City chicken is a nostalgic dish that brings a taste of the past to your dinner table. Despite its name, this recipe doesn't actually contain chicken. Instead, it features tender pork cubes that are breaded, fried, and baked to perfection. This dish is perfect for family gatherings or a comforting weeknight meal.
While most of the ingredients for city chicken are common pantry staples, you might need to pick up pork if it's not something you usually have on hand. Make sure to get it cubed or ask your butcher to do it for you. Additionally, ensure you have skewers for threading the pork, as these are essential for the traditional presentation of the dish.
Ingredients For City Chicken Recipe
Pork: The main protein in this dish, cut into cubes for easy skewering.
Breadcrumbs: Used to coat the pork, giving it a crispy texture when fried.
Eggs: Beaten to help the breadcrumbs adhere to the pork.
Flour: The first layer of coating for the pork, which helps the eggs stick.
Salt: Enhances the flavor of the pork.
Black pepper: Adds a bit of spice and depth to the dish.
Vegetable oil: Used for frying the skewers until they are golden brown.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When threading the pork onto skewers, make sure to leave a little space between each piece. This allows the heat to circulate evenly around the meat, ensuring that it cooks thoroughly and achieves a uniform golden brown color when frying.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
pork - Substitute with chicken breast: Chicken breast is a lean meat that can mimic the texture and flavor of pork when cubed and cooked.
breadcrumbs - Substitute with crushed cornflakes: Crushed cornflakes provide a similar crunchy texture and can be a gluten-free alternative.
beaten eggs - Substitute with buttermilk: Buttermilk can help the breadcrumbs adhere to the meat and adds a slight tangy flavor.
flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch can be used as a coating to achieve a crispy texture and is also gluten-free.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a similar salty flavor along with a bit of umami.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat and flavor profile but is milder and less visually noticeable.
vegetable oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a high smoke point and neutral flavor, making it suitable for frying.
Other Alternative Recipes
How to Store / Freeze This Dish
- Allow the city chicken to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the breadcrumbs soggy.
- Place the cooled skewers in an airtight container. If stacking, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, consider freezing.
- To freeze, wrap each skewer individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures they remain separate and easy to thaw individually.
- Place the wrapped skewers in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
- When ready to enjoy, thaw the city chicken in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. This helps maintain the crispy texture of the breadcrumbs.
- Alternatively, reheat in a microwave on medium power, but note that this may result in a less crispy exterior.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover City Chicken on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Cover the skewers loosely with another piece of foil to prevent them from drying out. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
For a quicker method, use a microwave. Place the City Chicken on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
If you prefer a crispy texture, reheat in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the City Chicken skewers in the basket, ensuring they are not touching. Heat for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even crispiness.
For stovetop reheating, add a small amount of vegetable oil to a skillet over medium heat. Place the City Chicken skewers in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally until warmed through.
If you have a steamer, this method will keep the City Chicken moist. Place the skewers in the steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes or until heated through.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the skewers after frying, ensuring they are cooked through.
Skewers: Used to thread the cubed pork, making it easier to handle and cook evenly.
Frying pan: Used to fry the skewered pork until golden brown on all sides.
Baking dish: Used to transfer the fried skewers into the oven for baking.
Mixing bowls: Used to hold the flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs for dredging and coating the pork.
Tongs: Used to handle the skewers while frying and transferring them to the baking dish.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the flour, breadcrumbs, and vegetable oil accurately.
Whisk: Used to beat the eggs until they are well combined.
Paper towels: Used to drain excess oil from the fried skewers before baking.
Knife: Used to cube the pork into even pieces for threading onto the skewers.
Cutting board: Used as a surface for cubing the pork.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Cube the pork and prepare the breadcrumbs, flour, and beaten eggs ahead of time to streamline the cooking process.
Use an assembly line: Set up a station with flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs in sequence to quickly coat the pork skewers.
Preheat the oven: Start preheating your oven while you prepare the skewers to save time.
Batch frying: Fry multiple skewers at once in a large frying pan to reduce cooking time.
Use a thermometer: Ensure the oil is at the right temperature for frying to achieve a golden brown crust quickly.
City Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Pork, cubed
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs
- 2 pcs Eggs beaten
- 1 cup Flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 cup Vegetable Oil for frying
Instructions
- 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- 2. Thread the cubed pork onto skewers.
- 3. Dredge the skewered pork in flour, then dip in beaten eggs, and coat with breadcrumbs.
- 4. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the skewers until golden brown on all sides.
- 5. Transfer the fried skewers to a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- 6. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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