Description
Rich, creamy chicken cordon bleu delivers a French-inspired culinary masterpiece that blends tender chicken, melted Swiss cheese, and savory ham into one irresistible dish. Crispy golden breadcrumbs and elegant flavor combinations invite you to savor each perfectly balanced bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 4 slices ham
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
Breading and Coating Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) milk
- 1/3 cup (40 grams) breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup (25 grams) parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter
Sauce Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (42 grams) butter
- 3 tablespoons (23 grams) flour
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) milk
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/3 cup (33 grams) parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F, creating an ideal environment for crispy, golden-brown chicken.
- Carefully butterfly the chicken breasts, ensuring an even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Layer thin slices of ham and Swiss cheese inside each chicken breast, creating a luxurious internal filling.
- Carefully roll the chicken breasts, tucking in the edges to seal the delicate ham and cheese interior.
- Secure each rolled chicken bundle with toothpicks to prevent unraveling during cooking.
- Whisk eggs and milk together in a shallow dish, creating a smooth binding liquid.
- Combine breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese in a separate dish for a crunchy exterior coating.
- Dredge each chicken roll first in the egg mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Immediately roll the egg-coated chicken in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat and lightly brown the chicken rolls on all sides.
- Transfer the browned chicken rolls to a baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- For the accompanying sauce, melt butter in a saucepan and whisk in flour to create a smooth roux.
- Gradually pour in milk, continuously stirring to prevent lumps and achieve a silky consistency.
- Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and a hint of nutmeg, simmering until thickened and creamy.
- Remove toothpicks from chicken before serving and drizzle with the prepared sauce.
Notes
- Select thin chicken breasts to ensure even rolling and cooking without tearing.
- Pound chicken to uniform thickness around 1/4 inch for perfect texture and consistent cooking.
- Freeze cheese and ham briefly before assembling to prevent oozing during cooking and maintain structural integrity.
- Use toothpicks sparingly and remove before serving to keep the elegant presentation intact.
- Pat chicken dry before coating to help breadcrumbs adhere better and create a crispier exterior.
- Choose Swiss or Gruyère cheese for authentic flavor and excellent melting properties.
- Seal roll edges completely to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
- Try whole wheat breadcrumbs for a healthier alternative without compromising crunch.
- Allow chicken to rest 5 minutes after baking to redistribute juices and maintain moisture.
- Try prosciutto or turkey ham for different flavor profiles and dietary variations.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 542 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1020 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 195 mg