There’s a certain magic to the char-grilled symphony of flavors that dance across the tastebuds with each tender bite of Chicken Spiedies. These marinated morsels have captured my culinary heart, and I simply must share the love with you, my fellow food enthusiasts at Food and Meal.
As “Gobble,” your devoted food whisperer and connoisseur of the savory, I find immense joy in unearthing gems from the vast mosaic of regional cuisine – those dishes that, while perhaps obscure to many, resonate with the soul once discovered. Chicken Spiedies, hailing from the heart of Binghamton, New York, epitomize such a hidden treasure.
On a crisp afternoon, with the amber hues of the sun setting the sky ablaze, the impulse to fire up the grill becomes irresistible. Who wouldn’t yearn for the perfect outdoor meal that sings of summer joys and simple pleasures?
As I prepare the Spiedies, I am reminded of the importance of patience – a virtue that indeed carries over into the kitchen. The chicken needs to steep in its herbaceous bath overnight to achieve the pinnacle of zest and tenderness. This marination period is not merely a step in the recipe; it’s an exercise in anticipation. As the tang of vinegar, the warmth of garlic, and the embrace of herbs permeate the chicken, a part of me, too, melds with the process, awaiting the harmony of flavors.
Crafting Chicken Spiedies isn’t just cooking; it’s an act of bringing people together, an ode to the bonds forged over shared meals and stories told around the flames. It’s the reason my heart swells at the thought of serving these little bundles of joy on skewers to dear friends and cherished guests.
Chicken Spiedies Recipe
If you are looking for the perfect BBQ sauce, you can find a good spiedie recipe online. It’s a good idea to use a sauce that is made with a marinade based on vinegar and oil. The sauce is a classic combination for BBQ pits and can be used for chicken spiedies. The barbecue sauce is one of the most important aspects of this delicious sandwich. If you like it, you’ll be making it often.
Chicken Spiedies - Binghamton, N.Y
Ingredients
RECOMMENDED HERBS, SPICES AND SEASONINGS (To help you with flavoring your cubed meat, here is the list of herbs, seasonings and spices you may choose from)
Instructions
METHOD ONE: OVEN COOKING
- The meat gives off special tenderness with every morsel, plus the juice that comes off from it can be used as a sauce. All you have to do is to marinate the cubed meat pieces and cook them in a moderately high flame on the stove until the outside meat turns into brown.
- Incorporate the meat and selected braising sauce (but not the marinade!) and put it into a medium-hot oven until tender. If you want it to look like it to have the skewered spiedie look, skewer the cubed meat on a roasting rack in your oven. It is more practical to use metal skewers but just in case that this kind is not available, soak wooden skewers into the water for 30 minutes.
- The longer the soaking period is better. This process will prevent the wooden skewers to get burnt. Upon cooking, let the cooked meat rest for about 3-5 minutes before you eat. It will give time for the juices to seep back to the center, rendering your spiedie juicier.
METHOD TWO: STOVE TOP
- Before marinating the cubed meats, make a quick fry of them just enough to make them brown. After that, stew them with a flavorful and spicy liquid over medium-low heat.
- On the other hand, you may also choose to marinate the meat and sauté them later on with oil on a stove top. Get the meat and place on the bread with the sauce of your choice.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
© Food And Meal
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the Spoonacular Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Oven-Baked Chicken Spiedies Method
To prepare delicious oven-baked Chicken Spiedies, kickstart the process with a thorough marination of chicken cubes in your preferred Chicken Spiedies marinade. For an optimal burst of flavors, allow the chicken to marinate overnight in the refrigerator. As you gear up for the cooking phase, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it warms up, simplify cleanup by lining a baking tray with aluminum foil and placing a wire rack on top. Now, carefully thread the marinated chicken cubes onto pre-soaked wooden skewers, ensuring a slight gap between each cube for uniform cooking. Position the skewered chicken on the wire rack, promoting even heat circulation for a slightly crispy exterior reminiscent of the grilled version. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken achieves a fully cooked state with a delightful golden hue. For an additional touch of charred goodness, consider switching to the broil setting for 2-3 minutes, keeping a watchful eye to prevent burning. Once cooked to perfection, allow the Chicken Spiedies to rest briefly before serving them on their skewers or sliding them onto fresh bread. For an extra flourish, drizzle with additional marinade or dressing if desired, and savor the deliciousness of your oven-baked Chicken Spiedies.
Calories per Ingredient
Here are the foods from our food nutrition database that were used for the nutrition calculations of this recipe.
Calories per serving of Chicken Spiedies
- 106 calories of Chicken Breast (cooked), no skin, roasted, (3.08 ounces)
- 70 calories of Wegmans Giant White Bread, (1 serving)
- 31 calories of Wegmans Spiedie Marinade, (1.23 tbsp)
Saving Money on Binghamton, N.Y Chicken Spiedies
If you’re cooking on a budget, consider ordering your Chicken Spiedies online. They’re easy to prepare and are perfect for backyard cookouts. People in Binghamton, NY often eat Spiedies in restaurants and buy them in supermarkets. This dish is considered a staple of the area, and the locals make them at home on barbecue pits. The sauce is a special treat that is a must for anyone in the area!
Shop carefully for your chicken and know the highs and lows in your area; normally chicken will drop to a rock bottom low once a quarter or so. The larger family packs are generally less per pound so pick them up and portion in sizes your family will use and freeze.
When shopping for lemons, pay attention to the weight. Weigh several and pick the heaviest. As far as the herbs, look for packages in the produce section or check out the bulk herbs if your store has them. It really does pay to grow your own herbs in the garden or in pots. Bring them in when fall hits or just harvest and dry.
The rolls may be a challenge to find in some areas. Check your store’s bakery – their selection may be better and the prices are usually lower than the groceries “bread” section. I was able to find some nice rolls in the bakery section. Aldi has a nice, soft, hoagie type of a roll, and if you wish to go higher end, maybe check out brioche rolls. If all else fails, look for a good bakery hot dog bun.
Tips for making Chicken Spiedies
FAQs on Chicken Spiedies
1. How long should I marinate the chicken for optimum flavor?
The ideal marination time for Chicken Spiedies is overnight, as it allows the flavors to penetrate deeply. However, if you’re short on time, a minimum of 3-4 hours will still give you a flavorful result. Always marinate in the refrigerator.
2. Can I use other meats for Spiedies?
Absolutely! While chicken is popular, Spiedies can be made with lamb, beef, or pork. Just adjust the cooking time based on the meat’s thickness and ensure it’s cooked thoroughly.
3. How can I achieve a charred taste without a grill?
Using the broiler in your oven can replicate the charred taste. After baking the skewers, switch to the broil setting for 2-3 minutes, closely monitoring to prevent burning.
4. I have leftover cooked Chicken Spiedies. How should I store them?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should be consumed within 3 days for the best quality. To reheat, use an oven or microwave, but avoid overcooking to prevent the chicken from becoming dry.
5. Can I prepare the marinade in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the marinade a couple of days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to use, give it a good stir, then add the chicken.
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Spiedies
Chicken Spiedies, a beloved dish in upstate New York, boasts marinated chicken grilled on skewers and traditionally served in soft Italian bread or rolls. The versatility of Chicken Spiedies opens the door to a variety of thoughtful pairings. Consider a surf & turf theme by adding a small, lightly seasoned portion of Grilled Halibut, whose mild, sweet flavor contrasts beautifully with the savory, herbal notes of the chicken. For a hearty meal combination, offer a slice of Spinach Quiche, featuring a creamy, custardy texture that complements the tender, marinated chicken. To lighten things up, serve Vegetable Maki rolls, providing a refreshing crunch with crisp vegetables wrapped in sushi rice and seaweed. The Kohlrabi Salad introduces a tangy, crunchy side to balance the heartiness of the Chicken Spiedies. Opt for Pasta Primavera for a more substantial side, with seasonal vegetables and a light sauce harmonizing well with the Italian flavors of the spiedies. Conclude the meal with a sweet note by pairing Chicken Spiedies with Cherry Cobbler, offering a delightful contrast of sweetness and tartness. For a refreshing drink, an Easy Frappuccino or Easy Iced Coffee provides a slightly bitter offset to counter the rich taste of the meat. Lastly, a Kale Caesar Salad, blending the classic Caesar with the added nutrition of kale, serves as a crunchy and creamy accompaniment that complements the flavors of the chicken. These thoughtful pairings elevate the Chicken Spiedies experience, showcasing its adaptability to various palates and preferences.
Cooking Tips for Chicken Spiedies
Emotionally, the experience of eating a well-prepared Spiedie is akin to that of comfort and joy, reminiscent of summertime barbecues and gatherings with friends and family. To get that nostalgic, home-grilled flavor, good marinade time is crucial—ideally overnight. This patience allows the herbs and spices to infuse the meat thoroughly, resulting in a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate with each bite.
The choice of marinade can be an expression of personal taste; some prefer a zesty Italian dressing base, while others might opt for a more herb-forward or even slightly acidic vinaigrette to tenderize the meat and impart a tangy undertone. A little tip from the heart – don’t skimp on the fresh garlic and herbs in your marinade. It can make all the difference in achieving that bright, rich flavor profile that elevates your Spiedie from the mundane to the marvellous.
When it comes time to cook, your soulful attention to the grill’s heat is essential. The beauty of Spiedies lies in how the edges of the meat cubes become delicately caramelized while the interior remains succulent. Achieving this balance is a labor of love, requiring a watchful eye and a willingness to adjust the skewers’ position over the flames for a consistent cook.
Serving Spiedies can be as simple or as elaborative as your mood dictates. Traditionally, one might lightly toast a roll and allow the Spiedies to gently tumble into the bread, perhaps with a drizzle of additional marinade for moisture and flavor. Or if you’re feeling a dash of creativity, serve them over a fresh salad, intertwined with the freshest greens and vegetables for a crunchier, wholesome contrast.
Finally, my personal opinion on Spiedies: there’s truly a special kind of delight involved in the process – from the careful preparation to the sizzling sounds on the grill. The aroma alone conjures a sense of togetherness and an appreciation for the simpler joys of cooking. It’s a tribute to how simple ingredients, when combined with care, can produce a dish that’s so buoyantly flavorful and satisfying.
Conclusion
Chicken Spiedies, a culinary delight hailing from the Southern Tier of New York State, embody the heart and soul of regional cooking – simplicity, taste, and a touch of community pride. These skewered morsels, traditionally marinated for 24 hours and cooked over a flame, are a testament to the close-knit cultural fabric within which they were born. The marinade, an amalgam of vinegar, herbs, and spices, tenderizes the meat and imparts an unmistakable flavor that has tantalized taste buds for generations.
While adaptations of Chicken Spiedies recipes can include a variety of meats and serving styles – from lamb on soft Italian bread to pork tucked into pitas – the classic chicken version remains a profound favorite. This preference is not just out of loyalty to tradition, but for its satisfying balance of simplicity and zest that honors the main ingredient without overshadowing it.
A final reflection on Chicken Spiedies would not be complete without celebrating the joy that comes from sharing this meal. Whether it’s at a family gathering, a local festa, or a quick weekday dinner, the experience of enjoying spiedies brings people together in a palpable, communal fashion. It is food, not solely as sustenance, but as an experience and an expression of a community’s living history.
For more spirited discussions, inventive recipes, and thoughtful reviews of dishes like Chicken Spiedies, one need look no further than Food And Meal or foodandmeal.com. This website stands out as a treasure trove of culinary knowledge where tradition and modernity blend, delivering mouth-watering content that satisfies the curious gourmand and the hungry traveler alike.
In the spirit of continuous discovery, to learn more about this regional specialty, and to keep abreast of the ever-evolving world of gastronomy, foodandmeal.com is your next port of call. Here, you can journey through countless recipes, dive into food lore, and connect with others who share a passion for exceptional taste experiences.
Hi! I’m Paula from the Philippines, the passionate blogger and skilled photographer behind Gobble the Cook. I also spearhead the media photography for Food And Meal in Vietnam.
I'm James F Anderson, a noted sous chef from London and a Le Cordon Bleu alumnus. My career began in a Michelin-starred Parisian eatery, where my blend of classic and contemporary cooking, using seasonal ingredients, earned accolades. Recognized in culinary publications and on cooking shows, I’m committed to mentoring aspiring chefs and delivering memorable dining experiences, marking me as a standout talent in the culinary world.