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!
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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
