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11 Steps

Chicken Kyiv, 2 kyivs

  1. Garlic Herb Butter · Step 1 of 2

    Mash 30 g unsalted butter, softened with ½ small shallots, 15 g garlic (about 3 large cloves), 1 tsp capers, 1 fillet anchovy fillet in oil, 10 g mixed soft herbs (parsley, dill, chives, basil or tarragon) and ¼ green chillis until evenly mixed.

  2. Garlic Herb Butter · Step 2 of 2

    Spoon it onto baking paper and roll into a thin log no wider than 1 cm (⅜ in). Wrap and freeze for 30 min.

    the log is hard right through

  3. Chicken and Coating · Step 1 of 9

    Lay 2 skinless chicken breasts between two sheets of baking paper and bash only the thick ends with a rolling pin until each breast is an even thickness from end to end.

    even thickness, not thin like a schnitzel

  4. Chicken and Coating · Step 2 of 9

    Push a thin, sharp knife lengthwise into the thick end of each breast to cut a long, narrow pocket down the centre, without breaking through the sides.

  5. Chicken and Coating · Step 3 of 9

    Cut the frozen butter into two pieces a little shorter than the pockets. Push one deep into each pocket and press the chicken closed over the opening.

    no butter visible from outside

  6. Chicken and Coating · Step 4 of 9

    Set out three shallow dishes: 60 g plain flour seasoned with salt and black pepper, for the flour, 3 medium eggs beaten with pinch of salt, for the eggs, and 80 g panko breadcrumbs.

  7. Chicken and Coating · Step 5 of 9

    Roll each breast in the flour and shake off the excess, dip it in egg and let the excess drip away, then press it into the crumbs until evenly coated.

  8. Chicken and Coating · Step 6 of 9

    Dip each breast into the egg once more and coat it again in crumbs, pressing well, especially around the ends. This second layer is what keeps the butter in.

    a thick, even crust with no bare patches

  9. Chicken and Coating · Step 7 of 9

    Pour 1 l vegetable oil, for shallow frying (2 cm deep) into a large frying pan to about 2 cm (¾ in) deep and heat over medium-high.

    a crumb dropped in turns golden and crisp within about thirty seconds

  10. Chicken and Coating · Step 8 of 9

    Lay the kyivs in the oil and fry 4 min to 5 min on each side, turning the heat down if they brown too fast.

    deep golden all over

    the thickest part of the chicken reads 74 C

    74 °C

  11. Chicken and Coating · Step 9 of 9

    Drain briefly on kitchen paper, sprinkle with sea salt flakes and serve straight away. If they have to wait, keep them on a wire rack so the bottoms stay crisp.