Emily Carter
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a Swiss dish that combines chicken, ham, and cheese. It is often served with a starchy side dish, such as steamed white rice, to balance out the rich flavours of the main course. For those who find plain rice too boring, garlic rice is a great alternative—it's fluffy, buttery, and loaded with garlic. If you're looking for something a little more unique, lemon risotto with mascarpone is a rich, creamy, and tangy option.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of rice | Steamed white rice |
| Flavour | Mild, buttery, garlicky |
| Texture | Fluffy |
| Purpose | To counterbalance the richness of chicken cordon bleu |
| Accompaniments | Salads, roasted vegetables, starches |
| Variations | Lemon dill rice, garlic rice, cheesy cauliflower rice |
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What You'll Learn
Steamed white rice
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a protein and fat-rich dish, so it is best paired with a starchy side to balance out the meal. Steamed white rice is a perfect choice as it has a mild flavour and won't overpower the chicken, ham, and cheese. It is also super filling.
To make steamed white rice, start by rinsing the rice in cold water several times until the water runs clear. Drain the rice in a fine-mesh sieve. Next, fill a medium saucepan with cold tap water and add the rice. Swirl the rice around with your hand until the water becomes cloudy, then slowly pour it out, ensuring you don't lose any rice down the drain. Repeat this process 2-3 more times until the water runs mostly clear, then drain well.
Now, add fresh water to the rice. The general rule is to add one and three-quarter cups of water to one cup of rice. Bring the rice and water to a boil in a heavy pot over high heat. Do not stir the rice. Once the rice begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Allow the rice to simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the water is absorbed and the rice is soft. Do not lift the lid while the rice cooks.
When the rice is cooked, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit, still covered, for 10 minutes. Finally, uncover the pan and gently fold the rice over itself a few times with a fork to fluff it up before serving.
If you want to add a little more flavour to your steamed rice, you can sauté it with garlic and butter. However, be careful not to add too many strong flavours that will overpower the Chicken Cordon Bleu.
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Rice casseroles
Chicken cordon bleu is a Swiss dish that combines chicken, ham, and cheese. It is often served with a starchy side, such as potatoes, pasta, or rice, to balance out the richness of the dish.
Ingredients
For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- Ham
- Cheese (Swiss, mozzarella, or cheddar)
- Breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- Garlic powder
- Salt and ground black pepper
- Dried oregano
- Rice
- Butter
- Onion
- Flour
- Broth
- Milk
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350-400°F. Grease a large casserole dish with butter or cooking spray.
- In a skillet, heat some butter or olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent.
- Stir in flour to make a roux and cook for a couple of minutes until golden.
- Gradually add broth and milk, whisking continuously, until the mixture thickens into a gravy.
- In a large bowl, mix cooked rice, chicken, ham, and cheese. You can also add the gravy to this mixture.
- Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared casserole dish.
- Make the breadcrumb topping by mixing breadcrumbs and butter. You can also add garlic powder and dried oregano to the breadcrumbs for extra flavor.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb topping over the casserole.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
Tips and Variations
- You can use any type of rice you prefer, such as long-grain, basmati, or brown rice.
- Feel free to use any cheese you like. Gruyere, manchego, or sharp cheddar are all great options.
- If you want to add some color and texture, serve the casserole with a side of green beans or a green salad.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or a combination of coconut and parmesan cheese.
- To make it ahead, prepare the casserole and store it in the fridge until you're ready to bake it.
Enjoy the cozy, warm, and delicious flavors of chicken cordon bleu rice casserole! It's a perfect weeknight meal for the whole family.
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Rice seasoning
Chicken cordon bleu is a Swiss dish that combines chicken, ham, and cheese. The chicken is usually breaded and fried, but it can also be baked. A popular side dish to serve with chicken cordon bleu is rice, which has a mild flavour that complements the rich umami taste of the main course.
Garlic Powder
Garlic powder is a convenient way to add garlic flavour to your rice. It can be used in the rice, on the chicken, and in the breadcrumbs. If you prefer, you can use freshly minced garlic or garlic flakes instead.
Salt and Pepper
Salt and pepper are basic seasonings that can be used to enhance the flavour of your rice. You can use any type of salt and pepper, whether it's fine, coarse, or pre-ground. Freshly ground salt and pepper are also great options.
Oregano
Although not a traditional ingredient in cordon bleu, oregano can add extra flavour to your dish. You can use dried oregano or fresh oregano, depending on your preference. It can be combined with other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley to make a delicious herb dressing.
Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs are typically used as a coating for the chicken in chicken cordon bleu. You can use unseasoned panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs. To make your own, toast bread and pulse it in a food processor. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or a combination of coconut and parmesan cheese.
Cheese
Cheese is a key ingredient in chicken cordon bleu and can also be used to enhance the flavour of your rice. Swiss cheese, mozzarella, Gruyere, manchego, or sharp cheddar can be shredded or sliced and added to the rice for a full-flavoured dish.
These seasoning ideas can be used individually or combined to create a delicious rice dish to accompany your chicken cordon bleu.
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Rice alternatives
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a protein and fat-rich dish, so it is usually accompanied by starchy sides to balance out the meal. While rice is a great option, there are plenty of alternatives to choose from.
Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that is creamy, filling, and tasty. Roasted sweet potatoes are another option, offering a salty, crispy, savoury, and slightly sweet side that can be paired with almost anything.
Pasta
Lemon dill rice is a great side for chicken, so you could try a pasta alternative such as garlic parmesan orzo with caramelized shallots. This is a savoury, garlicky dish with a touch of sweetness from the shallots and thyme.
Vegetables
Green beans provide a contrast in colour and texture to Chicken Cordon Bleu. They can be coated in a balsamic dressing, or cooked with tomatoes and garlic for a healthy side dish. Grilled broccolini topped with a tangy apple cider vinaigrette and marcona almonds is another tasty option.
Salads
A fresh salad is always a good choice to balance out a rich entrée like Chicken Cordon Bleu. A kale caesar salad with parmesan and homemade croutons, or a shaved brussels sprout salad with mustard and parmesan in a light red wine vinaigrette are both crunchy and delicious.
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Rice accompaniments
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a protein- and fat-rich dish, so it is best paired with a starchy side to balance out the meal. Rice is a great option, as it is mild-flavoured and super filling.
A simple serving of steamed white rice can be a great accompaniment to Chicken Cordon Bleu. If you want to make it a little more interesting, you can sauté the rice with garlic and butter. This will add flavour without overpowering the Chicken Cordon Bleu. You can also use chicken stock instead of water to cook the rice and add extra flavour.
Lemon dill rice is another option that pairs well with chicken. It is easy to make and can be served with other meats like beef, pork, or fish.
If you want to include rice as part of your Chicken Cordon Bleu dish, you could try a Chicken Cordon Bleu Rice Bake. This is a one-pot dish where the rice cooks at the bottom of the pan in the oven. You then add the chicken, ham, cheese, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping.
Another option is Cheesy Cauliflower Rice, which is a healthier alternative to regular rice.
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Frequently asked questions
Steamed white rice is a great option to go with chicken cordon bleu as it has a very mild flavour and is super filling. You can also make garlic rice by sauteing the rice with garlic and butter, or lemon dill rice.
Chicken cordon bleu is a rich dish, so it goes well with roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or carrots. You can also serve it with a salad, mashed potatoes, or French fries.
Chicken cordon bleu is a dish that combines chicken, ham, and cheese. The chicken is flattened, then rolled up with the ham and cheese, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried. It is a Swiss dish, despite its French name.
