Air-Fryer Chicken Kiev: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Chicken Kiev is a popular dish that can be made in an air fryer, resulting in a moist and tasty dish with a crispy breaded coating. The air fryer method is a healthier and quicker alternative to traditional deep-frying and baking methods. The key to success is freezing the garlic butter filling in advance and ensuring the chicken is thoroughly coated in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs before air frying. This technique can be applied to both frozen and chilled chicken Kiev, with slight variations in cooking time.

Chicken Kiev in an air fryer vs. baked chicken kiev

Chicken Kiev is a delicious dish that involves a chicken breast stuffed with garlic herb butter and coated with a crispy breadcrumb crust. Traditionally, it is deep-fried and then baked, but cooking it in an air fryer is a healthier and quicker alternative that yields a similar taste and texture.

Air Fryer Chicken Kiev

To make Chicken Kiev in an air fryer, you'll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butter, garlic, parsley, eggs, flour, and breadcrumbs. Start by preparing the garlic butter by mixing softened butter with crushed garlic and parsley. Shape the mixture into a log, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill it in the refrigerator or freezer until firm.

Next, prepare the chicken breasts by butterflying them and pounding to an even thickness. Place a chilled butter portion in the center of each chicken breast, pull the sides up, and secure with plastic wrap. Chill the stuffed chicken in the freezer for about 30 minutes.

Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs. Dredge each chicken breast in flour, dip it in the egg, and then coat it with breadcrumbs. Transfer the breaded chicken to the air fryer basket and spray with cooking spray.

Air fry at 180°C to 200°C for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 74°C to 75°C. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Baked Chicken Kiev

Baked Chicken Kiev can be a healthier alternative to frying, but it may result in a slightly different texture. To bake Chicken Kiev, preheat your oven to 375°F to 425°F. After stuffing and breading the chicken as described above, place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. You can also use a wire rack set on the baking sheet for extra crispiness.

Bake the chicken for about 15 to 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F to 165°F. If the top starts browning too much, tent the chicken with foil. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Comparison

Both cooking methods result in a crispy exterior and a moist, flavorful interior. Air frying is generally faster and considered healthier as it uses less oil. Baked Chicken Kiev can be a good option if you want to avoid using an air fryer or prefer the texture of baked goods. Ultimately, the choice between air frying and baking depends on your personal preference, time constraints, and health considerations.

How to prepare the chicken breast

Preparing chicken breast for the air fryer is simple and can be done in a few easy steps.

Firstly, you will want to buy the right size of boneless, skinless chicken breasts — about 7 ounces. If you can't find any that are this specific size, don't worry, you can always cut them down to size yourself.

Next, you will want to season the chicken. A simple mix of paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper will do wonders for plain chicken. You could also use other dried herbs such as oregano or parsley. If you're feeling adventurous, you could try a marinade.

Now, you'll want to lightly pound the chicken to flatten and reduce the large bump on one end. This will ensure that your chicken cooks evenly and is the same thickness throughout.

After this, you should coat the chicken in some oil and sprinkle your chosen seasoning on both sides. Make sure to rub it in well with your hands so that the seasoning is evenly distributed.

Finally, you can place the chicken in the air fryer. Cook the chicken smooth side down for 7 minutes at 375°F (190°C). Then, flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 3 minutes (or more for larger chicken breasts) before removing it from the air fryer.

And there you have it! A perfectly prepared chicken breast ready for the air fryer.

How to make garlic butter

Yes, you can cook chicken kiev in an air fryer. The breading will be crispy, and the filling will be cooked to perfection.

Now, for the garlic butter. This is a simple recipe with a few basic ingredients. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make garlic butter:

Ingredients:

• Butter (unsalted or salted)
• Garlic (freshly minced or grated)
• Fresh parsley or chives (finely chopped)
• Salt (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Other spices like garlic salt, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and paprika (optional)

Method:

Start by setting the butter out on the counter to soften. It should be at room temperature and spreadable. If you're short on time, you can use the defrost setting on your microwave for 5-second intervals, being careful not to let it melt.

While the butter is softening, prepare the other ingredients. Finely chop or grate the garlic. If you're using fresh herbs, finely chop those as well. You can also add some grated Parmesan cheese for an extra kick of flavour.

Once the butter is soft, place all the ingredients in a small bowl. If you want a smoother, creamier texture, you can use a food processor to combine everything. Mix or process until all the ingredients are well incorporated and you have a homogeneous mixture.

Storage:

Garlic butter can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to three months. If freezing, leave about half an inch of space at the top of your container, as the butter will expand when frozen. Alternatively, you can shape the mixture into logs, wrap them in wax paper, and freeze them.

Uses:

Garlic butter is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways:

• Spread it on French bread or baguette for a delicious side or snack.
• Make garlic bread by spreading it on bread and baking it.
• Melt it over mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or baked potatoes.
• Toss it with pasta and Parmesan cheese for a simple, tasty dish.
• Add a dollop to a steak for a restaurant-worthy touch.
• Use it on grilled corn on the cob instead of regular butter.
• Slather it on cornbread, jalapeño cornbread, or dinner rolls.
• It's also great on bagels for a quick and tasty breakfast.

So, there you have it! A simple and versatile garlic butter recipe that you can use in a variety of dishes, including your air-fried chicken kiev. Enjoy experimenting and happy cooking!

How to bread the chicken

There are two ways to bread chicken for the air fryer: the traditional egg and flour method, and a simpler method using seasoned dried breadcrumbs and oil.

For the traditional method, you will need three shallow bowls for the breading. First, dredge the chicken in flour, then dip it in beaten egg, and finally coat it in breadcrumbs. For the breadcrumbs method, simply coat the chicken in oil, then in seasoned breadcrumbs.

Make sure to season the chicken and the breadcrumbs. This is where most of the flavour comes from. You can also add grated cheese to the breadcrumbs, or switch up the spices—for example, adding ranch or BBQ seasoning.

If you have time, it is recommended to brine the chicken beforehand. Dissolve two tablespoons of salt in two cups of room-temperature water and let the chicken sit in this solution for at least 15 minutes, or up to six hours in the fridge. This will make the chicken super tender and juicy.

Cooking the Chicken

Preheat your air fryer to between 390°F and 400°F (around 200°C). Transfer the chicken to the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it, as this will create a steaming effect instead of a crisping one. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.

How long to cook the chicken kiev

The cooking time for chicken kiev in an air fryer depends on whether the kiev is frozen or fresh.

For frozen chicken kiev, it is recommended to cook it for 20 minutes at 180°C/360°F.

For fresh chicken kiev, the cooking time is slightly shorter at 18 minutes, also cooked at 180°C/360°F. However, one source suggests cooking fresh chicken kiev for 12 minutes at 180°C/350°F, and checking that the internal temperature is at least 75°C/167°F. If not, it should be cooked for a few minutes longer.

Another source suggests that the cooking time for fresh chicken kiev is between 18 and 20 minutes at 180°C, or until the internal temperature reaches 75°C.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of the air fryer, as well as the size and thickness of the chicken kiev. It is always a good idea to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it has reached a safe temperature before consuming.

Frequently asked questions