Lemon Herb Chicken Spiedini with Parmesan and Parsley Recipe
Chicken Spiedini is a flavorful Italian-inspired grilled chicken skewer recipe featuring tender chicken pieces marinated in a zesty lemon, garlic, and Italian herb-infused olive oil, then coated with a crispy Parmesan-panko crust and grilled to juicy perfection. This dish is perfect as a light main course or appetizer, served with a refreshing lemony sauce and fresh parsley garnish.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 5 to 7 skewers, serving 4 to 6 people 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade and Sauce
- 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves, grated (about 1 1/2 tsp.)
- 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Chicken and Coating
- 4 (8-oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1” pieces
- 1 tsp chicken bouillon (such as Better Than Bouillon; optional)
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
- 5 to 7 wooden skewers
Instructions
- Soak Skewers: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours to prevent them from burning during grilling.
- Prepare Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, grated garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and several grinds of black pepper until well combined.
- Toss Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with the chicken bouillon (if using) and one-third cup of the prepared sauce. Add the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, a large pinch of kosher salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Gently toss everything together so the chicken is evenly coated with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Thread Chicken on Skewers: Thread 4 to 5 pieces of the coated chicken onto each soaked skewer. Sprinkle and gently press any remaining breadcrumb coating over the chicken on the skewers to help it adhere well.
- Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat for about 5 minutes. Alternatively, heat a grill pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat.
- Grill Chicken: Place the skewers on the hot grill or grill pan. Grill, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown on all sides and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F, about 5 minutes per side.
- Serve: Transfer the cooked skewers to a platter. Stir the chopped parsley into the remaining marinade sauce, then spoon some of this sauce over the skewers. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese and serve the rest of the sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Soaking the wooden skewers prevents them from burning during grilling.
- Using chicken bouillon enhances the savoriness but is optional.
- If you don’t have a grill, the skewers can be cooked in a grill pan or under a broiler.
- Always use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is safely cooked to 165°F.
- Leftover marinade can be served as a dipping sauce if stored separately before grilling.
Keywords: Chicken Spiedini, grilled chicken skewers, Italian chicken recipe, lemon garlic chicken, Parmesan chicken, summer grilling
