
  • 2 tablespoons butter (melted)

Marinade Ingredients

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Garlic sauce

  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • cup lemon juice
  • 6 cloves garlic (peeled)
  • 1 egg white*
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions

Garlic Sauce

  • Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth, it should take 1 to 2 minutes. This recipe will make about 1½ cups of sauce, refrigerate leftover sauce.

Spiedies

  • In a small bowl whisk together the marinade ingredients. Place the chicken in a ziploc bag and pour the marinade over the chicken, seal the bag, toss to combine. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours up to overnight.

  • When ready to cook turn on your grill to medium high heat. Clean and oil the grill.

  • Cut the rolls lengthwise and brush the inside of the roll generously with butter.

  • Thread the chicken on 4 skewers, making sure to divide the meat equally among the skewers.

  • Grill the chicken on all sides, about 3 minutes per side, until chicken is cooked and starts to brown. Place the rolls on the grill and let them grill for about 2 minutes or until the bread starts to brown.

  • In each roll lay a grilled skewer inside. Gripping the roll at the bottom, carefully slide skewer off, leaving meat in the bread. Drizzle generously with the garlic sauce.

Notes

  1. Egg White: You can omit the egg white in the recipe. It’s primarily used as an emulsifier to help the oil and lemon juice blend together more smoothly, creating a creamier sauce. However, if you or someone you’re cooking for has an egg allergy or dietary restrictions, you can leave it out. The sauce may be a bit thinner and less creamy, but it should still taste great. Just make sure to blend the sauce well and give it a good stir or shake before drizzling it onto your spiedies.
  2. Marination Time: The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavorful it will be. If time allows, consider marinating the chicken overnight.
  3. Grilling: Be careful not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender. Keep an eye on your skewers and turn them regularly for even grilling.
  4. Substitutions: While chicken is traditionally used, feel free to use other meats like pork, beef, or lamb.
  5. Serving: Chicken Spiedies are best served fresh off the grill. However, if you’re planning to serve them later, consider grilling the bread and heating up the chicken just before serving.
  6. Garlic Sauce: This sauce is quite flavorful. If you’re not a fan of strong garlic flavor, you might want to start with half the amount and adjust to taste.
  7. Storage: Leftover Chicken Spiedies can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently to avoid drying out the chicken.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1spiedieCalories: 559kcal (28%)Carbohydrates: 23g (8%)Protein: 23g (46%)Fat: 42g (65%)Saturated Fat: 9g (56%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 69mg (23%)Sodium: 892mg (39%)Potassium: 476mg (14%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 4g (4%)Vitamin A: 586IU (12%)Vitamin C: 21mg (25%)Calcium: 63mg (6%)Iron: 2mg (11%)

© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

Marinated Chicken Spiedies (2024)
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