Description
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a classic dish featuring tender chicken breasts rolled around savory ham and Swiss cheese, coated in a crispy breadcrumb crust, pan-seared for a golden finish, and then baked to perfection. This flavorful recipe combines creamy, melty cheese with the smoky saltiness of ham for a comforting yet elegant meal that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Filling
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 slices of ham (or your preferred choice of meat)
- 4 slices of Swiss cheese
Breading Mixture
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Egg Wash and Cooking Fats
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the chicken rolls after searing.
- Prepare Chicken Rolls: Lay the chicken breasts flat on a cutting board. Top each with a slice of ham and a slice of Swiss cheese. Carefully roll up each chicken breast, keeping the filling inside, and secure with toothpicks as necessary.
- Prepare Coatings: In a shallow dish, mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. In a second shallow dish, place the beaten eggs. In a third dish, spread the breadcrumbs for the final coating.
- Coat Chicken Rolls: Dredge each chicken roll in the flour mixture, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally roll in the breadcrumbs. Press gently to ensure an even and thorough coating.
- Sear Chicken Rolls: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the coated chicken rolls and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until each side is golden brown and crisp.
- Bake to Finish: Transfer the seared chicken rolls to a baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese inside has melted.
- Serve: Remove toothpicks carefully before serving. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then slice or serve whole with your choice of sides.
Notes
- Use toothpicks to secure the chicken rolls to prevent the filling from spilling out during cooking.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- For extra crispiness, you can spray the rolls with a light coating of cooking spray before baking.
- Feel free to substitute ham with turkey or prosciutto, and Swiss cheese with Gruyere or mozzarella for different flavor profiles.
- Resting the chicken after baking helps retain juiciness before slicing.
