A cheesy, garlicky and herby filling stuffed into a chicken breast and breaded, and then baked to crispy perfection. If you grew up eating this classic chicken dinner, why not try making it yourself. Simple, but impressive enough for a dinner party, this Chicken Kyiv can be adapted to include different fillings too.
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This totally retro chicken dinner is one of our favourites. Bursting (literally) with so much flavour and the more garlic the better when it comes to chicken Kyivs we say.
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What is a Chicken Kyiv?
A chicken Kyiv, also known as chicken Kiev, is a stuffed pounded chicken breast that is then coated in breadcrumbs and baked or fried.
It is a traditional Ukrainian/Russian dish (although thought to have been invented in New York to please Russian customers) that became popular in the UK in the late 80s and early 90s and it's now making a comeback.
People want more from their chicken Kyivs now though, which is why we have some great stuffing combinations for you.
Why You Will Love It
- Healthier than buying it ready made - Store bought chicken Kyivs have so many additives an unnecessary ingredients in them.
- Adaptable - You can stuff these with your favourite fillings and make them a different way every time.
- Low in calories - Only 336 calories per serving
- Freeze well - You can make up a batch of these and keep them in the freezer for easy meals.
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Chicken breast - This is the only chicken that will work for this recipe, as it needs to be big enough to stuff. Chicken thighs wouldn't work.
- Brown bread - This is to make the breadcrumbs. You could use store bought breadcrumbs instead. Panko breadcrumbs would make these Kyivs extra crispy.
- Cream cheese - We love a cheesy filling and cream cheese is an easy way to do that. You could use a flavoured cream cheese like garlic and herb for a flavour boost.
- Greek yogurt - To lower the calories, we used some greek yogurt instead of just cream cheese.
- Parsley - Fresh herbs add lots of flavour. You could use basil instead.
- Egg - This gives the breadcrumbs something to stick to, otherwise they would just come right off.
- Garlic - Garlic Kyivs are just the best, right?!
- Flour - This is important as it goes on the chicken first and gives the egg something to cling to. We just used plain flour.
Variations
This is the great thing about a chicken Kyiv. It can be stuffed with anything! Usually you will get it filled with garlic butter, or maybe cream cheese (like in our recipe), but there is so much you can do with it.
You are limited with space, as it's only a small space to stuff, but you could finely chop some olives or sun-dried tomatoes to mix with the sauce for some extra texture. You could also shred a few spinach leaves to mix with the cream cheese for a bit of a green boost. If you want to make these more indulgent, then some chopped cooked bacon is a good addition.
How to Make Homemade Chicken Kyivs
Prep: Preheat your oven to 220°C/200°C(fan)/425°F/Gas 7.
- Step 1: Add the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, garlic and parsley to a bowl (a). Mix well (b).
- Step 2: Take the chicken breast and at one of the sides in the middle, cut a 2-3 inch long hole and create a pocket in the middle of the chicken. Fill this chicken with as much of the cream cheese mix as you can fit in.
- Step 3: Whisk the egg and pour into a bowl. Put the bread into a food processor and turn it into breadcrumbs. Put these on another plate. Put the flour in a bowl.
- Step 4: Gently, pick up the chicken breasts and dip them in the flour and then the egg.
- Step 5: Then dip them in the bread crumbs and make sure they are covered.
- Step 6: Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken Kyiv is a fairly heavy and filling dish, so you don't want to go overboard with the sides. If you just want a light meal, then a simple green salad like our Little Gem Salad would be enough.
But for a bigger meal, we recommend some Garlic and Rosemary Roasted Potatoes with a Carrot and Coriander Salad and some Grilled Corn with Herb Butter. Or our Garlic Potato Wedges like we have in the photo or some Creamy Mustard Mash.
Dannii's Top Tips
- Feel free at adapt the fillings. Spinach and bacon are always great additions.
- Use full fat cream cheese for the best flavour.
- If you want to get a really crispy coating, you can cook it in a frying pan.
- If you want to freeze these, I would recommend freezing them before they have been cooked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can and if you want a really golden and crispy coating then frying is the way to go. But that will add extra calories from the oil. So, if you want to save some calories and still have a crispy Kyiv, we suggest following our cooking instructions and baking them in the oven.
As long as the chicken hasn't previously been frozen, it's fine to freeze these Kyivs. I would freeze them before they have been cooked though. So, stuff them and roll them in breadcrumbs and then put them on a baking tray and in the freezer. Then defrost it fully and cook in the oven following the instructions.
Leftovers will keep in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat it in the oven or the air fryer.
More Chicken Recipes
If you've tried this easy Chicken Kyiv recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Chicken Kyiv
Ingredients
- 400 g (14 oz) of Chicken breast
- 1 Egg
- 2 tablespoons of Light cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons of 0% Fat Free Greek yogurt
- 2 Garlic clove - minced
- 2 tablespoons of Fresh parsley - chopped
- 1 slice of Brown bread
- 2 tablespoons of Plain flour
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 220°C/180°C(fan)/425°F/Gas 7.
- Mix together 2 tablespoons of Light cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of 0% Fat Free Greek yogurt, 2 Garlic clove and 2 tablespoons of Fresh parsley.
- Take 400 g of Chicken breast and at one of the sides in the middle, cut a 2-3 inch long hole and create a pocket in the middle of the chicken. Fill this chicken with as much of the cream cheese mix as you can fit in.
- Whisk 1 Egg and pour onto a plate. Put 1 slice of Brown bread in a food processor and turn into bread crumbs and put on another plate. Put 2 tablespoons of Plain flour on a third plate.
- Gently, pick up the chicken breasts and dip them in the flour and then the egg.
- Then dip them in the breadcrumbs and make sure they covered.
- Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
Recipe Tips
- Feel free at adapt the fillings. Spinach and bacon are always great additions.
- Use full fat cream cheese for the best flavour.
- If you want to get a really crispy coating, you can cook it in a frying pan.
- If you want to freeze these, I would recommend freezing them before they have been cooked.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Devon says
Do you have to use both yoghurt and soft cheese if making a plain keiv with just herbs no garlic add mushrooms instead or can you leave the yoghurt out and just have the soft cheese
Dannii says
You can leave the yoghurt out, but you would need to use more soft cheese. We halved the cheese and added in yoghurt to make it lighter.
Irina says
You perfected the recipe of chicken kiev! Bravo! Sound amazingly delicious.
Marlynn | Urban Bliss Life says
This looks like such a yummy chicken dish for weeknight dinners! Would love to try the stuffing with bacon and spinach as you suggested. Delicious!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
I've heard of chicken kiev, but don't think I've ever tried it. This looks simple enough to do on a weeknight -- so I need to make it this week.
Safira says
Loved this recipe. Kids devoured it too. A keeper for sure.
Tawnie Kroll says
Just made this last night and already cannot wait to make again, thank you for an awesome recipe!
Tammy says
Wow wow wow these sound incredible! I love that its not complicated either...what a delicious dinner to try ^_^