Ingredients
- For the Butter:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
- For the Chicken:
- 4 chicken breast fillets (about 6 ounces each)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Make the butter: In a small bowl, mix softened butter, garlic, parsley, and lemon zest (if using) until well combined.
- Chill the butter: Place butter mixture on plastic wrap and form into a log. Wrap and refrigerate until firm.
- Prepare chicken: Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap. Pound to ¼-inch thickness. Season with salt and pepper.
- Fill and roll: Cut the chilled butter into 4 equal pieces. Place one piece in the center of each chicken breast. Fold sides over the butter and roll tightly into a log. Wrap each rolled chicken breast in plastic wrap and freeze for 30 minutes.
- Set up breading station: Place flour (seasoned with salt and pepper) in one shallow bowl, beaten eggs in a second, and panko breadcrumbs in a third.
- Bread the chicken: Unwrap the frozen chicken. Coat in flour, dip in eggs (shaking off excess), and then coat in breadcrumbs.
- Fry: Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375ºF. Fry each chicken roll for 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Bake: Transfer chicken to a wire rack set on a baking sheet. Bake for 15–20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165ºF.
- Rest and serve: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Cut open carefully to reveal the melted herb butter center.
Notes
- Use a mortar and pestle to mix butter and herbs for smoother blending.
- Panko breadcrumbs yield the crispiest crust, but plain breadcrumbs can be used.
- Freezing the chicken before breading helps keep the shape intact and butter from leaking.
- Lemon zest is optional but adds a bright, citrusy twist to the traditional recipe.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying and Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 611
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 452mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 46g
- Cholesterol: 236mg
