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!
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!
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.
Allow me to show you…
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have made this Italian food appetizer, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Chicken Spiedini
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
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.
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.
Lucy says
WOW! These were amazing. So tasty and yummy! I’ll have these again for sure.
Maria says
Thanks so much for taking the time to share, appreciate it Lucy!
Margaret says
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
Maria says
I love this idea! Thanks so much for sharing Margaret!
Diane says
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.
Maria says
My pleasure Diane! Thanks for stopping by!
Val says
These chicken spiedini are the best!!!
Maria says
Thanks so much Val! Glad you are enjoying them. Thanks for taking the time to comment, appreciate it.