Cody Casey
City chicken is a dish that traditionally uses pork and veal cubes, but can also be made with all pork. The meat is skewered, breaded, deep-fried, and then baked to resemble fried chicken. The dish is said to have originated as a more economical substitute for fried chicken, as chicken was more expensive than pork. It can be cooked in a crock pot, a skillet, or an air fryer, and is often served with gravy and mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, or mixed vegetables.
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the pork cubes
City chicken is a dish that is not actually made with chicken at all. Instead, it is made with pork tenderloin, which is breaded and fried to golden brown perfection. The dish is said to taste like chicken drumsticks, hence the nickname "mock drumsticks". The pork can be substituted with veal or a combination of the two.
To prepare the pork cubes, start by cutting about 2.5 pounds of pork loin into 1-inch cubes. You can also use pork tenderloin, which is easier to cut when very cold or half-frozen. Once you have your pork cubes, season them with salt, pepper, and seasoned salt. You can also try using garlic powder and onion powder for extra flavour.
Next, prepare three bowls: one with 2 cups of all-purpose flour, seasoned with salt and pepper; another with 2 lightly beaten eggs; and the third with 2 cups of seasoned breadcrumbs. You can use Italian seasoned Panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs. You can also substitute the breadcrumbs with saltine cracker crumbs.
Now, it's time to coat the pork cubes. First, dredge the pork cubes in the flour, making sure to coat all sides. Then, dip the floured pork cubes in the egg, followed by the breadcrumbs. Make sure the pork is well-coated after each step. For an extra crispy coating, repeat this process for a second, third, or even fourth time!
Finally, heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the coated pork cubes to the hot oil and fry until they are golden brown on all sides. This step will give the breadcrumbs a nice crunchy texture.
And there you have it! Your pork cubes are now ready to be skewered and baked or placed in a crock pot to become delicious city chicken!
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Make the egg wash
To make the egg wash, start by cracking two eggs into a bowl and whisking them. You can add a splash of milk to the eggs, which will help them coat the meat evenly and give the breading a golden colour when fried. Whisk the mixture until it is well combined and has a pale yellow colour. You can season the egg wash with a pinch of salt and pepper, or your choice of spices, but this is optional.
The egg wash is used to bind the breading to the meat. After coating the pork cubes with flour, dip them into the egg wash. Make sure each piece is well coated by turning them over in the egg mixture. You can use a fork to help turn the meat and ensure it is fully covered. Allow any excess egg wash to drip off before moving on to the next step, which is coating the pork in breadcrumbs.
The egg wash will help create a crispy, golden crust when the meat is fried. This step also helps seal in the juices of the meat, ensuring it stays moist and tender during the cooking process. The egg wash is an important part of the breading process, creating a delicious texture and flavour for your city chicken.
You can also add some variety to the egg wash by experimenting with different spices and herbs. For example, adding a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the egg wash can give the dish a subtle tanginess. Alternatively, adding a crushed clove of garlic or a sprinkle of paprika can give the egg wash a savoury kick. These additions can enhance the flavour of the dish and make it more personalised to your taste.
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Bread the pork
City chicken is a dish that traditionally uses pork and veal, but can also be made with all pork. The meat is cut into cubes, skewered, and then coated in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs before being fried and baked.
To start breading the pork, you will need to prepare three separate bowls. In the first bowl, place the flour and season with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings of your choice, such as garlic powder and onion powder. In the second bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. You can also add a little water if you prefer a thinner consistency. In the third bowl, place the breadcrumbs. You can use regular breadcrumbs, Italian seasoned panko breadcrumbs, or even saltine cracker crumbs.
Once you have your breading station set up, you can begin coating the pork cubes. First, roll the pork cubes in the flour mixture, making sure to coat all sides evenly. Shake off any excess flour. Next, dip the floured pork cubes into the egg mixture, again ensuring that all sides are coated. Finally, dredge the pork cubes in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently so that the breadcrumbs adhere to the meat.
For an extra crispy coating, you can repeat the process by dipping the pork cubes back into the egg mixture and then into the breadcrumbs a second time. This will create a thicker, crunchier layer of breading.
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Cook in the crock pot
City chicken is a dish that traditionally uses pork and veal, but can also be made with all pork. The meat is cut into cubes, seasoned, skewered, and then coated with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs before being fried and baked.
To cook city chicken in a crock pot, start by cutting your pork loin into 1-inch cubes. You can also add veal if you would like to follow the traditional recipe. Next, prepare three bowls. In the first bowl, combine flour with salt and pepper. In the second bowl, whisk eggs. In the third bowl, add seasoned breadcrumbs. Now, coat the pork cubes with the flour, then roll the floured pork cubes in the egg, and finally, dredge them through the breadcrumbs.
Once the pork cubes are skewered and coated, heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the skewers to the hot oil and brown them on all sides. Then, transfer the browned skewers to the crock pot. Pour about 1/4 inch of chicken broth into the crock pot—just enough to cover the bottom of the pot. Set the crock pot to low and let the city chicken cook for 4-5 hours.
You can serve your crock pot city chicken with mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, mixed vegetables, or gravy.
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Make a gravy
Making gravy for your city chicken crock-pot recipe is a simple process. First, season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, and thyme. You can also use garlic salt or seasoned salt instead of plain salt. Next, add the chicken to the crock-pot and whisk together the gravy packets, soup, and water or chicken broth. You can also add milk at this stage for a creamier gravy. Pour the mixture over the chicken and let it cook.
If you prefer a thicker gravy, you can use cornstarch or flour to thicken it. Simply whisk together equal parts cornstarch or flour and water, and pour the mixture into the crock-pot towards the end of the cooking process. You can also add sour cream to the gravy for extra creaminess and flavour. If you're using frozen chicken, be aware that it may release extra liquid, resulting in a watery gravy. In this case, you can use the cornstarch or flour mixture to thicken it.
For a simple, delicious, and creamy gravy, whisk together 2 cups of water, 2 packets of chicken gravy mix, and a 10.5-ounce can of cream of chicken soup. You can also add milk or sour cream to this mixture for extra creaminess. If you prefer a thinner gravy, simply add more water or chicken broth.
Remember to taste the gravy before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can serve this gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles, along with your crock-pot city chicken.
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Frequently asked questions
City chicken is made of pork tenderloin, which is used as a substitute for chicken as it is cheaper.
First, cut the pork tenderloin into 1-inch cubes. Then, coat the pork cubes with flour, dip them in egg, and roll them in breadcrumbs. Next, heat some vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown the pork skewers on all sides. Finally, pour about 1/4 inch of chicken broth into the crock pot and add the pork skewers. Cook on low heat for 4-5 hours.
You can serve city chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy, rice pilaf, mixed vegetables, or sweet potato fries.
It takes approximately 4-6 hours to cook chicken in a crock pot, depending on the amount of chicken and the specific functions of your crock pot. Smaller pieces will cook faster.
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