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Chicken Kiev

Chicken Kiev

The ultimate comfort food, Chicken Kiev features succulent chicken breasts filled with rich garlic herb butter, all encased in a crispy, golden crust. This easy weeknight dinner is sure to impress your family or guests. Serve it with your favorite sides for a meal everyone will love!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 6 Tbsp Unsalted Butter Room temp
  • 1 large Garlic Clove Minced
  • 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice Plus more for serving
  • 2 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Parsley Plus more to garnish
  • 1/2 tsp Salt Sea salt preferred
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper Freshly ground
  • 3 large Chicken Breasts 12 oz each
  • 2 large Eggs Beaten
  • 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 cups Panko Bread Crumbs
  • 1/2 tsp Salt and Pepper To taste
  • Extra Light Olive Oil For sautéing

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Frying Pan
  • Chef's Knife

Method
 

  1. Make the Flavored Butter – In a medium bowl, mash together all the Kiev butter ingredients with a fork, just until lemon juice is incorporated into the butter. It takes a couple of minutes but it does come together.
  2. Prepare Chicken – Using a sharp slim knife, cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise, keeping both halves equal in size and thickness. Carefully cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast as deep and wide as you can go without cutting through the chicken breast (about a 2" wide x 3" long pocket). Stuff each chicken breast with 1 Tbsp of Kiev butter then close the pocket and push over the top of the chicken breast to disperse the butter. Pinch the opening to seal. Season both sides of the chicken breast with salt and pepper.
  3. Make your breading stations – Set up 3 plates for breading: In the first plate, pour 1/2 cup flour. In the second large bowl, beat together 2 eggs. In the third large bowl, pour 2 cups panko crumbs. Dredge chicken in flour, dusting off excess then dip in eggs making sure to get a good egg coating all around and letting any excess egg drip off. Finally, dip into the bread crumbs. Transfer to a platter while forming the remaining chicken Kievs.
  4. Fry Chicken Kiev – Add 1/4" of oil to a large deep skillet and place over medium heat. Once the oil is hot (350˚F or if you add a bread crumb, it should sizzle), add chicken in a single layer and fry until golden brown (4 min per side - if it browns too quickly, reduce the heat). It's done when it reaches 165˚F on an instant-read thermometer. Repeat cooking the second batch.
  5. To Serve – Season hot fried chicken with a sprinkle of salt, garnish with fresh parsley, and squeeze lemon wedges over the top, then serve. Be careful of the first spurt of hot butter when you cut the chicken.

Notes

  • Tip 1: If you accidentally cut through the chicken, turn it over and cut a small flap to fold over and seal the hole from the outside.
  • Tip 2: Make ahead by breading the chicken in step 3, then cover the uncooked chicken breasts and store in the fridge until ready to cook.
  • Tip 3: Cool leftovers completely and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Tip 4: To freeze, wrap each individually and flash-freeze. Store frozen chicken breasts in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
  • Tip 5: To reheat, sauté in a pan until warmed through or reheat in the Air Fryer.