Name: Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: French
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

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.