Modern Day Chicken Kiev Food

CHEF JOHN'S CHICKEN KIEV

Steps:

• Grind garlic and a pinch of salt together in a mortar and pestle until garlic is completely smashed. Add parsley and mix until completely incorporated. Pound butter into garlic mixture with pestle until parsley and garlic are fully incorporated into the butter. Wrap the butter mixture in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, at least 15 minutes.
• Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place 1/4 the butter mixture in the center of wider end of each chicken breast. 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 the chicken will be smooth and the bottom will be gathered. Tightly wrap each chicken breast ball in plastic wrap, put wrapped breasts on a plate, and chill in the freezer until the gathered bottoms hold together and are slightly firm, about 30 minutes.
• Whisk flour and 2 teaspoons salt together in a shallow bowl. Whisk eggs together in another shallow bowl. Pour panko bread crumbs into another bowl.
• Remove chicken breast balls from plastic wrap. Gently press each chicken breast ball into flour mixture to coat and shake off any excess flour. Dip into beaten eggs, then press into bread crumbs. Place breaded chicken onto a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and return to the freezer to chill until firm, about 15 minutes.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Working in batches, cook chicken, gathered-side down, in hot oil and until lightly golden on both sides, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle salt and cayenne pepper over the top.
• 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). Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

CHICKEN KIEV

Steps:

• Mix the butter, tarragon, parsley, chives, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Scoop the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper and roll into a 1-inch-thick log. Wrap and freeze until firm, at least 3 hours and up to 3 days.
• Slice the frozen butter into 6 equal pieces. Lay a chicken breast between 2 pieces of plastic wrap or 2 large resealable plastic bags; pound to 1/4 inch thick with a heavy skillet or mallet. Transfer to a clean piece of plastic wrap and season with salt and pepper. Put a piece of herbed butter in the center of the chicken; using the plastic wrap as an aid, tightly roll up the chicken starting at a long side, tucking in the short sides as you go. Tightly wrap the chicken roll in plastic wrap. Repeat with the remaining chicken and butter. Refrigerate the rolls at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and set a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Put the flour in a shallow dish. Whisk the eggs and mustard in another shallow dish. Put the panko in a third dish. Unwrap the chicken rolls and generously season with salt and pepper. One at a time, dredge the chicken rolls in the flour, then dip in the egg mixture and roll in the panko to coat.
• Heat 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken rolls in 2 batches, turning, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to the prepared rack and bake until cooked through, about 10 minutes.

CHICKEN KIEV

Steps:

• For the compound butter: Add the butter, cream cheese, pepper jack, dill, parsley, paprika, garlic, 2 tablespoons salt and 1 tablespoon pepper to a food processor and pulse, occasionally scraping down the sides, until well combined. Place the compound butter on a piece of plastic wrap and roll it in a tube shape about 2-inches in diameter, twisting the ends to secure. Place it in the freezer until completely solid, at least 3 hours.
• Divide the chicken into four 8-ounce patties. Remove the log of compound butter from the freezer and place it in the center of the chicken. Wrap the chicken around the compound butter and seal to form it tightly and evenly around--like a large egg shape.
• For the breading: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place a rack on top of a baking sheet.
• Set up a dredging station with the flour, beaten eggs, seasoned Italian breadcrumbs and panko. Season each with 2 tablespoons salt and 1 tablespoon pepper. Dredge the chicken lightly in the flour, egg, then Italian breadcrumbs. Pass the chicken back through the egg and then finally in the panko for a second coating. Place on the prepared rack.
• Fill a pot with 2 to 3 inches of oil and heat to 350 degrees F. Fry the chicken until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Place the chicken back on the rack and bake until cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Let the chicken rest for 1 to 2 minutes before serving.

CHICKEN KIEV

Steps:

• Make the herb butter. Combine all the butter, herbs and lemon juice ingredients in a medium-large bowl, and, using a rubber spatula, mix until well combined. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne.
• On a work surface, spread out a piece of plastic wrap, about 10 inches long. Put the herb butter across the bottom center of the plastic wrap, and form into a log-like shape, about 4 inches long. Fold the bottom edge of the plastic wrap over the butter and roll the enclosed butter forward until completely wrapped, to form a tube about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Twist the ends together, like a party favor, and freeze until very firm.
• Prepare the chicken. On a work surface, place 1 breast half between 2 layers of plastic wrap or wax paper and, using a meat-tenderizing mallet, pound to a 1/4-inch thickness. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
• Unwrap the butter and cut lengthwise into four equal pieces. Lay out each breast half and season both sides assertively with salt and pepper. Place 1 piece of butter across the bottom center of each breast. Fold the bottom edge of a breast over the butter, fold in the sides, and roll the just enclosed butter forward until completely wrapped, to form a tight rolled package. Repeat with the remaining breasts.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon salt, and the thyme and season generously with pepper.
• Place the flour and eggs in separate flat bottomed bowls or lipped plates. Working with one chicken roll at a time, dredge it in the flour, dip in the egg, and roll in the breadcrumb mixture. Shake off the excess. Transfer to a parchment paper-lined plate. Repeat with the remaining chicken. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 12.
• In a large straight-sided skillet, pour the oil to a depth of about 1/2 inch. Heat the oil over medium heat until it registers 325 degrees F on a deep-frying thermometer. Add the breaded chicken and cook, turning once, until golden brown and cooked through, about 25 minutes. Using tongs, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Divide the chicken among plates and serve immediately. When cutting into the chicken, beware of spurting herb butter!

CHICKEN KIEV

Steps:

• In a large, deep skillet, heat 1 1/2 inches vegetable oil over medium high heat. The oil needs to be 360 degrees F for frying. If you do not have a frying thermometer, add a cube of white bread to hot oil. If the bread browns in a 40 count, the oil is ready.
• Cover work surface with waxed paper. Arrange breasts on paper. Butterfly small chicken breasts, cut into flesh and across, but not through the breast, and open them up. The 6-ounce thin cut breasts may just be removed from package and arranged on waxed paper. Cover breast meat with a second sheet of waxed paper. Pound out cutlets to 1/4-inch thick with a small heavy skillet or a rubber mallet. Be careful not to tear meat. Roll up waxed paper and breasts and set aside.
• Combine chopped herbs on cutting board with chopped garlic. Cut 4 (1 1/2 tablespoons) pieces of cold butter and coat each piece liberally with the herb garlic mixture.
• In 3 disposable pie tins, set out flour, eggs beaten with a splash of cold water and bread crumbs. Uncover chicken and squeeze a wedge of lemon over breasts. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place an herb-covered piece of butter on each piece of chicken. Wrap and roll cutlets tightly up and over the butter cubes. Discard pie tins used for breading. Secure stuffed chicken with toothpicks. Roll stuffed breasts in flour, then egg, then bread crumbs.
• Fry the Kiev bundles 7 to 8 minutes on each side until deep golden brown all over.

CHICKEN KIEVS

Steps:

• Place all the garlic butter ingredients in a bowl and season well. Mash with a fork until well combined, shape into two sausages using cling film to help you shape it, then tightly wrap and chill or freeze until really firm. Can be made up to three days in advance. When firm, slice each into eight even pieces.
• Lay a chicken breast on a chopping board and use a sharp knife to make a deep pocket inside the breast. The easiest way is to push the point of a knife into the fat end, keep going halfway into the fillet. Be careful not to cut all the way through or the butter will leak out when cooking. Repeat with the remaining breasts. Push two discs of butter inside each chicken breast, press to flatten and re-seal with your hands. Set aside.
• Mix the breadcrumbs and parmesan on one plate, and tip the eggs onto another. On a third plate, mix the flour with paprika and some salt. Dip each breast in the flour, then the egg and finally the breadcrumbs, repeating so each kiev has a double coating (this will make them extra crisp and help to keep the butter inside). Chill for at least 1 hr before cooking, or freeze now - see tips, below.
• To cook, heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the kievs for 2-3 mins each side until golden - you may need to do this in batches. Transfer to a baking tray and cook for 20-25 mins until cooked through.
• Place all the garlic butter ingredients in a bowl and season well. Mash with a fork until well combined, shape into two sausages using cling film to help you shape it, then tightly wrap and chill or freeze until really firm. Can be made up to three days in advance. When firm, slice each into eight even pieces.
• Lay a chicken breast on a chopping board and use a sharp knife to make a deep pocket inside the breast. The easiest way is to push the point of a knife into the fat end, keep going halfway into the fillet. Be careful not to cut all the way through or the butter will leak out when cooking. Repeat with the remaining breasts. Push two discs of butter inside each chicken breast, press to flatten and re-seal with your hands. Set aside.
• Mix the breadcrumbs and parmesan on one plate, and tip the eggs onto another. On a third plate, mix the flour with paprika and some salt. Dip each breast in the flour, then the egg and finally the breadcrumbs, repeating so each kiev has a double coating (this will make them extra crisp and help to keep the butter inside). Chill for at least 1 hr before cooking, or freeze now - see tips, below.
• To cook, heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the kievs for 2-3 mins each side until golden - you may need to do this in batches. Transfer to a baking tray and cook for 20-25 mins until cooked through.