The Ultimate Guide to Making Delicious Chicken Cordon Bleu

Introduction

Chicken cordon bleu is a classic French dish that has been enjoyed by food lovers for generations. This dish consists of chicken breast, ham, and Swiss cheese. In this article, you will learn how to make chicken cordon bleu step-by-step and with ease.

Preparing the Ingredients

Step 1: Gathering the necessary ingredients

Before anything else, it is essential to gather all the necessary ingredients for making chicken cordon bleu. Here are the ingredients that you will need:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts pounded flat to about ¼ inch thickness
8 thin slices of ham
4 slices Swiss cheese
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 egg yolks beaten with 2 tbsp water
1 cup bread crumbs
Salt and pepper (to taste)
Cooking oil or butter for frying

Step 2: Cleaning the chicken breast

Cleaning and deboning the chicken breast is an important step in making chicken cordon bleu. Here’s how you can clean and debone a chicken breast:

Rinse the chicken breasts under running water and cut off any visible fat.
Lay each breast flat on a cutting board and remove any visible bones using a knife or kitchen scissors.
To make sure there are no remaining small bones or cartilage, use your fingers to feel along the edges of each chicken piece.
Rinse each cleaned chicken breast under cold running water and use paper towels to pat them dry before use.

Step 3: Pounding the chicken breast

It’s important to pound the chicken breast for maximum flavor and tenderness. Here’s how to do it:

Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap.
Gently pound the chicken breast with a meat mallet, starting from the center of the meat and working outwards in all directions until the chicken is about ¼ inch thickness overall.
Remove the plastic wrap and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.

Preparing the Stuffing

Step 4: Assembling the filling

Now that you have your cleaned and pounded chicken breasts, it’s time to assemble the filling. Here are the ingredients needed for making the filling:

8 thin slices of ham
4 slices of Swiss cheese

Once you have assembled these ingredients, follow these instructions to make your filling:

Lay one slice of ham and one slice of Swiss cheese on top of each piece of flattened chicken breast.
Fold each chicken piece over to completely enclose the ham and cheese mixture. Use toothpicks or cooking string to secure pre-assembled filling in preparation for dipping.

Step 5: Sealing the Pocket

To ensure that your stuffing stays inside while cooking, make sure to seal your pocket. Follow these easy steps:

Dip each stuffed chicken breast into flour first, making sure to coat both sides evenly.
Dip each floured chicken breast into beaten egg yolks mixed with water and coat both sides evenly.
Dip each egg-coated chicken breast into breadcrumbs and ensure that they are evenly coated on both sides.

Cooking/Baking

Step 6: Dipping process

There are different coating methods that you can apply to your stuffed chicken breasts. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Flour coating method: This method involves dipping your chicken breast into flour first before dipping it into egg and breadcrumb mixture. This method is great if you want a light, crispy crust.
Egg batter coating method: Also known as the Dip and Dredge coating method. It involves double dipping your chicken breast into beaten eggs before adding breadcrumbs
Breading technique: Involves dipping your chicken in flour, then in egg, and finally in breadcrumbs

Step 7: Pan-frying

To get that crispy outer layer, Chicken Cordon Bleu can be pan-fried. Follow these instructions on how to pan-fry properly:

In a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat, add enough oil or butter to coat the bottom of the pan (around 1/4 of an inch deep).
When the oil is hot, place each prepared chicken breast one at a time in the pan.
Fry each side until golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes per side.

Step 8: Baking

Baking is another cooking option for Chicken Cordon Bleu instead of pan-frying. Here’s how to do it:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Place the chicken breasts onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or sprayed with cooking spray.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

Presentation

Step 9: Garnish and presentation

After cooking your chicken cordon bleu to perfection, it’s time for presentation. Here are some tips for garnishing and presenting your dish:

Garnish with small sprigs of parsley leaves or add a few slices of fresh tomato around the edges of the plate for additional color and flavor.
Place the stuffed chicken on top of a bed of steamed asparagus, green beans or mashed potato, and drizzle a bit of gravy around the edges for better appeal.

Tips and Tricks

Step 10: Pro-tips for preparing delicious chicken cordon bleu

Here are some pro-tips that can assist you when preparing this dish:

Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken breast gently. Over-pounding may lead to less flavorful chicken or even torn meat.
Use cold oil or butter that is not smoking hot. This will allow the chicken breast to cook evenly without getting too brown quickly on the outer surface.
To keep track of cooking time, use a kitchen timer set to 5-7 minute intervals depending on the desired outcome.
If you’re unsure about whether or not the chicken is cooked enough, use a thermometer. Inserting it into the thickest part of the chicken should read 165°F (75°C).

Step 11: Storage tips

If you happen to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. To reheat leftovers, bake in an oven preheated to 375°F (190°C) until heated through.

Step 12: Recipe Variations

You can add other ingredients to the stuffing mixture to create variations in tastes and flavors. Some recipe variations include adding herbs such as thyme, parsley leaves, marjoram or pairing the dish with other sauce alternatives such as mushroom sauce, white sauce or béarnaise sauce.

Conclusion

Chicken Cordon Bleu is delicious and fun to prepare! With this article’s easy-to-follow steps and pro tips, you can make your own homemade chicken cordon bleu right in your kitchen. With a few simple ingredients, some patience, and a little bit of know-how, you’ll be well on your way to cooking up this classic French dish for your next dinner party or family meal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe

1. How long does it take to prepare chicken cordon bleu?

Preparation time for this recipe usually takes about 20-30 minutes, but the cooking time could take up to 35-40 minutes depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts.

2. What are the key ingredients for chicken cordon bleu?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Ham slices
Swiss cheese
All-purpose flour
Eggwash (beaten egg and milk)
Panko breadcrumbs
Salt and pepper
Paprika
Olive oil or cooking spray

3. Can I use a different type of cheese for this recipe?

Absolutely! Although Swiss cheese is the traditional choice for chicken cordon bleu, you can use any kind of cheese that you prefer - like cheddar, provolone, or even mozzarella!

4. Can I make chicken cordon bleu ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the dish ahead of time, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to a day before baking.

5. Can I bake chicken cordon bleu instead of frying it?

Definitely! You can bake it in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

6. What side dishes go well with chicken cordon bleu?

Mashed potatoes
Roasted vegetables
Green beans
Cauliflower rice
Salad greens with vinaigrette dressing

7. Can I freeze chicken cordon bleu?

Yes, you can freeze it either before or after baking it. Wrap the unbaked chicken cordon bleu in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or store the cooked dish in a freezer-safe container.