Description
Classic Chicken Cordon Bleu is a comforting, elegant dish featuring tender chicken breasts filled with Swiss cheese and deli ham, breaded to a crispy golden brown, and baked to perfection. This recipe offers a perfect blend of creamy, savory, and crunchy textures that make it a favorite for any occasion.
Ingredients
Chicken and Filling
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 slices Swiss cheese (or Gruyère cheese)
- 4 slices deli ham
Breading and 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 and Garnish
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare it for baking the chicken after searing.
- Pound the Chicken: Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Gently pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin until an even thickness of about 1/2 inch is achieved, ensuring even cooking.
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder evenly over both sides of each chicken breast to enhance flavors.
- Assemble the Rolls: Lay a slice of ham and Swiss cheese on each flattened chicken breast. Roll each breast tightly around the filling and secure the edges with toothpicks to prevent filling from leaking out during cooking.
- Prepare the Breading Station: Arrange three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs. This will make the breading process smooth and organized.
- Bread the Chicken Rolls: Dredge each chicken roll first in flour, shaking off excess. Then dip into the beaten eggs, followed by coating thoroughly in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs stick well.
- Sear the 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. Avoid overcrowding the pan by cooking in batches if necessary.
- Bake the Chicken: Transfer the seared chicken rolls to a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Bake until the chicken is fully cooked through and the cheese inside has melted.
- Serve: Remove toothpicks carefully before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and enjoy your classic Chicken Cordon Bleu!
Notes
- Using panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs adds extra crunch.
- If you don’t have a meat mallet, use a rolling pin or heavy pan to pound the chicken.
- To ensure chicken cooks evenly, make sure to pound the breasts to uniform thickness.
- You can substitute Gruyère cheese for Swiss cheese for a richer flavor.
- Be careful not to overcrowd the skillet during searing to achieve a proper golden crust.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking before slicing to retain juices.