Air Fryer Balmoral Chicken

This Air Fryer Balmoral Chicken is a modern Scottish classic. Tender chicken breast is stuffed with haggis and wrapped in salty bacon then air fried and served with a rich creamy Scotch whisky sauce. It’s so delicious and a great introduction to the taste of haggis.

Why should I make Air Fryer Balmoral Chicken?

This dish is surprisingly easy to make and made even easier with your air fryer. But despite the simplicity of the recipe it looks stunning and tastes even better. It’s ideal to serve at a dinner party or to celebrate Scottish poet, Robert Burns birthday at a Burns Supper on 25th Janaury.

What is Balmoral Chicken?

This chicken and haggis dish is named after the Royal Estate of Balmoral in the Highlands of Scotland, the Scottish home of the British Royal family. The origin of the dish is unclear and it is sometimes known as Highland Chicken or Braemar Chicken. What is not in dispute is the popularity of this tasty recipe which is seen on the menu of many restaurants and pubs.

What is an air fryer?

An air fryer is a bit like a mini oven. However, the element is only at the top of the air fryer and it uses a powerful fan to circulate the heat. This combination of intense heat and circulation means that food crisps up quickly.

Air fryers were originally sold for their ability to create ‘fried’ food with less fat. But the air fryer has developed and more people are recognising the potential to cook and bake all kinds of foods in this way.

More Air Fryer Recipes from Farmersgirl Kitchen

What ingredients do I need to make Air Fryer Balmoral Chicken?

You only need a few ingredients to make Balmoral Chicken. Some of them you are likely to be familiar with, but for the others I have provided substitutes. Keep reading to find out more.

• chicken breasts 
• bacon
• haggis
• double (heavy) cream
• butter
• Scotch Whisky

A full list of the ingredients and the required quantities is found in the recipe card at the end of this article.

Can I substitute chicken thighs for the chicken breasts?

You can substitute chicken thighs if you prefer. You will have to buy large boneless chicken thighs or remove the bones yourself. I find that chicken thighs are not as easy to stuff with haggis and when you slice them they don’t look as ‘clean’ as the chicken breast.

What kind of bacon should I use to wrap the chicken?

I recommend that you use streaky bacon because the fat in the bacon helps to keep the chicken moist while it cooks. You can use either smoked or unsmoked, I prefer smoked but it is a matter of personal taste and either will do. It’s about protecting the chicken as well as adding flavour.

What is haggis?

Haggis is a type of spicy sausage made with lamb, beef, oats, onions and spices. Every Scottish butcher will have a slightly different recipe but the basic recipe will be the same. It you like a meaty, peppery flavour then you will definitely like haggis.

What kind of haggis should I buy?

Air Fryer Balmoral Chicken doesn’t use a lot of haggis, so for this recipe I either buy the ‘wee (small) haggis’ in the picure above or sliced haggis. Sliced haggis is usually fried and served with a full Scottish breakfast but it’s still the same haggis. The slices also freeze well, so you can use what you need and freeze the rest.

What can I substitute for haggis in Air Fryer Balmoral Chicken?

Not everyone can easily access haggis and I know some people would prefer not to eat it so I’m giving you some options that will not give exactly the same flavours as meat haggis but are also good to eat.

Vegetarian Haggis

You can buy vegetarian haggis which is usually a mix of vegetables, oatmeal, seeds and spices. Although the dish is not vegetarian, some people find vegetarian haggis less scary than the original.

Sausagemeat (sausages)

Try to get beef sausages as the flavour is closer to haggis. But you can use pork if you can’t get beef. Remove the sausagemeat from the skins and season well with lots of freshly ground pepper and a little finely grated nutmeg or mace.

Stuffing Mix

You can make up a dried stuffing mix using the instructions on the pack and use this to fill the chicken.

I don’t have any Scotch Whisky for the sauce, what can I use instead?

If you are happy to use alcohol but don’t have any whisky then you can substitute brandy, bourbon or Irish Whiskey. If you prefer not to use alcohol then simply warm the cream and the butter and add half a teaspoon of brown sugar to the sauce.

Can I prepare Air Fryer Balmoral Chicken ahead of time?

Yes, you can stuff fresh chicken breasts and wrap in bacon, then store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before you air fry it. I recommend that you let the chicken come to room temperature for 20 minutes before air frying or you may need to cook them for longer.

You can also cook the Air Fryer Balmoral Chicken, slice it and let it cool, then store covered in the fridge until you are ready to eat. Reheat the chicken in the microwave until piping hot, or cover with foil and reheat in your air fryer or oven.

Can I freeze Balmoral Chicken?

I don’t recommend that you freeze the raw stuffed and wrapped chicken as it would need to thoroughly defrost and there is a risk that the stuffing would not be completely thawed. You can, however, freeze the ingredients for the recipe and once thawed you can use these to make up the chicken parcels.

If is possible to freeze cooked Balmoral Chicken. Cut it into slices and open freeze the slices, then store for up to 3 months in a freezer proof container. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat, covered, in the microwave until piping hot.

Can I increase the quantities?

Yes, you can easily increase the quantities for this recipe. I use two chicken breasts in the recipe but you can increase this to four or six or even eight if you have a large double air fryer. Just increase all the other ingredients as the cooking time will be the same.

Vegetarian

This dish contains meat and it not suitable for vegetarians.

Gluten Free

Gluten free haggis is now much more easily available, just check that the ingredients are suitable for your dietary requirements.

For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.

How should I serve Air Fryer Balmoral Chicken?

I like to serve Air Fryer Roasted Swede (Rutabaga) and a green vegetable such as fine green beans or buttered savoy cabbage for some different textures. The warm whisky cream sauce is poured over the sliced Balmoral Chicken at the table and adds a real touch of luxury.

You can serve Balmoral Chicken with any combination of vegetables that you enjoy. It’s traditional to serve haggis with Champit Tatties (mashed potatoes) and Bashit Neeps (mashed swede). And Rumbledethumps is also a great Scottish side dish, a combination of potato, swede and cabbage with a cheesy topping.