Description
Culinary magic unfolds with this classic Chicken Cordon Bleu, where golden-crusted chicken meets creamy Swiss cheese sauce. Crispy exterior and tender interior promise a delightful dining experience you won’t soon forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 slices ham
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
Coating and Seasoning:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking dish with a light coating of oil or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Lay chicken breasts between plastic wrap and gently flatten to an even thickness using a meat mallet, ensuring uniform cooking. Season both surfaces with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
- Layer a slice of ham and Swiss cheese onto each chicken breast, carefully rolling the meat tightly to encase the filling completely. Secure the rolls with toothpicks to maintain their shape during cooking.
- Create a coating station: dust each chicken roll in flour, dip into beaten eggs, then generously coat with breadcrumbs for a crispy exterior.
- In a skillet heated to medium, brown the chicken rolls for 3-4 minutes per side until golden, developing a rich, crisp crust.
- Transfer the browned chicken rolls to the prepared baking dish and roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- While the chicken bakes, prepare the Swiss cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan. Whisk in flour to create a roux, then gradually incorporate heavy cream until smooth.
- Add shredded Swiss cheese and a touch of garlic powder to the sauce, stirring continuously until the cheese melts and the mixture becomes silky and uniform. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove toothpicks from the chicken rolls, plate the crispy-coated chicken, and generously drizzle the warm, creamy Swiss cheese sauce over each portion. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Choose thin chicken breasts for easier rolling and more even cooking.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help breading stick better and create crispier exterior.
- Avoid overstuffing chicken rolls to prevent cheese from leaking during cooking.
- Freeze chicken rolls for 15 minutes before breading to help coating adhere more effectively.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches safe internal temperature without overcooking.
- Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives for celiac or gluten-sensitive diets.
- Swap ham with turkey or prosciutto for different flavor variations.
- Store leftover sauce separately to prevent soggy chicken when reheating.
- Allow chicken to rest 5 minutes after baking to help retain moisture and make cutting easier.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 670 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg