Description
Classic Chicken Cordon Bleu is a comforting and elegant dish featuring tender chicken breasts stuffed with savory ham and melted Swiss cheese, breaded and pan-fried to a golden crisp, then finished in the oven. Perfect for a hearty dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Filling
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 slices Swiss cheese (or Gruyère cheese)
- 4 slices deli ham
Breading & Seasoning
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cooking Fats & Garnish
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the chicken rolls after searing.
- Pound Chicken: Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the chicken to an even 1/2-inch thickness for uniform cooking.
- Season Chicken: Season both sides of each chicken breast with salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to enhance flavor.
- Assemble Rolls: Lay a slice of ham and a slice of Swiss cheese on each chicken breast. Fold the chicken tightly around the filling, forming a roll, and secure with toothpicks to keep the filling contained while cooking.
- Prepare Breading Station: Arrange three shallow dishes: place flour in one, beaten eggs in another, and breadcrumbs in the third to bread the chicken rolls sequentially.
- Bread Chicken Rolls: Coat each chicken roll first in flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs well.
- Sear Rolls: Heat olive oil and melted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken rolls for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown, working in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Bake: Transfer the browned chicken rolls to a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until fully cooked through and the cheese is melted inside.
- Finish and Serve: Remove toothpicks carefully before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm for the ultimate comfort meal.
Notes
- Use panko breadcrumbs for a crispier crust.
- Ensure chicken is pounded evenly for uniform cooking.
- If ham slices are thick, consider thinning them to make rolling easier.
- Rest cooked chicken for a few minutes before slicing to retain juices.
- Can be served with mustard sauce or creamy mushroom sauce for extra flavor.
