Shoemaker’s chicken is the kind of dish that would become a beloved recipe in Italian American families. This filling chicken dish is full of deep flavor and story. It embodies the all-American immigrant story, in particular the plight of these Italian shoemakers who exported their beloved culinary practices along with them after they emigrated. The popular dish, known as “shoemaker’s chicken,” features chicken, sausage, and artichoke hearts. This savory mixture adds genuine Italian flavor to pizza—the topping that’s become a staple of the American diet.
Shoemaker’s chicken was born in the early waves of Italian immigration to the United States. Like most of the immigrants who settled in American cities during that time, most Italians came looking for opportunity. Among them were talented chefs who took root in our major urban centers and paved new roads for their culinary traditions. The expression shoemaker’s chicken probably comes from artisans who made shoes. Besides being amazing artisans, these chefs preserved and took ownership of their recipes giving birth to the American palate.
Shoemaker’s chicken is usually made with marinated and seasoned chicken chunks. You will salt and pepper them liberally and brown them off in a skillet. This first step may seem insignificant, but it’s key to building the dish’s deep flavor. After browning, sausage, usually grilled in advance for additional smokiness, is mixed in. Next, white wine is added to the frying pan, deepening the flavor and allowing deglazing of the pan.
Afterwards, chicken broth is added to make a creamy, delicious sauce that brings everything together. We blend in marinated artichoke hearts to add some fun texture and round out the overall flavor with a touch of acidity. With so many wonderful ingredients, it’s not hard to see how this combination creates a delicious and wholesome dish that serves as a perfect main dish.
Once everything’s mixed in the skillet, shoemaker’s chicken is usually moved to a baking dish. The dish then goes into the oven, where it may get finished for approximately 30 minutes. During this final step all of the flavors come together perfectly while making sure your chicken is cooked through and nice and tender!
Shoemaker’s chicken is a great example of how immigrant communities have shaped what we think of as American food. Each ingredient in this dish symbolizes the resilience of its creators. They creatively modified their ancestral culinary practices to succeed in the new climates. As far as we’re concerned, in Italian American households shoemaker’s chicken is more than a dish. It’s a rich tapestry of cultural expression and multi generational bonding!