Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a delicious dish that’s more pork than poultry. Meet City Chicken—an unexpected treat that pays homage to its Polish-American roots. This dish takes you from the lively streets of Pittsburgh and Cleveland straight to your dinner table.
City Chicken: A Deceptive Delight
Despite its name, City Chicken isn’t made from any feathered friends. Originating during the Great Depression, this recipe creates the illusion of fried chicken legs using juicy pork instead.
So, what exactly is City Chicken? Think of it as pork’s playful answer to fried chicken. Tender cubes of pork are skewered, seasoned, coated in a crispy egg and breadcrumb mixture, quickly fried until golden, and then baked to perfection. The result? A mouthwatering mock chicken leg that’s truly irresistible.
City Chicken Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds boneless pork, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- Salt, pepper, and seasoned salt, to taste
- 4 eggs
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 2 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
You’ll also need:
- 14 (4-inch) skewers
- A 9×13-inch baking dish
- A wire rack
Instructions:
- Prepare the Skewers: Thread 2 to 3 cubes of pork onto each skewer. Season generously with salt, pepper, and seasoned salt. Set aside.
- Mix the Coatings: In one shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. In a second bowl, place the seasoned breadcrumbs. Set a wire rack inside your baking dish and add water, ensuring it doesn’t touch the rack.
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan until it reaches 350°F.
- Coat the Skewers: Dip each skewer first into the egg mixture, then into the breadcrumbs. For extra crunch, consider double-dipping!
- Fry the Skewers: Fry each skewer for about 3 minutes on each side, or until they achieve a beautiful golden-brown color.
- Bake: Transfer the fried skewers to the wire rack, spacing them apart. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the pork is no longer pink. For a final crispy touch, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- Serve: Enjoy your City Chicken hot, and watch as everyone marvels at this delightful surprise!
So, are you ready to dig into some City Chicken? Dive in and savor a dish that carries a rich history right onto your plate! Enjoy!
