Polish Breaded Chicken Cutlets - Kotlet Kurczeta

By
Barbara Rolek
Barbara Rolek
Barbara Rolek is a former chef who became a cooking school instructor and award-winning food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 06/23/21
Polish Breaded Chicken Cutlets - Kotlet Kurczeta

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 40 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
808 Calories
49g Fat
45g Carbs
45g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 808
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 49g 63%
Saturated Fat 18g 89%
Cholesterol 204mg 68%
Sodium 872mg 38%
Total Carbohydrate 45g 16%
Dietary Fiber 2g 9%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 45g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 109mg 8%
Iron 4mg 24%
Potassium 418mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

The Poles say chicken kiev, kotlet kurczeta, originated in the Polish city of Kijow, while the French say it was invented by Nicolas Francois Appert in the 18th century and adopted by Empress Elizabeth Petrovna (1741–1762) of Russia who preferred French foods and fashions. It is also thought early New York restaurants trying to please the many Russian immigrants gave it the moniker "kiev" which, in turn, was taken back to Europe and adopted there.

Whoever invented it deserves a medal of honor. Breaded chicken and pork cutlets are common main course offerings in Polish homes.

Ingredients

  • 4 (4-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cold, cut into 4 pieces

  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour, or as needed for dredging

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 teaspoon water, to beat with the large egg

  • 1 1/2 cups fine breadcrumbs, or as needed for breading

  • Oil, for frying

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Polish Breaded Chicken Cutlets - Kotlet Kurczeta ingredients

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  2. Remove fat and any cartilage from chicken breasts. Pound each to 1/4-inch thickness between two pieces of plastic wrap. Season both sides with salt and pepper.

    pound chicken pieces on a wood board

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  3. Place 1 piece butter in center of each breast and roll as for an egg roll or burrito. At this point, the breasts can be placed in the freezer for 30 minutes to ensure the butter becomes firm again and won't leak out in the cooking process.

    roll chicken around a piece of butter

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  4. Dredge breasts in flour, then egg wash and then in breadcrumbs. Repeat, double breading the cutlets. Let them dry for 10 minutes before frying.

    Dredge breasts in flour, then egg wash and then in breadcrumbs

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  5. Heat 1 inch of canola oil in large skillet over medium-low heat. Slowly fry cutlets on all sides, for a total of about 15-20 minutes. Remove from pan, drain on paper towels and serve. Be careful when you cut into these, the butter will squirt out!

    Polish Breaded Chicken Cutlets - Kotlet Kurczeta frying in a skillet

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga