If you’ve ever wanted to serve a dish that makes people go “wow” without spending hours in the kitchen, this Easy Chicken Kiev is your new best friend. Juicy chicken wrapped around garlicky, herby butter that melts into every bite? Yes, please. It’s the kind of dinner that feels fancy but is secretly simple enough for a Tuesday night.
I first made this for a family dinner when I had zero time to fuss over a complicated recipe. The look on my kids’ faces when that golden chicken cut open and the butter oozed out—pure magic! It’s been a family favorite ever since, and I promise it’ll become yours too.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Kiev
- Crispy outside, juicy inside – That buttery surprise makes every bite irresistible.
- Make-ahead friendly – Prep the butter log in advance, and you’re halfway to dinner.
- Weeknight doable – It looks gourmet, but the steps are totally manageable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
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
How to Make Easy Chicken Kiev
This recipe has a few simple steps, and each one plays a big role in making sure you end up with crispy chicken on the outside and that dreamy, melty butter on the inside. Don’t worry—it might look fancy, but it’s totally doable even on a busy weeknight.
1. Make the Garlic Herb Butter
Mix softened butter with garlic, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth and combined. Shape into a log using plastic wrap and freeze for at least 30 minutes, or until firm. Freezing is key here—soft butter will just leak out as the chicken cooks.
Tip: Make extra! This butter is heavenly on bread, steak, or roasted veggies. I often keep a roll of it in my freezer because it’s such a lifesaver on rushed nights.
2. Prep the Chicken
While the butter chills, pound the chicken breasts to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Use a meat mallet or a rolling pin—just be gentle so you don’t tear the meat. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
3. Assemble the Kiev
Take the chilled butter log out of the freezer and cut it into 4 pieces. Place one in the center of each chicken breast. Fold the sides inward, then roll the chicken up tightly like a burrito, tucking in the ends as you go. Place the rolls on a plate and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This chilling time helps the rolls firm up so they stay sealed when cooking.
4. Coat and Bread
Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes—flour in one, beaten eggs in another, and breadcrumbs in the last. Roll each chicken piece in flour, dip in the eggs, and coat generously with breadcrumbs. Gently press the breadcrumbs on so they stick well.
5. Fry Until Golden
Heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, fry the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until it turns golden brown and crispy. You’re just browning the outside at this point, not cooking it all the way through.
6. Finish in the Oven
Transfer the browned chicken to a baking dish and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20–25 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. When you slice into it, the garlic herb butter will ooze out like liquid gold—trust me, it’s worth the wait.
For an extra fancy touch, serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a sprinkle of parsley.
Helpful Tips
- Seal tightly: The butter wants to escape—so roll snugly like you’re making the perfect burrito.
- Chill time matters: Don’t skip it, or you’ll lose that delicious butter in the pan.
- Leftovers: Reheat in the oven for best results. Microwaving will make the crust soggy (sad face).

FAQs About Easy Chicken Kiev
Can I bake it without frying?
Yes! Just brush the rolls with melted butter or oil and bake at 375°F for 30–35 minutes. It won’t be as crispy, but still tasty.
Can I use store-bought garlic butter?
You can, but homemade garlic herb butter tastes fresher and takes only 5 minutes.
What’s the best side dish?
Mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, or a simple green salad are perfect companions.
Time to Wow at Dinner
This Easy Chicken Kiev is proof that you don’t need a culinary degree to make a meal that feels special. It’s buttery, crispy, and guaranteed to impress—even if you just serve it with store-bought mashed potatoes (no judgment here!).
When you place these golden rolls on the table, they look like something straight out of a fancy restaurant, but you’ll know just how easy they were to make. The best part? That first slice, when the garlicky butter flows out and everyone at the table lets out a little gasp of excitement. It’s a true dinner party moment—even if the “party” is just you, your family, and maybe the dog hoping for a bite.
Pair it with a crisp green salad, a glass of white wine, and a side of roasted veggies, and you’ve got yourself a meal that feels like a treat without all the stress. Give it a try this week and see why it’s one of my family’s most-requested dinners—and soon, maybe yours too!
More Delicious Chicken Recipes to Try Next
Looking for more irresistible chicken dishes that are just as simple and crowd-pleasing as this Easy Chicken Kiev? Here are some amazing options to keep your dinner menu exciting while staying stress‑free:
- Treat your family to the rich, comforting flavors of Homemade Butter Chicken. It’s a creamy, restaurant‑quality dish that tastes even better when made at home.
- If you love fuss‑free meals, this hearty One‑Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles is the perfect busy‑weeknight savior with minimal cleanup.
- Craving something handheld and cheesy? These melty Ooey Gooey Cheesy Garlic Chicken Wraps are perfect for lunch, dinner, or even game‑day snacking.
- When you’re in the mood for bold, takeout‑style flavors, whip up this savory Mongolian Chicken. It pairs perfectly with steamed rice or noodles for an easy weeknight feast.
Each of these recipes offers its own twist on flavorful, easy‑to‑make chicken dishes, giving you plenty of ideas to impress your loved ones again and again—without spending hours in the kitchen.
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Easy Chicken Kiev
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Crispy, golden Easy Chicken Kiev filled with garlicky herb butter that melts out in every bite. A simple yet elegant dinner that feels fancy but is totally doable on a weeknight.
Ingredients
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
Make the Garlic Herb Butter – Mix softened butter with garlic, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth. Shape into a log using plastic wrap and freeze for at least 30 minutes until firm.
Prep the Chicken – Pound chicken breasts to 1/4‑inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Assemble the Kiev – Slice the chilled butter into 4 pieces. Place one in each chicken breast, fold the sides over, and roll tightly like a burrito. Chill for 30 minutes.
Coat and Bread – Prepare three dishes: flour, beaten eggs, breadcrumbs. Dredge each chicken roll in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs, pressing crumbs to stick.
Fry Until Golden – Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown.
Finish in the Oven – Transfer to a baking dish and bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes, until internal temp reaches 165°F.
Notes
Chill the butter and chicken rolls properly—this prevents the butter from leaking out.
For a lighter version, skip frying and bake at 375°F for 30–35 minutes brushed with melted butter or oil.
Leftovers reheat best in the oven to keep the crust crispy.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying + Baking
- Cuisine: European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg