If you’re a fan of traditional American cuisine, you’ve probably heard of pork city chicken. This classic dish is a Midwest favorite, typically made with a combination of pork and chicken. Despite its name, there is no actual chicken involved in the recipe. It gets its name from the way the pork is prepared to resemble a drumstick. City chicken has a crispy outer coating and a juicy, flavorful interior, making it a crowd-pleasing choice for any occasion.
While city chicken can be found in many grocery stores in the Midwest, it’s surprisingly easy to make at home. The key to a delicious city chicken is choosing the right cuts of meat and getting the cooking method just right. Typically, pork cubes are skewered on wooden sticks, coated in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture, and then fried to perfection. The end result is a dish that is golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender and moist on the inside.
One important thing to note when making city chicken is that the meat needs to be cooked thoroughly to ensure food safety. The internal temperature of the pork should reach 145°F (63°C) to be considered safe to eat.
Whether you’re looking to recreate a nostalgic childhood favorite or try a new dish, cooking pork city chicken is a worthwhile endeavor. It’s a versatile recipe that can be served as an appetizer, a main course, or even a snack. So, grab your apron and wooden skewers, and let’s get cooking!
Step-by-step guide to cook delicious pork city chicken
If you’re looking for a delicious and easy-to-make meal, pork city chicken is a great option. This recipe combines juicy pork with the flavors of chicken, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish that will leave everyone wanting more. Follow this step-by-step guide to cook your very own pork city chicken.
- Preparation
- 4 boneless pork chops
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- Breading the pork chops
- Cooking the pork city chicken
- Serving
- Enjoy!
Start by gathering all the ingredients you’ll need:
In a shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, dried parsley, dried basil, salt, and black pepper.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
Dip each pork chop into the egg mixture, making sure it’s fully coated.
Then, dip the pork chop into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs into the meat to ensure they stick.
In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
Add the breaded pork chops to the skillet and cook for about 4-6 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Once the pork city chicken is cooked, transfer it to a serving platter and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Feel free to serve it with your favorite side dishes, such as mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
Now, sit back and enjoy your delicious homemade pork city chicken. The combination of tender pork and flavorful breading will surely satisfy your taste buds.
Choose the right cut of pork
When making pork city chicken, it’s important to choose the right cut of pork to ensure the best flavor and texture. Here are some popular cuts of pork that work well for this dish:
Pork tenderloin
Pork tenderloin is a lean and tender cut of meat that is perfect for pork city chicken. It has a mild flavor and cooks quickly, making it an excellent choice for this recipe.
Pork loin
Pork loin is a versatile cut that can be used for various dishes, including pork city chicken. It has a bit more fat than tenderloin, which helps keep the meat juicy and flavorful during cooking.
When choosing pork loin, look for one with a good amount of marbling, as this will add extra moisture and taste to the dish.
Whether you choose pork tenderloin or pork loin, make sure to trim off any excess fat or silver skin before cooking. This will help prevent the meat from becoming tough or chewy.
Tip: If you prefer a leaner option, you can also use boneless pork chops for pork city chicken. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as chops will cook faster than whole cuts of pork.
Remember, the key to a delicious pork city chicken is using a cut of pork that is moist and flavorful. By choosing the right cut, you’ll ensure that your dish turns out tender and juicy every time.
Marinate the pork for maximum flavor
Marinating the pork is an essential step in creating delicious city chicken. The marinade not only enhances the flavor of the meat, but it also helps to tenderize it, making it juicy and succulent. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to marinate the pork for maximum flavor:
- Choose your marinade: There are many different marinade options available for city chicken, such as BBQ sauce, teriyaki sauce, or a combination of herbs and spices. Select a marinade that complements your taste preferences.
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine the marinade ingredients, such as soy sauce, garlic, onion powder, olive oil, and any other desired spices or seasonings. Stir well to ensure that all the flavors are incorporated.
- Marinate the pork: Place the pork pieces in a zip-lock bag or a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Make sure that the pork is evenly coated with the marinade. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Flip the pork: If marinating in a dish, flip the pork pieces halfway through the marinating time to ensure even distribution of the flavors.
- Remove the pork from the marinade: Once the pork has marinated for the desired time, remove it from the marinade. Discard any remaining marinade as it may contain raw meat juices.
Now that your pork is marinated, it is ready to be cooked into delicious city chicken. Remember to follow the recipe instructions for cooking time and temperature to ensure that the pork is cooked thoroughly.
Prepare the coating mixture
To make the perfect coating for your pork city chicken, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
In a shallow dish, mix together the breadcrumbs, flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well, making sure all the ingredients are evenly combined.
After mixing the dry ingredients, you can also add some additional seasonings according to your preference. For example, you can add dried herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra flavor.
Adjust the seasoning to taste by adding more salt and pepper if desired.
Once you have prepared the coating mixture, it is ready to be used to coat your pork city chicken before frying.
Continue to the next section to learn how to coat the pork city chicken and cook it to perfection.
Coat the marinated pork in the mixture
After marinating the pork in your desired marinade for at least an hour, it’s time to coat it in the breading mixture to give it a crispy and flavorful crust.
Ingredients
2 cups breadcrumbs |
1 tsp salt |
1 tsp black pepper |
1 tsp paprika |
1/2 tsp garlic powder |
1/2 tsp onion powder |
1. In a shallow dish or plate, combine the breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well to ensure that the spices are evenly distributed.
2. Take a piece of marinated pork and coat it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure that the breadcrumbs adhere to the meat.
3. Repeat the process for the remaining pieces of pork, making sure that each piece is thoroughly coated.
4. Place the coated pork on a baking sheet or plate and set aside.
Now that your pork is coated in the breading mixture, it’s ready to be cooked. Whether you choose to fry it or bake it, you’ll end up with delicious and tender city chicken that is sure to please your taste buds.
Fry or bake the pork city chicken
To cook the pork city chicken, you have the option to either fry it or bake it in the oven. Both methods result in delicious and crispy pork city chicken.
Frying method:
1. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add enough cooking oil to cover the bottom.
2. Place the pork city chicken in the hot oil and fry each side for about 4-5 minutes or until golden brown.
3. Use tongs to carefully flip the chicken to the other side and continue frying until fully cooked.
4. Once cooked, remove the pork city chicken from the pan and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
5. Serve the fried pork city chicken hot and enjoy!
Baking method:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place the pork city chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or greased with cooking spray.
3. Bake the chicken for about 25-30 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
4. Once cooked, remove the pork city chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
5. Serve the baked pork city chicken warm and enjoy!
Note: Whichever method you choose, make sure the pork city chicken is fully cooked and reaches the recommended internal temperature to ensure it is safe to eat.
FAQ
What is city chicken?
City chicken is a dish made with skewered pieces of meat that resemble chicken drumsticks. However, the meat used in city chicken is not chicken; it is typically pork or veal.
Can I use chicken instead of pork or veal?
Yes, you can use chicken instead of pork or veal to make city chicken. However, keep in mind that the traditional city chicken recipe calls for pork or veal, so the taste and texture may be different if you use chicken.
What are the ingredients needed to make pork city chicken?
The ingredients needed to make pork city chicken are pork cubes or veal cubes, breadcrumbs, eggs, salt, pepper, vegetable oil, and wooden skewers.
Can I bake pork city chicken instead of frying?
Yes, you can bake pork city chicken instead of frying. To bake it, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), place the skewers on a baking sheet, and cook for about 25-30 minutes or until the meat is cooked through.
What can I serve with pork city chicken?
You can serve pork city chicken with various side dishes such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, coleslaw, or a fresh salad. It pairs well with a variety of sauces or dips, such as barbecue sauce or honey mustard.
What is city chicken made of?
City chicken is actually not made from chicken at all. It is a dish made of cubes of pork or veal that are skewered on a stick and breaded before being fried or baked.
Can I use chicken instead of pork or veal?
Although the name suggests chicken, city chicken is traditionally made with pork or veal. However, you can experiment with using chicken if you prefer. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as chicken tends to cook faster than pork or veal.