Homemade Chicken Kiev: A Crispy, Buttery Delight for Dinner Tonight

Chicken Kiev is a classic dish that showcases the rich flavors of Eastern European cooking.

It features juicy chicken breast filled with creamy, herbed butter at its center.

Both seasoned chefs and cooking enthusiasts have long enjoyed the detailed steps that turn basic ingredients into an elegant meal.

The crispy golden crust reveals a soft, melting core that offers a burst of flavor with each bite.

This recipe has been cherished in Russian and Ukrainian kitchens for its refined preparation methods and artistic presentation.

People everywhere continue to enjoy the perfect mix of textures and the delicious experience Chicken Kiev offers.

Why You’ll Want To Try Chicken Kiev

• Elevate Home Cooking: Masterful Chicken Kiev turns an ordinary dinner into a restaurant-worthy experience.
• Quick Kitchen Triumph: Achievable for home cooks with basic skills, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into an impressive dish without requiring professional training.
• Flavor Explosion Technique: Herb-infused butter hidden inside crispy golden chicken creates a mouthwatering surprise that releases creamy, garlic-packed goodness with every slice.
• Versatile Meal Winner: Perfect for weekend family dinners, date nights, or impressing guests with minimal complicated preparation steps – serves as a crowd-pleasing centerpiece that feels sophisticated yet approachable.

Everything Needed For Chicken Kiev

Main Ingredients:

Chicken Breasts: Protein-packed canvas for the classic dish, choose fresh, boneless, and skinless for best results. Uniform size ensures even cooking.

Kiev Butter: Flavor powerhouse with herbal and zesty profile, homemade butter blend brings rich, aromatic character to the chicken.

• Flour, Panko Bread Crumbs: Crispy exterior protection for the chicken, creating golden and crunchy coating. Panko offers lighter, airier texture compared to traditional bread crumbs.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps breading adhere perfectly to chicken surface, providing smooth transition between flour and bread crumbs.

• Garlic, Parsley, Lemon Juice: Aromatic herbs and citrus that brighten butter's richness, adding complexity and freshness to the dish. Fresh ingredients guarantee superior taste.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning that elevates all other flavors, balancing and enhancing the overall taste profile of the chicken.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking fat that ensures even, golden-brown frying without overpowering the delicate chicken flavor. Temperature control is crucial for perfect results.

Easy Chicken Kiev Instructions

Step 1: Create Flavorful Butter Mixture

Blend softened butter with minced garlic, freshly squeezed lemon juice, finely chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are completely incorporated.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken Breasts

• Slice chicken breasts horizontally to create thinner portions
• Carefully create a deep pocket on one side of each chicken piece without cutting completely through
• Stuff the pocket with prepared butter mixture
• Gently press to distribute butter evenly
• Seal the opening by pinching edges closed
• Season both sides with salt and pepper

Step 3: Set Up Breading Station

• First container: All-purpose flour
• Second container: Whisked eggs
• Third container: Panko bread crumbs

Step 4: Coat Chicken

• Dredge each chicken piece in flour, shaking off excess
• Dip thoroughly in egg mixture, allowing extra to drip
• Roll completely in panko bread crumbs
• Gently press crumbs to ensure complete coverage

Step 5: Fry Chicken

• Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F
• Carefully place chicken pieces in hot oil
• Cook for 4 minutes on each side until golden brown
• Adjust heat if browning occurs too quickly
• Verify internal temperature reaches 165°F

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

• Transfer chicken to serving plate
• Sprinkle with additional salt
• Garnish with fresh parsley
• Squeeze fresh lemon wedges over top
• Serve immediately while butter remains molten inside

Advice To Help With Chicken Kiev

• Slice Precisely: Cut chicken breasts lengthwise to ensure even cooking and consistent portion sizes.
• Seal Tightly: Press and pinch the butter pocket's opening carefully to prevent leaking during frying.
• Bread Strategically: Coat chicken thoroughly by gently pressing panko crumbs, creating a crispy, golden exterior.
• Control Oil Temperature: Maintain medium heat around 350°F for perfect golden-brown crust without burning.
• Handle with Care: Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe, juicy chicken.

How To Store And Warm Up Chicken Kiev

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Chicken Kiev in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze: Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers. Frozen Chicken Kiev can last up to 2 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Reheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Reheat Skillet: Gently warm in a skillet over medium-low heat with a touch of oil. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, ensuring the chicken heats evenly without burning the crispy coating.

Best Pairings For Chicken Kiev

• Pair Zesty White Wine: Select a crisp, acidic white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the rich, buttery chicken Kiev and refresh the palate.
• Create Herbal Potato Side: Roast small golden potatoes with rosemary and thyme to complement the garlic and parsley flavors already present in the dish, providing a perfect starchy accompaniment.
• Match Bright Citrus Salad: Prepare a light mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette and fresh herbs, echoing the lemon notes in the chicken and offering a refreshing contrast to the heavy, crispy protein.
• Serve Tangy Pickle Garnish: Add quick-pickled cucumber slices or dill pickles on the side to provide a sharp, acidic counterpoint to the creamy, buttery chicken, cutting through the richness and adding textural variety.

Easy Chicken Kiev Variations

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with rice flour or almond flour, and use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs for crispy coating. Perfect for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Herb-Infused Variation: Experiment with different herb combinations like thyme, rosemary, or dill in the butter mixture for a unique flavor profile. Creates a personalized herb-packed chicken experience.
• Low-Fat Option: Bake the breaded chicken at 400°F for 20-25 minutes instead of frying. Use olive oil spray for a lighter preparation that reduces overall calorie content.
• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Swap breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond meal for coating. Use full-fat butter and skip flour dredging to maintain low-carb requirements.

Chicken Kiev FAQ Guide

• How do I prevent the butter from leaking while cooking?

Seal the chicken pocket carefully by pressing edges firmly and chilling the stuffed chicken for 15-20 minutes before breading to help butter stay inside during frying.

• Can I bake Chicken Kiev instead of frying?

Yes, you can bake at 400°F for about 25-30 minutes, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Spray breaded chicken with cooking spray to help achieve a crispy exterior.

• What makes the breading crispy and golden?

Using panko bread crumbs creates a crunchier texture compared to regular bread crumbs. Press the panko gently onto the chicken and ensure oil is at the right temperature (350°F) for even, golden browning.

• How can I tell if the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The chicken should also be golden brown on the outside and have no pink meat inside when cut open.

Tantalizing Chicken Kiev Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent Chicken Kiev brings Russian culinary elegance to dinner tables with crispy golden breading and rich herb-infused butter. Juicy chicken breasts envelop melting garlic butter, promising a delightful dining experience you will savor with each delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Proteins:

• 3 chicken breasts (about 12 ounces / 340 grams each)

Butter and Seasonings:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt (divided)
• 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground (divided)

Coating Ingredients:

• 2 eggs, beaten
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups panko bread crumbs
• Olive oil or canola oil, for frying
• Extra lemon wedges for serving

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a luxurious herb-infused butter blend by thoroughly mixing softened butter with minced garlic, fresh lemon zest, finely chopped parsley, and a delicate balance of salt and pepper until achieving a harmonious consistency.
2. Prepare chicken breasts by carefully bisecting each piece horizontally, ensuring uniform thickness and creating an ideal canvas for the butter filling.
3. Delicately excavate a concealed pocket within each chicken portion, maintaining the structural integrity of the meat while creating a spacious cavity for the herbed butter.
4. Generously populate each pocket with the aromatic butter mixture, methodically pressing to distribute evenly and sealing the opening meticulously to prevent leakage during cooking.
5. Establish a precise breading station featuring three distinct zones: a flour-covered platform for initial coating, a whisked egg bath for adhesion, and a panko breadcrumb terrain for final crispy encasement.
6. Methodically transform each chicken piece by first dusting with flour, eliminating excess, then immersing in beaten eggs, allowing surplus to cascade off, and finally enrobing in panko breadcrumbs with a gentle pressing motion.
7. Warm a skillet with a moderate layer of oil, bringing the temperature to an optimal 350°F for achieving a golden, crisp exterior without burning.
8. Carefully introduce the breaded chicken to the heated oil, executing a precise four-minute sear on each side, adjusting heat as necessary to maintain an even, rich golden-brown coloration.
9. Verify internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure complete chicken doneness, repeating the cooking process for remaining pieces.
10. Elevate the dish with a final flourish of sea salt, a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and a vibrant squeeze of lemon wedges, presenting a stunning culinary creation ready for immediate enjoyment.

Notes

• Carefully slice chicken breasts to ensure uniform thickness, preventing uneven cooking and helping butter distribute evenly.
• Freeze garlic butter mixture for 15 minutes before stuffing to maintain structural integrity and prevent leakage during frying.
• Use fresh breadcrumbs for extra crispiness, creating a lighter and more delicate coating that browns beautifully.
• Pat chicken completely dry before breading to help coating adhere perfectly and achieve a golden,

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Ukrainian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg