Tavuk Göğsü - Turkish Chicken Breast Pudding

5 from 1 vote

Tavuk Göğsü, also known as Turkish Chicken Breast Pudding, is a unique dessert that has been a favorite among Turkish people for centuries.

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Turkish

Diet: Halal, Low Fat, Vegetarian

Servings: portions

Calories: 367kcal

Place the chicken breast in a pot and cover it with cold water.
Bring the water to a boil on medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and let the chicken simmer for about 20-30 minutes or until it's fully cooked.
Once cooked, place the chicken breast into a container and fill it with enough water to cover it.
Seal the top with plastic wrap and refrigerate. For the best results, leave it overnight, but a 4-5 hour waiting period is also sufficient.
After soaking, shred the chicken breast by hand and change the water. Repeat this process about 6-7 times, changing the water each time and shredding again. The most time-consuming part of this recipe is the shredding of the chicken, but doing this step correctly enhances its flavor.
After the chicken pieces have completely separated into fibers, squeeze out the water and set them aside.

Place 1 tablespoon of sugar and the mastic in a mortar and pestle, and grind them thoroughly. Then, set the mixture aside.
Pour ¾ of the milk and sugar into a saucepan.
Heat it over medium heat until it comes to a gentle boil.
In a separate bowl, combine the remaining milk with cornflour and starch to create a slurry.
Add the slurry into boiling milk and stir continuously to avoid it clumping until the mixture comes to a boil and thickens.
Stir in the chicken breast meat and let it simmer for another 10 minutes, until it has thickened and become smooth.
Remove the pan from the heat, add the mastic (or and vanilla paste) along with the butter, and blitz the mixture with a hand blender for a few minutes.
Whisk the mixture with a balloon whisk for a few minutes and then pour it into a baking dish or individual bowls.
Allow the pudding to cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate it for a few hours or until it's completely set. This usually takes about 4 hours or overnight.

Once set, remove the pudding from the refrigerator.
Dust the top generously with cinnamon powder for added flavor and a beautiful presentation.
Sprinkle on some ground pistachio or any other nuts you prefer.
Cut it into squares or diamond shapes and serve your homemade Tavuk Göğsü chilled.

Use fresh chicken breast from your local butcher for that added level of freshness, rather than the supermarket-packaged ones.
Give the chicken breast enough time to soak in water. Overnight soaking is ideal, but if you're short on time, 4-5 hours will work as well.
Take your time when shredding the chicken breast. Make sure the fibers are separated completely for a smooth pudding texture.
While soaking and shredding the chicken, change the water several times. This helps remove any unwanted flavors.
Adjust the sugar to your taste. If you prefer a sweeter dessert, you can add more sugar, but be mindful not to make it overly sweet.
When blending the pudding mixture, use a hand blender for a few minutes until it's smooth and creamy.
Let the pudding cool to room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator. Remember to allow it a few hours to set nicely, so be sure to plan ahead.