My mom’s city chicken was a family favorite growing up. It’s an easy to make weeknight meal.
You might also like my mom’s unforgettable lasagna!
I grew up eating city chicken a lot as a child and never once did I wonder why it was called that seeing as there’s no chicken involved. Recently my father in law, who used to be a butcher, explained it all to me. Back in the day chicken was more expensive than pork and veal so people made city chicken. So it is essentially cubes of pork and veal on a stick that is breaded to act as chicken.
He’s a big fan so when I had to come up with a regional food to make for this weeks Sunday Supper, my mom’s city chicken was my first choice. Actually it was my third but I wanted to make it for my father in law and I think you are really going to love it.
type of meat to use in City Chicken
True city chicken is usually made with pork and veal. However sometimes I just use pork because it’s cheaper and easier to find. However today I stopped by a great local butcher, Lampert’s, that my friend had told me about. They had great cuts of meat and lots of delicious looking prepared food.
And there in the case was my city chicken already cut and placed on wooden skewers as you can see below. Many grocers in the area carry city chicken packs with skewers and chunks of pork and veal ready for you to assemble.
How to make city chicken
City chicken is made many different ways but the way my mom makes it is to dip it in egg and then seasoned bread crumbs. Brown them in a skillet like this and finally bake them until they are cooked. If you read the comments below you will see LOTS of ways other people make it and hear about some of their fond memories of this delicious dish.
The final result is a tasty breaded pork and veal chop on a stick. I did make a bit of gravy at the end with the pan drippings but my mother never really did and my father in law doesn’t like it that way so normally I would not bother to do that.
Mom’s City Chicken
As they say, pork is the other white meat. You can see above how it does look like breaded chicken. And there you have my mom’s city chicken. It is a nice and easy weekday meal that I’m sure your family will love. At least that’s how we do it in the ‘burgh. Enjoy!
PS Please read through the comments below. I guess city chicken is a beloved recipe of people in this are and many people have variations on the recipe that you may remember or enjoy. And if you have any questions, please just ask.
Mom's City Chicken #SundaySupper
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs of city chicken pork and veal cut in cubes
- salt and pepper
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 cup of seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
- 2 Tablespoons of Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup olive or vegetable oil
- For gravy
- 1/2 cup broth chicken or beef
- 1-2 Tablespoons of flour
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Add your eggs to a shallow bowl and beat
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In a separate bowl add your breadcrumbs, paprika and Parmesan cheese.
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If your pork and veal are not already placed on skewers, do so by alternating pork and veal pieces.
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Sprinkle meat with salt and pepper.
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Dip the skewered meat in the egg and then the bread crumbs. Set aside and finish the rest of the meat.
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Heat your skillet to medium high and once hot, add your oil.
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Once the oil is hot, place your meat in the pan and turn the skillet down to medium. Brown skewered meat on all sides. About 2-3 minutes on each side.
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Once the meat is browned, place in a baking dish and cover with aluminum.
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Bake for 20 minutes or until the pork is no longer pink inside.
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To make the gravy turn the skillet on to medium heat.
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Add the broth to the skillet and break up all the browned bits.
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Add the flour a little at a time and whisk well so there are no lumps.
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Pour over cooked meat. (this did not make much gravy for me but it was tasty.)
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And now for some more regional favorites from my friends at Sunday Supper!
Georgana
July 2, 2019 at 11:31 amMy husband grew up eating this in Michigan and Indiana. I’m so glad his mom taught me how to make it.
Denise
July 2, 2019 at 1:53 pmIt’s crazy to me how many people grew up eating this.
Claudette French
March 11, 2019 at 11:01 amI have never eaten this before and I am going to try making it again .I say again because When I was 18 I made this for my new husband and sadly it turned out horrible , I was very disappointed and never tried it again. I am now 72 and will try it again . Wish me luck
Daria Sprague
May 4, 2019 at 10:20 pmClaudette, I am sure your new attempt will turn out amazing! My mouth was watering reading the recipe. Good luck!
Daria Sprague
Michael Schneider
March 6, 2019 at 9:44 amCan this recipe be made in an instant pot?
Denise
March 7, 2019 at 7:51 amHi Michael, I don’t know. I think it would not have any crunch or crust and that really makes the dish in my opinion. Sorry I’m not much help.
Suzanne
January 29, 2019 at 12:25 pmMy Mom made this all the time with six kids to feed, she would serve with her sweet sour cabbage… They were so good, my mouth is watering…
Denise
January 30, 2019 at 1:41 pmHi Suzanne, I like the idea of sweet and sour cabbage. I can see how that would be so good with City Chicken.
Michelle
December 20, 2018 at 4:33 pmI’ve got my meat coated and ready in the refrigerator to brown up. I didn’t grow up eating City Chicken, but my husband did (near Buffalo, NY). It was always his choice when he got to pick what was for dinner on his birthday. He says his mom used saltine crumbs for the breading and used a little poultry seasoning.
Denise
December 21, 2018 at 8:37 amOh that sounds like a good idea. I’ll have to redo this recipe and take new pictures. I’m always surprised at how many people have fond memories of this dish!
Anthony Morton
December 17, 2018 at 1:40 pmCity chicken, mashed potatoes and corn were a regular Sunday dinner growing up in Detroit. Nowadays, city chicken is something of a special treat, especially as the older generation is dying and small, family-owned restaurants are losing out to the fast-food chains. You can still get Polish treats in one of Detroit’s suburbs, Hamtramck, but then again, it is becoming a thing of the past as urban blight takes over and it becomes too dangerous to make a trip “just for” Polish food. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Trent okerblom
March 10, 2019 at 1:40 pmTry Three Brothers Restaurant in Plymouth Mi. They have good city chicken.
Daren
October 15, 2018 at 1:55 pmI like to use Panko rather than breadcrums.
Denise
October 16, 2018 at 4:34 pmHi Daren, I’ll have to try that some time. Thanks for sharing!
valerie potash
October 15, 2018 at 11:34 amThank you for the recipe and explanation. I remember my mom making a huge pan of city chicken. I thought it was pork and veal but I questioned my memory because of the cost of veal.now… we were not wealthy and she often stretched her grocery dollar to feed 7 of us. I still have her “sticks” so I’m going to make these for our next family gathering.
Denise
October 15, 2018 at 11:42 amIt’s really a simple dish but I’m always surprised how many people grew up with it! Hope you like it….check out other peoples comments about their versions as they are very interesting.
Frank
September 29, 2018 at 8:42 amI also grew up in Warren Ohio and this dish was a staple in our house but with a twist. My mom would add sections of carrots into the covered baking dish to cook with the city chicken along with a little chick n stock to keep things moist.
Denise
September 30, 2018 at 7:01 pmHi Frank,
Great idea! I’ll have to try that next time. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Pat
September 11, 2018 at 3:18 pmI loved city chicken growing up! My grandma and mom would use crushed saltine crackers instead of breadcrumbs. Now living in California i must find a butcher that carries veal!
Denise
September 11, 2018 at 5:17 pmHi Pat, thanks for sharing your tip! Good luck in your veal search. We just pork most of the time.
Tom McInerney
September 2, 2018 at 3:09 pmIm going to try this tomorrow, for anything I make breading for I always use half bread crums, half Ritz Crakers, BUT make sure you cut way back on any salt you put in the recipe……I dont add any at all!
Denise
September 3, 2018 at 7:46 amHi Tom,
I just love Ritz crackers for some reason so I can see why that would be really tasty. Thanks for giving us your tips!
Susan K.
August 5, 2018 at 6:20 pmI shop at Marc’s here in Cleveland and this week I was surprised to see City Chicken in the meat case. (So of course it’s now in my oven) Always been a favorite of this Uniontown Pa. girl. One of the oldest recipes in our slovak family. Grandma never put parmesan cheese in it tho.
Denise
August 6, 2018 at 8:05 amHi Susan,
I’m seeing that many people make this recipe and in so many different ways. I need to make it again myself! Thanks for stopping by.
Clifford Blackburn
July 30, 2018 at 12:07 amHobby Lobby usually has them
Gabrielle
July 6, 2018 at 8:10 pmThis is a favourite of our family as well. My Greek grandmother has made it her own and we marinade the skewers in lemon, oregano, and salt and pepper before dipping in flour, egg wash and flour again. So delicious!
Denise
July 7, 2018 at 9:21 amWhat an awesome idea! I love the marinade flavors.
Kay
July 1, 2018 at 3:40 pmI grew up in Conneaut, Ohio and we often had city chicken. Reading the comments it appears as though this is a regional dish, something I didn’t realize!
Denise
July 3, 2018 at 3:03 pmKay, I am still amazed that I get so many people coming to this recipe. It was just one my mother made and I didn’t think much of it. Apparently it’s a regional favorite. Thanks for stopping by!
Lynn Mac
October 19, 2018 at 6:02 pmHi Kay – I grew up in Dorset and currently live in Ashtabula. What a small world!
Spotted a package of city chicken at Giant Eagle the other day and wanted to make it for dinner tonight.
Couldn’t remember how long to cook it so ended up here.
Have a great night, neighbor. LOL
Laurie
March 27, 2018 at 8:23 amMy grandmother used to make this fairly often when I was a kid. I know that she used to buy city chicken at the A&P ( which closed when I was in middle school). This was in Louisville, KY. She cooked it much like this recipe, but used seasoned flour instead of breadcrumbs.
Denise
March 27, 2018 at 5:49 pmHi Laurie,
It’s amazing how many people have had this recipe yet so many do not know about it. That’s interesting that your
Grandma used seasoned flour. I’ll have to try that next time. Thanks for commenting!
Mary Ann Summers
March 23, 2018 at 10:45 amThank you so much, I was telling my husband about it. I grew up in NE PA and the butcher prepared them. On occasion, since the family was large, mom would use. Ground pork, veal & beef and prepare it the same way. Didn’t know why it was called city chicken
Denise
March 24, 2018 at 7:35 amHi Mary Ann, I never realized this was such a lesser known recipe. I just posted it years ago because I remembered my mom making it and my in laws used to eat it too. It’s an oldie but goodie! Thanks for stopping by!
Bonnie
March 6, 2018 at 10:17 amMy dad used to make this but we called it mock chicken legs he would also smother it in mushroom gravy made with Campbell’s chicken soup. Mmmm I loved this meal served with mashed potatoes and pickled beets. Funny how it can about because it was cheaper than chicken and now it’s more expensive than chicken. Dad would first fry them up for colour and then pressure cook them. They were so tender!
Denise
March 6, 2018 at 1:51 pmThat sounds really good Bonnie! I’ll have to try it with the mushroom gravy and in the pressure cooker.
Janet
December 11, 2017 at 6:02 pmI too grew up with City Chicken with veal and pork. I don’t eat veal but pork and chicken is just as good. Thanks for the great recipe. I kind of forgot out this tasty dish.
Denise
December 13, 2017 at 1:11 pmI know, I forgot about it too until my father in law mentioned it.
Audrey Tolley
October 5, 2017 at 3:30 pmThis was one of my favorites that my grandmother used to make. She used pork and beef as a lot of us didn’t like veal. We also use cornflake crumbs seasoned , mixed with flour. The drippings make a great gravy. We are from Michigan.
Denise
October 6, 2017 at 8:56 amHi Audrey, thanks for taking the time to comment! We also didn’t like veal that much so my mom did the same. I’ll have to try the cornflake crumbs next time!
Victoria
June 1, 2017 at 6:26 pmI was looking for something to serve with Haluski. I think this will be perfect. My son had Haluski at a street fair and loved it. We decided to try it at home. For the City Chicken I only bought pork, and have trimmed, cubes and skewered them for tomorrow night dinner.
Denise
June 4, 2017 at 8:00 amI hope you like them Victoria! It’s a family favorite of ours.
Christopher Macchione
May 7, 2017 at 12:06 amA Cleveland area tradition!
Denise
May 8, 2017 at 7:52 amI didn’t know that!
Georgette
April 1, 2018 at 6:02 pmAbsolutely! We love our city chicken in Cleveland. I make mine almost the same way. It’s so easy to get pork and veal here. And of course the sticks!
Denise
April 3, 2018 at 7:13 amHi Georgette! I’m surprised about how much people remember this recipe.
Molly Pruitt
September 9, 2018 at 2:14 pmMy mom grew up in the Cleveland area and this was a staple growing up. I just moved to NE Ohio and found City Chicken in the local market. Can’t wait to bring back memories.
Denise
September 10, 2018 at 9:13 amHi Molly,
I am constantly shocked at how much people love city chicken but love the good memories it brings and the stories people write in about it. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Ginger Phillips
December 10, 2016 at 9:42 ammy husband grew up in Ohio and on City Chicken. Living in Texas, it’s difficult to find the sticks. Bamboo skewers tend to splinter. Do you know where I could order the sticks from. I know my mother-in-law could get them from her butcher in Ohio.
Clifford Blackburn
July 30, 2018 at 12:03 amHobby Lobby usually has them
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook
May 31, 2016 at 12:15 amWhat a great history with your recipe, I love it.
Denise
May 31, 2016 at 11:02 amThanks Lauren and thanks for stopping by!
Renee
April 28, 2016 at 10:31 amI love the title of the recipe and the history of why it is called City Chicken. Oh, and great photos.
Eileen
April 27, 2016 at 8:39 pmWho knew that City Chicken is pork? Even better. Like a breaded pork chop on a stick, yum.
Cindy
April 27, 2016 at 5:58 amI never made pork this way, it sounds delicious!
Denise
April 27, 2016 at 9:46 amThanks for stopping Cindy. I hope you like it!
Sara
April 25, 2016 at 7:33 pmI love learning the stories behind dishes! How fun and it looks delicious!
Denise
April 27, 2016 at 9:46 amThanks Sara.
Wendy @ Wholistic Woman
April 25, 2016 at 5:20 pmIt looks great, and so much more special because it’s from your mom.
Denise
April 25, 2016 at 7:07 pmThat it is. I was looking at her recipes yesterday and it brought me to tears.
Monica
April 25, 2016 at 10:00 amI went to college near Pittsburgh and remember this fondly. I’ve never attempted to make it at m=home. Your recipe looks wonderful – it’s time to try it!
Denise
April 25, 2016 at 12:24 pmGreat! I hope you like it Monica.
Susan Gates
April 24, 2016 at 10:14 pmYou forgot to say what city, what time period, etc. This could be a good story. Were these leftover scraps of pork and veal that were skewered so they looked like a chop or a breast?
Denise
April 25, 2016 at 6:45 amVery good point! I’ll have to quiz my father in law and see what he says. Thanks for stopping by!
Keith @ How's it Lookin?
April 24, 2016 at 10:13 pmLooks so good. Breaded chicken is always a tasty dish, thanks a lot
Karen
July 30, 2016 at 3:46 pmIt’s not chicken though…it’s pork and veal…they started calling it city chicken because back in the day chicken was more expensive than pork…so they used pork and veal instead and called it city chicken.
Renee @ReneesKitchenAdventures
April 24, 2016 at 9:32 pmWe do City Chicken up here in NE Ohio too! In fact, it’s one of my specialties! My recipe is very similar to yours, but I love it with gravy. I usually only do pork and assemble it myself, like you said, most grocers carry packs with the meat cubes and sticks or you can buy pork sirloin roast when it’s on sale and cube it yourself. Just ask the butcher for the sticks! This is one of my all time favorite comfort foods ever. YUM!
Denise
April 25, 2016 at 6:47 amThanks Renee, I will try that next time with the pork roast. I probably have a million wooden skewers in my kitchen as I tend to collect things like that. The gravy was good to me, though I never grew up with it.
Ginger Phillips
December 10, 2016 at 9:50 ammy husband grew up in Warren, Ohio.. I wish I could find the stick here in Plano, TX. The bamboo skewers tend to splinter. I would make city chicken in a heartbeat, if I could find the sticks. Any suggestions?
Denise
December 15, 2016 at 2:48 pmHi Ginger,
I just use the bamboo sticks you can buy in the grocery store. They seem to work for me. Maybe someone else will chime in with some help? Thanks for stopping by and good luck!
Rolla
January 19, 2018 at 11:15 pmYou need to soak your bamboo stick in hot water before using them. It makes them sort and pliable and they don’t break or splinter.
Rolla
January 19, 2018 at 11:17 pmUggghhh SOFT and pliable!
Carole Walton
May 12, 2018 at 5:24 pmMy husband also grew up in Warren, Ohio. We now live in California. Mom always floured each city chicken before egg wash and bread crumbs. You can get the sticks at any hobby store, like Michaels or Joann’s. I love our City Chicken! I thought it was called that because you don’t see chickens running around in the city!
Denise
May 13, 2018 at 6:48 amCarole, thanks for the tips!
Christie
April 24, 2016 at 8:50 pmThis looks SO GOOD!! Any meat on a stick is delicious in my book, but I can’t wait to try this recipe. Seriously….
Denise
April 25, 2016 at 6:48 amThanks for stopping by Christie, I agree any meat on a stick! haha….or anything in a cup or jar.:)
Rachel
April 24, 2016 at 5:07 pmThere’s no way I’d find that out here in South Dakota, but my dad would make it all the time when I was growing up. Makes me miss it! I might just have to figure out what cuts of pork are used in it, get some skewers, and make it myself!
Denise
April 25, 2016 at 6:49 amHi Rachel, Renee suggested a pork sirloin roast. I hope you get to make it and think of your dad.
Hezzi-D
April 24, 2016 at 4:30 pmInteresting. I’ve never heard of this but it sounds really good and really easy.
Denise
April 24, 2016 at 4:45 pmIt is easy and it is good too! I hope you get to try it and like it.
Lori
May 4, 2016 at 7:21 pmI made this years ago. Have not had it for more than 30 years. Thank you for reminding me.
now I will make it this week. I love it. I also like a little gravy.
Denise
May 5, 2016 at 6:53 amI know….it’s an oldie but a goodie!
Nettie
April 24, 2016 at 12:27 pmLooks incredible! I have to try it! Nettie
Denise
April 24, 2016 at 4:48 pmThanks for stopping by Nettie. My father in law really liked it.
Jodi
June 26, 2018 at 1:37 pmTry making this with rye bread crumbs…really good served with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes.
Denise
June 26, 2018 at 7:38 pmOh that sounds wonderful!
Deanna
April 24, 2016 at 10:54 amI grew up with this too. It funny to see people reaction whe you tell them city chicken and they find out it isnt chicken LOL!
Denise
April 24, 2016 at 4:51 pmI know….I was just thinking the other day how I never thought it was weird that we called it city chicken and it was pork!
Sally Gooch
July 20, 2017 at 12:21 pmI bought city chicken at Lamperts today but couldn’t remember how long to bake it. Thank you for the recipe!
Denise
July 21, 2017 at 5:03 pmYou are so welcome! Thanks for commenting!
greg
August 5, 2018 at 7:51 pmYou should top with sliced onion and garlic before going in the oven, better flavor.
Denise
August 6, 2018 at 8:01 amthat sounds delicious!
Carol
October 15, 2017 at 3:34 pmLove Lamperts
Carol
October 15, 2017 at 3:36 pmThis is pretty much the recipe I have used for years. Was just looking to see if there was some way different. Thanks for sharing.
Denise
October 16, 2017 at 7:17 amThat’s all I’ve heard but maybe someone else is comment with a different way? Thanks for stopping by!
Denise
October 16, 2017 at 7:18 amYes! I’m new to the place but it’s so great and so close to me!
Loretta
January 17, 2019 at 4:55 pmHope I’m not disappointing you but City Chicken is not only pork but also veal. My father owned a meat market/smoke house in Detroit back in the day and I was called the “City Chicken Queen” as I would skewer the cubed meat onto the skewers. Mom always used Bisquick instead of bread crumbs, no egg wash just the water from when she rinsed them down, heat up some vegie oil, brown on all sides, put the top on and simmer for 20 minutes. I have tried your recipe of browning on all sides and then putting in baking dish with foil and continue to get them done in the over. Wonderful suggestion as Mom’s city chicken was great and tender as long as she simmered it long enough in the pan (with the top on) on the stove.
Enjoy everyone!!! Also, if you see it try Mock Chicken..,,,,,ground pork/veal breaded with bread crumbs on a skewer, brown in oil in a pan……..delish!
Denise
January 18, 2019 at 7:17 amHi Loretta, yes they still sell city chicken here in Pittsburgh with both pork and veal. I don’t have a taste for veal and it’s often expensive so I don’t usually buy it but I’m sure many do. Thanks for your suggestions….I can’t wait to try the Mock Chicken!
Lisa
January 23, 2019 at 6:41 pmI made this recipe tonite..it was delicious! With mashed potatoes..yum
Denise
January 24, 2019 at 6:14 amHi Lisa,
So glad you liked it!!
Clifford Blackburn
July 30, 2018 at 12:27 amI grew up with city chicken it was made from whatever meat that was on sale. There was 7 kids and 3 adults to feed and money was always an issue so mom would improvise the different meats. When we went to the butcher shop they would sell her scraps and she would make city chicken from it. We loved it I even seen her use ground pork and ground beef. She would make meat balls and do it with them