Jake Harper
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a French dish that is easy to make at home. It is made with chicken breasts, stuffed with ham and cheese, and then rolled up and secured with toothpicks. The best type of ham to use for Chicken Cordon Bleu is thinly sliced deli ham. This ensures that the ham will roll up nicely inside the chicken without tearing it. You can also add a slice of cheese to the ham before rolling it up. The most popular type of cheese used is Swiss cheese, but feel free to use any other cheese of your choice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of ham | Smoked ham, prosciutto, or deli ham |
| Thickness of ham | Thinly sliced |
| Amount of ham | 1-2 slices per chicken breast |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken Cordon Bleu ingredients
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a French dish that is easy to make at home. It is made with chicken breasts, ham, cheese, and a few other simple ingredients.
To make Chicken Cordon Bleu, you will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The chicken breasts should be pounded thin, to about 1/4-inch thick, using a meat mallet or rolling pin. This process ensures that the chicken is an even thickness and allows for easier rolling.
The type of ham commonly used for Chicken Cordon Bleu is thinly sliced deli ham. It is important to avoid thick slices of ham as they may tear the chicken or affect the rolling process. Prosciutto or smoked turkey can also be used as substitutes for ham.
For the cheese, Swiss cheese is the classic choice, but other options such as Gruyère, provolone, or cheddar cheese can also be used depending on your preference. The cheese should be shredded or sliced into thin pieces to facilitate easier rolling.
In addition to the main ingredients of chicken, ham, and cheese, you will also need items for the coating or breading. This typically includes flour, eggs or egg wash, and breadcrumbs. Regular breadcrumbs can be used, or you can opt for Panko breadcrumbs for a lighter and crunchier texture. Alternatively, you can use crushed cornflakes or nuts, such as almond breadcrumbs, as a gluten-free option for a unique flavour and texture.
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Chicken preparation
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a French dish that is easy to make at home. It involves chicken breasts, thin slices of ham, and cheese, rolled up, breaded, and fried to a golden crisp. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing the chicken:
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Breasts
Choose smaller chicken breasts, about 5 to 6 ounces each. If you have larger chicken breasts, cut them in half crosswise to create thinner cutlets. Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound the chicken until it is thin and even, about 1/4 inch thick. Be careful not to pound too hard, as you don't want to tear the meat.
Step 2: Season the Chicken
Remove the top layer of plastic wrap and season each chicken breast with salt and pepper on both sides. You can also add other seasonings of your choice, such as thyme or garlic powder, to enhance the flavour.
Step 3: Layer with Ham and Cheese
Lay a slice of ham and a handful of shredded cheese on each chicken breast. Swiss cheese is the most popular choice, but you can also use Gruyère, provolone, or cheddar cheese. Make sure the ham is thinly sliced to prevent tearing the chicken when rolling.
Step 4: Roll the Chicken
Fold in the sides of the chicken breast and roll it tightly from the bottom to the top, creating a jelly roll shape. You can secure the roll with toothpicks to hold it together. Place the rolled chicken on a new piece of plastic wrap and wrap it tightly, twisting the ends to create a firm roll.
Step 5: Chill the Chicken Rolls
Chilling the chicken rolls before frying will help them hold their shape and prevent them from falling apart in the pan. Wrap the chicken rolls in plastic wrap and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to an hour.
Step 6: Bread the Chicken
Prepare a standard breading station with three shallow dishes. Place flour in the first dish, beaten eggs in the second, and breadcrumbs in the third. Dip each chicken roll in flour, then egg, and finally coat it with breadcrumbs. You can use regular breadcrumbs or Panko for a lighter, airier crunch.
Now that the chicken is prepared, it is ready to be fried or baked. Follow the remaining steps in the recipe to finish cooking and serve your delicious Chicken Cordon Bleu!
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Ham and cheese layering
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a French dish that features a chicken breast stuffed with ham and cheese, then breaded and baked or fried. The classic combination of ham and cheese in Chicken Cordon Bleu is thinly sliced deli ham and Swiss cheese. However, you can use other types of ham and cheese to add your twist to the recipe.
When preparing the ham and cheese layering, it is essential to ensure that the ham and cheese are thinly sliced. This is because the chicken breast will be rolled up around the ham and cheese, and thicker slices may make it challenging to roll the chicken neatly and securely. You can use a sharp knife to cut the ham into thin slices if needed. As for the cheese, shredded or grated cheese works well, as it will melt easily and provide a nice, even distribution of flavour.
For the ham, you can use a single slice or layer multiple slices, depending on your preference. A good rule of thumb is to use enough ham to cover the surface of the chicken breast evenly. If you want a heartier ham flavour, you can use two slices or slightly overlap the slices to ensure complete coverage. However, keep in mind that too much ham might make rolling the chicken more challenging.
Regarding the cheese, a handful of shredded cheese or a single slice of cheese is typically enough. You can adjust the amount of cheese to your taste preferences. If you want a stronger cheese flavour, you can add a second slice or increase the amount of shredded cheese. Just be mindful that too much cheese might make the rolling process trickier and could lead to cheese melting out during cooking.
Once you have prepared your ham and cheese, you can start assembling the Chicken Cordon Bleu. Place the chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound it to the desired thickness, which is typically around 1/4 inch thick. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and then spread a teaspoon of Dijon mustard on the surface, adding more or less to suit your taste.
Now, you are ready to layer the ham and cheese. Place the ham slices on the chicken breast, ensuring they cover the surface evenly. If using shredded cheese, sprinkle it over the ham, spreading it out evenly. If using slices, place them on top of the ham. Once the ham and cheese are in place, you can carefully roll the chicken breast, starting from the bottom and working your way up. Secure the roll with toothpicks if needed.
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Breading and cooking
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a French dish with Swiss origins. It involves chicken breasts that are pounded thin, layered with ham and cheese, rolled up, and then breaded and cooked. The traditional method of cooking this dish is to fry it, but it can also be baked.
Breading
The standard breading procedure for Chicken Cordon Bleu is to dredge the stuffed and rolled chicken in flour, followed by beaten egg, and finally bread crumbs. You can use traditional breadcrumbs, or Panko for a lighter, airier crunch. For a gluten-free option, gluten-free breadcrumbs can be used.
Cooking
Frying
To fry your Chicken Cordon Bleu, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon each of butter and oil to the pan. Brown the chicken on all sides, then put it in an oven preheated to 400°F for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
Baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a baking dish or rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Dip each chicken roll in melted butter and then into the breadcrumb mixture before placing them in the baking dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Air Frying
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F, lightly spray the breaded chicken with oil, and cook for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway through.
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Sides and sauces
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a juicy, crispy, and cheesy dish that goes well with a variety of sides and sauces. The dish itself is rich and indulgent, so it is best to balance it out with something fresh, crisp, or carby. Here are some ideas for sides and sauces to accompany your Chicken Cordon Bleu:
Sides
- Green vegetables: Broccoli, asparagus, and green beans are all great options to pair with Chicken Cordon Bleu. You can roast or blanch these vegetables to add a healthy and tasty element to your meal.
- Salad: A big green salad with a lemon vinaigrette is the perfect side during warmer months. It will help to refresh your palate and balance the richness of the Chicken Cordon Bleu.
- Cauliflower: Roasted or mashed cauliflower is another excellent low-carb option. For an extra indulgent twist, try Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower.
- Potatoes: If you're not watching your carb intake, mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes are a delicious option to consider.
Sauces
- Dijon sauce: A simple Dijon sauce is a classic choice for Chicken Cordon Bleu. It adds a sharp and tangy flavour to the dish. You can also make it extra creamy by adding some cream or mayonnaise.
- Dijon-Parmesan sauce: For an even more indulgent sauce, try a Dijon-Parmesan sauce. The combination of Dijon mustard and Parmesan cheese creates a sharp and savoury flavour that complements the dish perfectly.
- Mayonnaise and mustard: A mixture of mayonnaise and mustard is a simple yet effective sauce option. It adds a creamy and tangy element to the dish.
- Almond topping: For a crunchy and healthy alternative to traditional breadcrumbs, try using almond crumbs as a topping or as a binder for your sauce.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a French stuffed chicken dish. It is made with chicken breasts, ham, cheese, and a creamy Dijon sauce.
Thinly sliced deli ham is best for Chicken Cordon Bleu as it is easier to roll and less likely to tear the chicken.
Yes, you can replace ham with prosciutto or smoked turkey.
To prepare the chicken, you should first cut each chicken breast horizontally in half. Then, place the chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound them into thin, even pieces.
Swiss cheese is the most popular type of cheese used in Chicken Cordon Bleu. However, you can use Gruyère, provolone, or cheddar cheese as substitutes.
