Description
Chicken Cordon Bleu brings together ham and Swiss cheese in a golden-crusted chicken breast that feels like a warm hug from France. Crispy on the outside and creamy inside, this classic dish turns dinner into something special that will make your whole family smile.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 slices deli ham
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
Breading and Seasoning:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Gently pound each chicken breast to a uniform ½-inch thickness using a meat mallet. This helps ensure even cooking and tender meat.
- Layer one slice of ham and one slice of Swiss cheese in the center of each flattened chicken breast. Roll the chicken tightly around the filling, securing with 2-3 toothpicks to prevent unrolling during cooking.
- Prepare three shallow dishes: first with 1 cup all-purpose flour, second with 2 beaten eggs, and third with 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese.
- Carefully dredge each rolled chicken breast first in flour, then dip completely in egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly with seasoned breadcrumb mixture. Press breadcrumbs gently to help them adhere.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat at 325°F. Carefully place breaded chicken rolls in the pan, cooking 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Transfer browned chicken rolls to a preheated 350°F oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer.
- While chicken bakes, prepare optional cream sauce by melting 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan. Whisk in ½ cup heavy cream, ¼ cup chicken broth, and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Remove toothpicks from chicken before serving. Drizzle with optional mustard cream sauce and garnish as desired.
Notes
- For the most tender chicken, pound the breasts between plastic wrap to an even 1/2-inch thickness, which helps them cook uniformly and roll more smoothly.
- Choose good quality ham and Swiss cheese, as these will significantly impact the overall flavor of your dish and create a more luxurious result.
- When rolling the chicken, tuck the edges in tightly and secure with multiple toothpicks to prevent the filling from leaking during cooking.
- If avoiding deep frying, bake the breaded chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet for crispier results that drain excess oil and maintain a crunchy exterior.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg