Revamped chicken kiev

Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Revamped chicken kiev
This version of chicken kiev doesn't have nearly as many calories as the retro 1970's version.

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, mini fillets intact

100g plain flour

3 eggs, beaten

200g fine, dry breadcrumbs

Sunflower oil or vegetable oil, for frying

Lemon wedges and watercress, to serve

1 garlic clove, crushed

Small handful parsley leaves, finely chopped

2 sprigs tarragon leaves, finely chopped

50g butter, softened

Squeeze of lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F / Gas Mark 6. 

To make the butter, add all the ingredients into a bowl and season well with pepper and a little salt. Mix until completely combined then slide onto a sheet of cling film and roll into a cylinder. Place in the fridge to set until hard. This can be made 3 days in advance, or can be kept frozen for u to 3 months. 

Take one chicken breast at a time, lay smooth side facing down and using a knife cut off the mini fillet. Make a slit down the middle of the fillet about half way into it to form a pocket;making sure not to cut the full way through the meat. Place a piece of cling film over the chicken breast and, using a rolling pin, flatten it out just a little. On another part of the board flatten out the mini fillet slightly.

Divide the butter into four parts and flatten into into flattish discs. Push a disc of butter into each of the pockets Cover each pocket with the mini fillet of chicken and fold the sides of the breast over it. Leave aside.

Add the flour, eggs and breadcrumbs into different shallow bowls.  Coat each breast completely in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs, then dip back into the egg and lastly once again in the breadcrumbs. Leave to one side. The chicken can be prepared the day before and left in the fridge or frozen for up to 1 month - defrost completely before cooking.

To cook, . Heat a generous splash of oil in a large frying pan and, once hot, reduce the heat  to medium. Fry the Kievs for 2-3 minutes on each side until dark golden. Lift them onto kitchen paper to remove any excess oil then place on a roasting tin. Cook in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the Kievs. Serve immediately with the lemon wedges and watercress, plus a retro salad of your choice!

Serves
4

Preparation Time
25 minutes

Cooking Time
30 minutes

Main ingredients
Chicken

Recipe Type
Dinner, Easy, Family Dinners, Quick Meals, Classics

Level of Difficulty
Easy

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