Chicken Cordon Bleu is a classic dish that offers a scrumptious taste of French cuisine without the need for professional culinary skills. This dish, featuring chicken breasts stuffed with ham and cheese, then breaded and baked or fried, presents an elegant dinner option that’s surprisingly easy to prepare. It’s perfect for a special occasion or a fancy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients and Preparation
Here’s what you’ll need to make your Chicken Cordon Bleu:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 slices of ham
- 4 slices of Swiss cheese
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 cups of breadcrumbs (panko for extra crispiness)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil (if baking)
For the assembly and cooking:
- Prepare the Chicken: Start by flattening the chicken breasts to about ¼ inch thickness using a meat mallet. This helps them cook evenly and makes them easier to roll.
- Season: Sprinkle each breast with salt and pepper.
- Stuff: Place a slice of ham and a slice of Swiss cheese on each breast. Roll them up tightly and secure with toothpicks.
- Bread: Dredge each rolled chicken breast first in flour, then dip in beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs.
- Cook: You can either bake or fry the chicken. To bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius), place the chicken on a greased baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and bake for 30 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. For frying, heat oil in a pan over medium heat and fry each side until golden brown and cooked inside.
Serving and Enjoyment
Chicken Cordon Bleu is best served hot, straight from the oven or pan. It pairs beautifully with a light, lemony arugula salad or steamed green beans. For a heartier meal, serve with mashed potatoes or a pilaf of rice. A drizzle of a creamy Dijon mustard sauce can also enhance the flavors and add a delightful zing to the dish.
Why This Recipe Works
This Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe is a win for several reasons:
- Impressive yet Simple: It looks sophisticated and tastes exquisite but is straightforward to make, striking the perfect balance between elegance and ease.
- Versatile: While traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu uses ham and Swiss cheese, you can easily adapt it to include other types of cheese like Gruyere or different fillings such as spinach for a twist on the classic.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it's a dinner party or a regular family meal, this dish fits beautifully into any menu plan.
In conclusion, Chicken Cordon Bleu is a dish that promises not to disappoint. It brings a touch of sophistication to your dinner table with its succulent chicken, melty cheese, and a crispy breadcrumb coating. This recipe is not only a journey into the heart of French culinary tradition but also an exploration of how simple ingredients can be transformed into something truly special. Give it a try, and let this dish be the star of your next dinner.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Chicken Cordon Bleu is an elegant yet surprisingly straightforward dish. It features chicken breasts stuffed with ham and cheese, wrapped in a crispy breadcrumb coating. Perfect for a special dinner or a tasty weekend meal.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 slices of ham
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 cups breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Flatten chicken breasts to ¼ inch thickness. Season with salt and pepper.
- Place a slice of cheese and a slice of ham on each breast. Roll up tightly and secure with toothpicks.
- Dredge each roll in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and then roll in breadcrumbs.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken on all sides.
- Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 30 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.
Notes
- Serve with a light cream sauce or a squeeze of lemon for extra flavor.
- Ensure toothpicks are removed before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and Frying
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
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