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Home » Appetizers » Chicken Spiedini [No Bread Crumbs]

Chicken Spiedini [No Bread Crumbs]

October 19, 2019 , Updated February 1, 2021 Maria 10 Comments

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The famouse Italian appetizer, chicken spiedini on a bed of lettuce.

Looking for easy finger food appetizers? This Chicken Spiedini is a no-fuss Italian appetizer that will quickly become your go-to party recipe whenever you are entertaining! 

Well seasoned chicken spiedini on a bed of Roman lettuce.

It’s hard to resist Italian finger foods.

They are fun to prepare and more importantly, they are so delicious to eat!

Whether you are serving potato croquettes or Italian pizza, you can’t go wrong with Italian food appetizers. 

Today, I’m sharing a modern version of Italian street food that is not only quick to make but so incredibly mouthwatering! More specifically, you will notice the absence of breadcrumbs

Whether you refer to these Italian chicken kabobs as spiedini, arrosticini or spidducci, you are going to love the convenience of being able to make them ahead of time.

Take a look at how easy it is to make this Italian grilled chicken recipe.

Skewers of chicken spiedini on a wooden board.

How to Make Chicken Spiedini:

If using wooden skewers, totally submerge and soak in water for at least 30 minutes, while we prep the recipe. Ideally, soak the skewers overnight. You can also use steel skewers. 

The ingredients to make the marinade for this Italian appetizer are in individual bowls.

In a large, shallow dish, whisk together all of the ingredients for the marinade:

  • 2-3 tablespoons white wine
  • 2-3 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
  • 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1½ teaspoons paprika or Cajun spice
  • juice of 1 freshly squeezed lemon
  • 2-3 cloves of garlic, sliced

The marinade is being whisked together.

Use a very sharp knife to carefully slice 2 chicken breasts (about 550 grams) in ¼ inch strips and place in the dish with the marinade. If desired, you can also cut them into cubes.

Chicken skewers are being marinated in a large shallow dish.

Thread the strips lengthwise, on the bamboo sticks, accordion-style. Allow marinating for about 30 minutes. If more convenient, you can also cover with plastic film and marinate for up to 7 hours. 

The skewered chicken is placed on a broiling pan.

To Broil: Place 3-4 inches from heat for approximately 6-8 minutes, turning once, until golden brown.

To Grill: Place on a medium-hot grill for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, turning once, until golden brown.

When ready to serve, place on a bed of shredded lettuce and garnish with a few lemon wedges and cherry tomatoes.

A platter of chicken brochettes.

Tips for Chicken skewers in the oven:

  • To prevent the wooden skewers from burning, soak them 30 minutes before skewering.
  • Use skewers that measure 8 or 10 inches.
  • Marinate for at least 30 minutes for maximum flavor.

What does Spiedini mean?

This simply refers to any food served on a skewer. Some other examples include lamb, beef, pork and of course Rome’s Spiedini alla Romana.

How do I know if the chicken is cooked?

The internal cooked temperature is 165° F (75° Celsius). If you do not have a thermometer, cut through the thickest part, if there is no pinkness to the meat, it is properly cooked.

Can you put wooden skewers in the oven?

Yes, but you must soak the wooden skewer for at least 30 minutes before baking or broiling. You can also wrap the ends of the wooden skewers with a piece of aluminum paper.

Can I marinate the chicken overnight?

Yes, but do not marinate for more than 7 hours.

Can I use chicken thighs for this recipe?

Yes, boneless thighs can be used.

Can I serve this for dinner?

Yes, serve this “chicken kebab” with a side salad and some wonderful greens like broccoli rabe. If you like dipping sauces, this Garlic Yogurt Sauce is a must! 

Quick and easy chicken recipes we love

  • Lemon Thyme Chicken Breasts 
  • Grilled Chicken
  • Baked Chicken Thighs 

A single chicken skewer on a bed of lettuce surrounded by lemon wedges.

Recipe origins

If you are familiar with Italian cuisine, you know about regional cooking.

As can be expected with Italy’s twenty regions, each one has its variations of this Italian recipe.

My mom’s version is with breadcrumbs. Stay tuned for that! 

A good friend of mine, Carlo, shared his recipe for this quick appetizer.

In his recipe, Carlo uses steak spice. I decided to replace that with my homemade Italian seasoning mix, which is nothing more than a combination of a few herbs and spices. 

Go ahead and use herbs and spices that you enjoy. This recipe is easily adaptable and comes together in no time at all.

Your friends and family are going to love it! 

THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

And if you are new here, welcome! You may want to sign up for my weekly e-mail newsletter. You can unsubscribe any time you want.

Ciao for now,

Maria 

★★★★★ If you have made this chicken spiedini recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

skewered pieces of chicken on wooden bamboo sticks.

Chicken Spiedini

Looking for easy finger food appetizers? This Chicken Spiedini is a no-fuss Italian appetizer that will quickly become your go-to party recipe!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 53 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 52kcal
Author: Maria Vannelli RD

Ingredients

  • 2-3 tablespoons white wine
  • 2-3 tablespoons oil vegetable or olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon rosemary dried
  • 1½ teaspoons oregano dried
  • 1½ teaspoons paprika or Cajun
  • juice of one lemon freshly squeezed
  • 2-3 cloves garlic sliced
  • 2 chicken breasts skinless, boneless, about 550 grams
  • extra paprika or cajun
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • In a large shallow dish, combine all the ingredients, except the chicken. Whisk together.
  • Slice chicken breasts in ¼ inch strips and place in the bowl with the marinade. If desired, you can also cut the chicken into cubes.
  • Thread the chicken strips lengthwise, on the bamboo sticks, accordion-style.
  • Cover and allow to marinate at room temperature for 30-60 minutes.
  • If desired, sprinkle with extra paprika or cajun spice.
  • To Broil: Using a broiling pan, place 3-4 inches from heat for approximately 6-8 minutes, turning once.
  • To Grill: Place on a medium-hot grill for approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
  • Serve immediately on a bed of shredded lettuce and garnish with a few lemon wedges and cherry tomatoes.
Scroll UP for the STEP by STEP PhotosDon't miss the process shots and videos included in most posts. Simply scroll up the post to find them. Those were created especially for you so that you can make the recipe perfectly every single time you try it.

Notes

  • The nutritional information is calculated per chicken skewer.
  • To prevent the wooden skewers from burning, soak them 30 minutes prior to skewering.
  • Use skewers that measure 8 or 10 inches.
  • Marinate for at least 30 minutes for maximum flavor.
  • Total prep time includes marinating the chicken for 30 minutes.
What does Spiedini mean? It simply refers to any food served on a skewer. Some other examples include lamb, beef, pork, and of course Rome's Spiedini alla Romana.
How do I know if the chicken is cooked? The internal cooked temperature is 165° F (75° Celsius). If you do not have a thermometer, cut through the thickest part, if there is no pinkness to the meat, it is properly cooked.
Can you put wooden skewers in oven? Yes, but you must soak the wooden skewer for at least 30 minutes prior to baking or broiling. You can also wrap the ends of the wooden skewers with a piece of aluminum paper.
Can I marinate the chicken overnight? Yes, but do not marinate for more than 7 hours.
Can I serve this for dinner? Yes, serve this "kebab" with a side salad and some wonderful greens like broccoli rabe. If you like dipping sauces, this Garlic Yogurt Sauce is a must! 
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 33mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 113IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @shelovesbiscotti or tag #shelovesbiscotti!

Appetizers, Main Dishes

About Maria

Maria Vannelli is a registered dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments.

Comments

  1. Lucy says

    August 16, 2020 at 17:05

    5 stars
    Made these for lunch today. Packed with flavor!

    Reply
    • Maria says

      August 17, 2020 at 15:30

      Fantastic Lucy! Thanks for sharing!!!

      Reply
  2. Lucy says

    July 10, 2020 at 04:51

    5 stars
    WOW! These were amazing. So tasty and yummy! I’ll have these again for sure.

    Reply
    • Maria says

      July 10, 2020 at 08:40

      Thanks so much for taking the time to share, appreciate it Lucy!

      Reply
  3. Margaret says

    June 21, 2020 at 13:35

    5 stars
    Hi Maria:

    I love this recipe. Full of flavor and easy to make. I used chicken tenders instead of the full boneless breast since they are already the perfect skewering size. As a time saver I skewered them the night before and made the marinade. The next morning I added the marinade and put them in the fridge for a few hours before broiling. This will definitely be placed on the recipe rotation. Excellent!

    Margaret

    Reply
    • Maria says

      June 22, 2020 at 06:23

      I love this idea! Thanks so much for sharing Margaret!

      Reply
  4. Diane says

    March 6, 2020 at 13:48

    5 stars
    These Chicken Spiedini
    Mama Mia😘 fantastico.
    Look great served on the bamboo skewers, great mouth watering aroma and, taste even better. Thanks for great recipes.

    Reply
    • Maria says

      March 10, 2020 at 16:19

      My pleasure Diane! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  5. Val says

    October 20, 2019 at 15:17

    5 stars
    These chicken spiedini are the best!!!

    Reply
    • Maria says

      October 20, 2019 at 21:34

      Thanks so much Val! Glad you are enjoying them. Thanks for taking the time to comment, appreciate it.

      Reply

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Hello and Welcome to She Loves Biscotti!
I'm Maria: dietitian and full time content creator. Join me as I share traditional Italian recipes from my youth, to modern twists on classics using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

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