VARIATION 1: Country-Style Chicken Kiev

Mix

• ½ cup bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Melt one stick of butter. Dip half chicken breasts in melted butter, and then roll in crumbs to coat. Place skin side up in baking dish. Bake at 375° for 50-60 minutes.

Mix

• ½ stick butter (and any remaining from dipping), melted
• ¼ cup white wine
• ¼ cup chopped onion (green or white)
• ¼ cup chopped parsley

When chicken is golden brown, pour butter sauce around and over. Return to oven for 3-5 minutes or just until sauce is hot. Serve with sauce spooned over.

VARIATION 2: Mexican-Style Chicken Kiev

Source: Sunset Favorite Recipes II

Mix

• ½ cup bread crumbs
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon pepper

Pound boneless, skinless breast halves until ¼ inch thick. Place piece of jack cheese and 1 teaspoon of chopped green chiles in the center of each breast. Fold in sides and roll up, sealing in filling. Use toothpicks to hold roll together, if necessary.

Melt one stick of butter. Dip chicken breast rolls in melted butter, and then roll in crumb mixture to coat. Place chicken, seam side down, in baking dish. Drizzle with remaining butter. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, or until next day. Bake at 400° for 20-30 minutes.

Glenda’s Secrets of Success

1. Real Chicken Kiev requires deep-frying, although it can be done in the oven. I like the Country-style recipe because it picks up the butter flavor throughout, but is much easier to make. (This is a recipe where real butter makes a difference in flavor.)
2. The Mexican-style recipe calls for canned whole chiles, split lengthwise, seeded and cut into pieces. I used canned chopped chiles instead. I also like to melt some more cheese on top of the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking time.
3. Both variations go well over the good chicken soup rice.

“Well, I can tell the difference between BUTTER and I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S NOT BUTTER.”
“No, you can’t, Mr. Simpson! No one can!” – The Simpsons