Impress your dinner guests with this surprisingly approachable chicken Kiev recipe.
What Is Chicken Kiev?
Chicken Kiev (a.k.a. chicken Kyiv and côtelette de volaille) is a Russian dish that’s prepared by rolling chicken breasts or cutlets around herbed butter, coated with egg and breadcrumbs, and then fried to crispy perfection.
How to Make Chicken Kiev
You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade chicken Kiev:
- Make the garlic butter.
- Roll the seasoned chicken breasts around the butter according to the detailed instructions in the recipe.
- Wrap each stuffed breast in plastic wrap, then chill until firm.
- Coat each breast in flour, then eggs, then bread crumbs.
- Chill the breaded chicken until firm.
- Fry the chicken Kiev until golden. Season with salt and cayenne pepper.
- Bake in the preheated oven until you can hear the butter start to sizzle.
What to Serve With Chicken Kiev
In need of some serving inspiration? Try pairing your chicken Kiev with one of these Russian side dish recipes:
- Authentic Russian Salad 'Olivye'
- Russian Garden Salad
- Russian Cheese Salad
- Russian Potato Salad
- Traditional Russian Pirozhki
How to Store Chicken Kiev
Store your leftover chicken Kiev in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven.
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
“Always comes out perfect, however for less seasoned chefs, myself included, I have to use toothpicks to hold the chicken together,” advises one Allrecipes community member. “Just remember to tell your dinner guests.”
“Spectacular, truly,” raves dcholcomb. “Per another review, added a pinch of tarragon (a favorite herb); with or without, this is a superb recipe — rich without being overbearing, perfectly seasoned, and dang pretty to look at!”
“The flavor was perfect,” according to Vicki. “Chicken turned out perfect. Will be making this again and again!”
Editorial contributions by Corey Williams
Ingredients
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 pinch salt
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
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6 tablespoons unsalted butter
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4 (8 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
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salt and pepper to taste
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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2 teaspoons salt
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2 large eggs, beaten
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2 cups panko bread crumbs
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1 pinch cayenne pepper
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2 cups vegetable oil for frying, or as needed
Directions
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Gather all ingredients.
![Ingredients to make Chef John's chicken Kiev]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Grind garlic and pinch of salt together in a mortar and pestle until smooth; add parsley and mix well. Pound butter into garlic mixture with the pestle until well combined. Wrap butter mixture in plastic wrap; refrigerate until cold, at least 15 minutes.
![A mortar and pestle with garlic herb butter]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place 1/4 of the butter mixture in the center of the wider end of each chicken breast.
![A thinly pounded chicken breast with a portion of herb butter]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Fold the narrower end of each chicken breast up over the butter to form a tight pocket around the butter; gather the sides of each chicken breast to the center to form a round ball. The top of each chicken ball will be smooth and the bottom will be gathered. Tightly wrap each chicken ball in plastic wrap; transfer to a plate and chill in the freezer until the gathered bottoms hold together and are slightly firm, about 30 minutes.
![A plastic wrapped ball of thinly pounded chicken breast, wrapped around herb butter]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Whisk flour and 2 teaspoons salt together in a shallow bowl. Whisk eggs together in another shallow bowl. Pour panko bread crumbs into a third bowl.
![A shallow bowl with beaten eggs, a shallow bowl of seasoned flour, and a shallow bowl of breadcrumbs]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Remove chicken breast balls from plastic wrap. Gently press them into the flour mixture to coat; shake off any excess flour. Dip into beaten eggs, then press into bread crumbs. Place breaded chicken on a plate; cover with plastic wrap, and return to the freezer to chill until firm, about 15 minutes.
![A ball of breaded, thinly pounded chicken breast wrapped around herb butter on a plate]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Working in batches, place chicken, gathered-side down, in the hot oil and cook until lightly golden, about 1 minute per side. Transfer chicken to the prepared baking sheet; sprinkle salt and cayenne pepper over the top.
![A breaded piece of chicken Kiev being lowered into a large pot of hot oil]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Bake in the preheated oven until you can hear the butter start to sizzle on the baking sheet, 15 to 17 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
![A baking sheet with a cooked piece of chicken Kiev, with a meat thermometer measuring the internal temperature]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
![Golden-brown chicken kiev cut in half to reveal the bight herbs inside. Served with green beans and mashed potatoes]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
From the Editor
Nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of breading ingredients. The actual amount of breading consumed will vary. We have determined the nutritional value of oil for frying based on a retention value of 10% after cooking. The exact amount will vary depending on cooking time and temperature, ingredient density, and specific type of oil used.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 790 | Calories |
| 38g | Fat |
| 62g | Carbs |
| 60g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 4 | |
| Calories 790 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 38g | 49% |
| Saturated Fat 15g | 77% |
| Cholesterol 268mg | 89% |
| Sodium 1656mg | 72% |
| Total Carbohydrate 62g | 23% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% |
| Total Sugars 0g | |
| Protein 60g | 119% |
| Vitamin C 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium 52mg | 4% |
| Iron 4mg | 21% |
| Potassium 479mg | 10% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
