Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Kiev Recipe – Easy Stuffed Chicken Breast for a Cozy Dinner

I mean, who has time for deep frying when the best air fryer recipes exist? Not me. That’s why I love air fryer chicken recipes, especially when they make breaded chicken breast come out perfectly golden and crunchy without all the mess. And this one? It’s got that crispy coating with a surprise burst of garlicky butter inside. Chef’s kiss.

This air fryer chicken kiev recipe is one of my new go-tos for a cozy dinner that feels a little special but is still totally doable on a weeknight. It’s kinda like air fryer stuffed chicken meets crispy air fryer chicken, and it only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. So if you’ve been looking for quick air fryer chicken ideas or even just a way to switch up your usual air fryer chicken breasts, you’re in the right place!

And hey, if you’re new to air frying, don’t stress—this is one of those air fryer recipes for beginners that’ll make you feel like a pro. So grab that best air fryer (or at least, the one you got on sale because let’s be real, same), and let’s make some buttery, crispy magic.

P.S. If you’re here looking for slow cooker chicken breasts, you might be in the wrong place… but stick around anyway. I promise this is worth it.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Buttery Center

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1 tsp fresh dill (or ½ tsp dried—because who actually has fresh dill on hand?)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

For the Chicken

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg, beaten
• ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan (optional, but HIGHLY recommended)

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How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Kiev

Step 1: Make the Buttery Filling

First things first, let’s make the star of the show—the garlic herb butter.

1. In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, garlic, parsley, dill, salt, and pepper.
2. Scoop the butter onto a piece of plastic wrap, shape it into a tiny log, and freeze it for about 20 minutes.

Mom tip: Do NOT skip this step! If you don’t freeze the butter, it’ll just leak out while cooking, and then you’ll be left with regular chicken instead of buttery, melty goodness.

Step 2: Prep the Chicken

Time to turn this chicken into a fancy little pocket of joy.

1. Lay the chicken breast flat on a cutting board.
2. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the chicken open like a book (but don’t cut all the way through).
3. Take your frozen butter log and place it in the middle.
4. Fold the chicken back over the butter, making sure to completely seal it in. If needed, use a couple of toothpicks to hold everything together.

Mom tip: If your chicken is being stubborn and won’t stay shut, just chill it in the freezer for 10 minutes before breading. This helps firm it up.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Alright, now let’s get that crispy coating on. Set up your breading station with three plates:

Plate 1: Flour
Plate 2: Beaten egg
Plate 3: Panko breadcrumbs mixed with paprika, salt, pepper, and Parmesan

Now, follow this order:

1. Coat the chicken in flour, making sure every part is covered.
2. Dip it into the beaten egg.
3. Roll it in the panko mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs in so they stick.

Mom tip: Don’t be afraid to really press those breadcrumbs in—this is what makes it extra crispy!

Step 4: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection

Now for the fun part—watching the air fryer work its magic.

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (because nobody likes soggy breading).
2. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray—this helps it get that golden brown color.
3. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket seam side down (this helps keep the butter locked in).
4. Cook for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. It’s done when the outside is crispy and golden, and the inside reaches 165°F.

Mom tip: If you don’t have a meat thermometer, just cut a tiny slice in one—if the juices run clear, you’re good to go!

Step 5: Let It Rest (Trust Me on This One)

I know, I know. The house smells amazing, and you just wanna dive in. But HOLD UP.

Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before slicing into it. This gives the butter time to settle instead of just spilling out all over your plate (which is honestly tragic).

FAQs About Air Fryer Chicken Kiev

Air Fryer Chicken Kiev Recipe Card

And there ya have it—Air Fryer Chicken Kiev that’s crispy, buttery, and so dang good, you’ll feel like a fancy chef (even if you’re just a mom trying to get dinner on the table before the kids start wrestling in the living room). This Air Fryer Chicken Kiev Recipe takes all the stress out of cooking—no deep frying, no crazy mess, just delicious, crispy air fryer chicken in under an hour.

If you’re new to air frying, this is definitely one of those air fryer recipes for beginners that’ll make you feel like a pro. And if you’ve already mastered air fryer chicken recipes, then congrats—you just found your new favorite cozy dinner. It’s the perfect mix of breaded chicken breast crunch with that melty, garlicky surprise inside.

So whether you’re looking for quick air fryer chicken ideas, a restaurant-style chicken kiev recipe, or just a way to switch up your usual air fryer chicken breasts, this one’s a total winner. And let’s be real—when you find the best air fryer recipes, you keep ‘em forever. (Kinda like that one comfy hoodie you refuse to part with.)

Give this chicken kiev in air fryer a try, and let me know how it goes! Did your kids love it? Did they just eat the crispy outside and run away? Either way, I call it a win. And hey, if you were actually looking for slow cooker chicken breasts, I admire your patience… but you should definitely give this one a shot instead.

Happy air frying, friends!