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🇹🇷 Turkey · Dessert

Tavuk Göğsü (Turkish Chicken Breast Pudding)

25 min
A relaxed effort
🔥 220 kcal
Nicely balanced
🍽 4 servings
Great for the family

By eatmundo · July 5, 2026

Tavuk Göğsü (Turkish Chicken Breast Pudding)🇹🇷 TRAI-generated image

A surprisingly delightful and ancient Ottoman dessert, Tavuk Göğsü is a creamy, sweet pudding with a unique secret ingredient: finely shredded chicken breast. When cooked slowly with milk and sugar, the chicken becomes almost undetectable in texture, lending a distinctive richness and silkiness that must be experienced to be believed.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  • 1

    Start by preparing the chicken: Place 1 small (150-200g) boneless, skinless chicken breast in a small pot with enough water to cover it. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until fully cooked. Drain, rinse under cold water, and let cool completely.

  • 2

    Once cooled, shred the chicken breast incredibly finely. The goal is to separate it into fibers almost like cotton. You can use your fingers, two forks, or even a food processor for a very fine texture, ensuring no lumps remain.

  • 3

    In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine 4 cups of cold milk, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of rice flour, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until there are no lumps.

  • 4

    Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, until the mixture thickens and comes to a gentle boil. It should coat the back of a spoon. This constant stirring is key to a smooth, lump-free pudding!

  • 5

    Reduce the heat to low, then add the finely shredded chicken breast and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter to the thickened pudding. Continue to stir for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the butter to melt completely, creating a luxurious consistency.

  • 6

    Pour the hot pudding into individual serving bowls or a single large dish. Ensure the chicken fibers are evenly distributed. Let the puddings cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until thoroughly chilled and set.

  • 7

    Before serving, generously dust the top of each Tavuk Göğsü with ground cinnamon. This classic garnish adds a beautiful aroma and visual appeal to your unique and delicious Turkish chicken breast pudding. Enjoy cold!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tavuk Göğsü?+

Tavuk Göğsü is a milk-based Turkish dessert thickened with rice flour and cornstarch. It is notable for the inclusion of finely shredded chicken breast in the pudding, which provides a unique fibrous texture, and is typically served chilled as a sweet snack or dessert.

How should the chicken breast be prepared for Tavuk Göğsü to achieve the correct texture?+

The cooked chicken breast needs to be very finely shredded and then thoroughly pounded until it almost disintegrates and becomes fibrous. This process is crucial for the pudding's unique silky-chewy texture.

How do I know when the Tavuk Göğsü pudding has cooked to the right thickness?+

Stir the pudding constantly over medium heat until it thickens significantly and coats the back of a spoon without running off. It should be rich and creamy, resembling a thick custard.

What is the best way to prevent lumps when adding the rice flour and cornstarch to Tavuk Göğsü?+

Always dissolve the rice flour and cornstarch completely in a small amount of cold milk or water before adding them to the warm mixture. Whisk this slurry vigorously as you incorporate it to ensure a smooth pudding.

Is it possible to omit the chicken breast from Tavuk Göğsü, or what is its main role in the pudding?+

While the flavor is very subtle, the chicken breast is essential for the traditional Tavuk Göğsü's signature chewy, fibrous texture. Omitting it would result in a standard milk pudding, losing its distinctive character.

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