History
City chicken emerged in Polish-American kitchens in Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Detroit during the Depression of the 1930s, when chicken was more expensive than pork. The recipe stuck through the 1950s and remains a fixture at Slavic Village family tables and church festivals. Sokolowski's University Inn ran a weekly version until its 2020 close; Rudy's Strudel and Seven Roses in Slavic Village still rotate it through the cafeteria board, and the dish appears on every Polish parish fish-fry and pierogi-festival lineup.
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Common allergens: Gluten, Egg, Dairy
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 700g pork shoulder, cut into 2.5cm cubes
- 12 wooden skewers, 15cm long
- 150g plain flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 120g fine breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp sea salt, 0.5 tsp black pepper
- Neutral oil for frying
- 240ml chicken stock
- 30g butter
Method
- Thread 4 to 5 pork cubes onto each skewer, leaving room at the ends.
- Set up three bowls: seasoned flour, beaten egg, breadcrumbs.
- Coat each skewer in flour, egg, then breadcrumbs, pressing on.
- Heat 5mm of oil in a heavy pan to medium-high. Brown the skewers on all sides, about 8 minutes.
- Add chicken stock and butter, cover and braise on low for 25 minutes until pork is tender.
- Serve on mashed potato with the pan sauce spooned over.
Tip from the editors. Cut pork shoulder fresh; loin is too lean and dries out in the braise.
Where to eat city chicken
City chicken in Cleveland
West Side Market food stalls ★ 4.8
The West Side Market on West 25th Street since 1912, the 60-vendor public market in the Hubbel and Benes Hall, runs cheap-eat lunches from bratwurst, pierogi.
TryCheap-eat lunches from 60+ vendors: bratwurst, pierogi, gyros, tacos
Prosperity Social Club ★ 4.4
Prosperity Social Club on Starkweather Avenue in Tremont, a 1938 tavern with wood-paneled walls, runs late pierogi and tavern fare on weekends to 01:00.
TryPierogi, kielbasa and tavern fare
City chicken in Pittsburgh
Max's Allegheny Tavern ★ 4.1
Max's Allegheny Tavern is a century-old German tavern tucked in deutschtown that survives the north side's changes, off most visitors' radar.
Why locals goA century-old German tavern tucked in Deutschtown that survives the North Side's changes, off most visitors' radar.
TipOrder schnitzel or sauerbraten with a German beer. A nod to the North Side's German immigrant roots.
S&D Polish Deli ★ 4.3
S&D Polish Deli in Pittsburgh: A Polish deli, grocery and pierogi counter on the Strip that gets overshadowed by the bigger Italian market names.
Why locals goA Polish deli, grocery and pierogi counter on the Strip that gets overshadowed by the bigger Italian market names.
TipBuy a dozen pierogi to go and a kielbasa. Ask about the monthly pierogi-making class if you want to learn.
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