Easy Chicken Kiev Recipe

Introduction

Chicken Kiev is a classic dish featuring tender chicken breasts wrapped around a flavorful garlic herb butter. The crispy golden crust and rich, buttery center make it a delightful meal that’s easier to prepare than you might think.

A white plate holds two pieces of crispy golden-brown breaded chicken cut in half, showing a creamy white cheese and green herb filling inside. The chicken is sitting in a light yellow buttery sauce with finely chopped green herbs spread around. Behind the chicken, there is a fresh green lettuce side and some light golden roasted potatoes. The plate rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp salt (for butter)
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper (for butter)
  • 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
  • 1 tsp salt (for chicken)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper (for chicken)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • Avocado oil or any neutral oil, for frying

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Make the Garlic Herb Butter by mixing softened butter with minced garlic, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Shape the mixture into a small log using plastic wrap and freeze for about 30 minutes until firm.
  2. Step 2: Prepare the chicken breasts by pounding them between plastic wrap or parchment paper to about 1/4 inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  3. Step 3: Cut the chilled butter into four equal pieces. Place one piece in the center of each chicken breast, then fold and roll tightly to enclose the butter completely. Refrigerate the rolls for at least 30 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Set up a breading station with flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs. Coat each chicken roll first in flour, then egg, and finally breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
  5. Step 5: Heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the chicken rolls seam-side down for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
  6. Step 6: Transfer the browned chicken to a baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Tips & Variations

  • You can make the garlic herb butter ahead of time and freeze it for quick use in other dishes like toast, vegetables, or steak.
  • Use fresh breadcrumbs for a lighter crust or add some grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs for extra flavor.
  • To ensure the rolls stay sealed, chill them thoroughly before frying and consider securing with toothpicks if needed.

Storage

Store leftover Chicken Kiev in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 325°F (160°C) until warmed through to preserve the crispy coating and prevent the butter from leaking out.

How to Serve

The image shows four golden-brown pieces of cooked chicken in a black pan, each piece coated with a crispy, textured crust sprinkled with small green herb bits. The chicken pieces have a slightly rough surface with specks of black pepper and salt visible, sitting in a shallow pool of shiny cooking oil that reflects light. The background is blurred out with a soft green plant color. The focus is on the chicken, showing the detailed crispiness and moist texture beneath. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh chicken breasts that are fully thawed to ensure even pounding and rolling. Frozen chicken should be completely thawed before starting the recipe.

What if the butter leaks out while cooking?

Chilling the butter-filled chicken rolls before frying helps prevent leaks. Also, make sure to seal the chicken tightly and consider using toothpicks if the chicken doesn’t stay rolled on its own.

Print

Easy Chicken Kiev Recipe

Easy Chicken Kiev is a classic comfort food featuring tender, boneless chicken breasts rolled with a flavorful garlic herb butter, coated in a crispy breadcrumb crust, pan-fried to golden perfection, and finished in the oven for juicy, melt-in-your-mouth results.

  • Author: Mia
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: European

Ingredients

Scale

For the Garlic Herb Butter:

  • 8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper

For the Chicken:

  • 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • Avocado oil or any neutral oil, for frying

Instructions

  1. Make the Garlic Herb Butter: In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir until evenly blended. Shape the mixture into a log using plastic wrap and freeze for about 30 minutes until firm. This helps the butter stay contained inside the chicken during cooking.
  2. Prep the Chicken: Place each chicken breast between plastic wrap or parchment and gently pound to about 1/4 inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  3. Assemble the Kiev: Cut the chilled garlic herb butter into four pieces. Place one piece in the center of each chicken breast. Fold the sides over the butter and roll tightly like a burrito, tucking in the ends to fully seal the butter inside. Refrigerate the rolls for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
  4. Coat and Bread the Chicken: Prepare a breading station with flour on one plate, beaten eggs in a bowl, and breadcrumbs on another plate. Roll each chicken roll first in flour, then dip in eggs, and finally coat with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
  5. Fry to Golden Perfection: Heat about 1/2 inch of avocado or neutral oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken rolls seam-side down and fry for 3-4 minutes per side until crisp and golden brown, focusing on browning not cooking through.
  6. Finish in the Oven: Transfer browned chicken to a baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and chicken is cooked through. The herb butter inside will melt and ooze when cut open.

Notes

  • Freezing the garlic herb butter beforehand is key to keeping it from leaking out during cooking.
  • Chilling the rolled chicken before breading and frying helps the rolls hold their shape.
  • You can secure the chicken rolls with toothpicks if needed to prevent unrolling.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  • Butter mixture also works well as a flavorful spread on bread, vegetables, or steak.

Keywords: Chicken Kiev, garlic herb butter, breaded chicken, pan-fried chicken, classic chicken recipe, European chicken dish

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