Description
This Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe features tender chicken breasts stuffed with gooey Swiss cheese and savory beef ham, then breaded and fried to golden perfection. Topped with a creamy garlic cheese sauce, this dish combines crispy textures and rich flavors for a delicious and satisfying meal, ready in just 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Preparation
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
Filling
- 16 slices Swiss cheese
- ½ pound thinly sliced beef ham
Breading Station
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- Peanut or vegetable oil, for frying
Cheese Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- Salt and pepper, to season
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts. Place each breast between plastic wrap or inside a zip-top bag and pound with a flat mallet or rolling pin until about ¼ inch thick and even in thickness. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Assemble the Chicken Cordon Bleu: Lay one pounded chicken breast flat on a clean surface. Place two slices of Swiss cheese at one end, then add a couple of slices of beef ham on top. Carefully roll the chicken breast from the filled end, tucking the sides in as you roll to encase the filling tightly. Secure with kitchen twine if desired to prevent unrolling. Repeat the process with remaining breasts.
- Coat for Crispy Perfection: Set up a dredging station with three shallow dishes: one with all-purpose flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs. Lightly coat each chicken roll in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the beaten eggs, then generously coat with panko breadcrumbs, pressing to adhere. Let the coated chicken rest for 10 minutes to help the breading set.
- Fry to Golden Brown Deliciousness: Pour about ½ inch of peanut or vegetable oil into a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Carefully place the breaded chicken rolls into the hot oil, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Fry each side for 4 to 6 minutes, turning carefully to ensure an even golden brown crust. Check that the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove from oil and drain on a wire rack.
- Create a Velvety Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to form a roux, cooking for 1 to 2 minutes while stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in the milk to avoid lumps, cooking until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the sauce warm, drizzled over the fried chicken cordon bleu.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are pounded evenly for uniform cooking and easy rolling.
- Use kitchen twine to secure the rolls if you’re concerned about them unraveling during frying.
- Resting the breaded chicken before frying helps the coating adhere better and prevents it from falling off in the oil.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Peanut or vegetable oil is preferred for frying because of their high smoke points.
- The cheese sauce can be customized with additional seasonings like mustard or nutmeg for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: French-American
Keywords: Chicken Cordon Bleu, breaded chicken recipe, fried chicken breasts, cheesy chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner
