Chicken Kiev

Chicken Kiev is a classic Eastern European dish of tender, juicy, chicken rolled with flavorful herb butter and wrapped in a crispy coat of breading. Learn how to make this amazing, restaurant-quality dinner with a demo video and step-by-step instructions and photos. It will be an impressive and comforting dinner when your guests cut into this crispy chicken and see flavorful warm butter burst out!

Chicken Kiev is a very special dinner that I often reserve for special occasions. This chicken in unbelievably tender, juicy, and so flavorful. The combination of garlic in herb flavors rolled inside the chicken breasts infuses the whole chicken. And, there is nothing like the crunch of crispy breading and buttery, tender chicken in one bite.

The best part about this dish, besides the ones I’ve already mentioned, is that everyone loves it! Kids and adults love this special “fried chicken” because there is so much more to it than just chicken.

Of course, the first thing you will see is the amount of steps it takes to make it. Don’t get scared! First of all, you CAN make it ahead of time. I always make this recipe into a two day process to make it much easier. Second, there might be a few steps here, but they are all very easy.

The KEY to Chicken Kiev is to keep all that butter inside, and I share all my secrets for doing that below.

What Is Chicken Kiev?

This popular Ukrainian and Russian dish that has been popular since the late 1800s. This delicious chicken fish features a thin fillets of chicken stuffed with butter, breaded, and fried until crispy and golden. Original recipe was a little more simple without the addition of garlic but just using simple butter.

There origins of this dish are still not completely known but it definitely originated in Eastern Europe. The two most popular origin stories go to the famous hotel in Kiev that had this recipe as a signature dish and the influence of a famous French chef in St. Petersburg. Russian cuisine is heavily influenced by the French and this dish does have a lot of French elements.

Recipe Tips

Like I said, the key to this stuffed chicken recipe is being able to keep all of the compound butter inside the chicken. It’s as much about the taste as the experience of slicing open the crunchy coquette and having the beautiful, aromatic butter pour out. I still get chills every time it happens!

• Make the meat as thin as possible. Butterfly the breast, then pound it to slightly less than ¼-inch thick. Make sure it’s not thinner than 1/8th of an inch. Any thinner and it will tear. Use the flat side of a meat tenderizer (NOT the side with spikes).
• Roll it tight! Tuck in the sides as you roll to create a leak-proof pocket. Then, wrap each of those tightly with plastic wrap to help compress and shape the pocket.
• Chill thoroughly. Be sure to let these sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. In fact, you can even prep them the night before and cook them the next day! Just don’t leave them in the refrigerator for more than 24 hours.
• Bread them twice. This will not only make them extra crispy on the outside, but it will also create a seal and prevent the butter from leaking out.

How To Make Baked Chicken Kiev

1. Form the compound butter.

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Combine softened butter with the herbs and seasoning. Be sure to incorporate them well. Then, transfer onto plastic wrap and roll into a log.

Place the butter into the freezer for about 15-20 minutes, while you prep the remaining ingredients.

2. How to butterfly chicken breast:

Place the palm of your hand gently on the top of the breast to hold it in place.

Then, use a knife to slice the thickness in half, stopping just before you cut all the way through. Separate and open each piece so that it resembles butterfly wings.

3. Pound them thin.

Slide each fillet into a zip-top bag so the raw juices don’t splatter everywhere. Use the flat side of a meat tenderizer to pound and thin each piece, working from the center outward. 

Repeat until all of the breasts are flattened, then place each onto its own square of plastic wrap.

4. Stuff with butter.

Make sure to season the chicken breasts on both sides first.

Next, slice the compound butter into 8 evenly sized rounds. Divide them across the pieces of poultry, placing them near one of the longer edges. 

5. Roll into pockets.

Tuck the nearest edge over the butter and roll it up, using light pressure so it holds together. Try not to tear the chicken!

Wrap tightly in the plastic and repeat until each one is done before chilling for at least 2 hours or overnight.

6. Prep the breading.

Add the flour, eggs, and Panko crumbs to three separate bowls, then mix the appropriate seasonings into each.

7. Bread the chicken.

Working with one chicken pocket at a time, carefully remove the plastic, then coat it in flour. Dip into the egg mixture, then the bowl of Panko crumbs. If you’re nervous about it coming undone, use your hands to press on the breadcrumbs.

Then, repeat the entire process again and press gently with your hands so everything adheres well to the surface.

8. Deep fry in oil.

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The dish finishes in the oven, so you only need to fry them for a few minutes on each side. Remove them from the oil once the outside is a deep golden brown.

9. Bake until done.

Use a wire rack over the baking sheet so the bottoms of the baked Chicken Kiev remain crisp.

Bake for 20-24 minutes, based on the overall size of each piece, since testing with a thermometer would cause the butter to leak out.

Serving Suggestions

Mashed potatoes is, of course, the best pairing for this comforting chicken dish. Although, you can always pair this entrée with your favorite style of potatoes or rice. Roasted vegetables or ratatouille will round out the meal, or try a fresh salad to balance the richness from the sauce. 

Even a simple blend of greens with citrus dressing or a Caesar salad will be a nice addition.

Storing and Reheating

If you have any leftovers, store it in an air-tight food storage container, in the refrigerator. Chicken Kiev will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

To reheat, you can do it in a microwave until it’s heated through. There is not much that can retain that perfect crispness than when it’s freshly made, but there will be still a little bit of crunch remaining.

MORE RECIPES TO TRY

Russian Mushroom Julienne is a popular Russian side dish that can also be used as a sauce for meat, vegetables, and even pasta. Mushrooms and shallots are cooked in a delicious cream sauce, then baked with shredded mozzarella on top.

If you are in the mood for something more comforting, you can’t go wrong with a hearty beet soup. It has tender cuts of beef and plenty of vegetables to keep you full on chilly nights. Trust me, this is the best borscht recipe you will ever have!

Originally published on Will Cook For Smiles on April 2, 2011. Updated February 15, 2021.