Description
This Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe offers a flavorful and elegant meal that’s surprisingly simple to prepare. Featuring tender chicken breasts rolled with savory ham and creamy Swiss cheese, coated in a golden, crispy breadcrumb crust, it’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions. With versatile preparation methods including frying or baking, this classic dish delivers a perfect balance of juicy, salty, and melty flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 4 slices thin sliced ham
Coating
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Seasonings & Cooking Fats
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Butter or oil, for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Breasts: Carefully pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch. This ensures even cooking and makes rolling easier without tearing.
- Layer Ham and Cheese: Place a slice of ham and a slice of Swiss cheese on each flattened chicken breast, keeping the layers neat without overfilling to facilitate rolling.
- Roll and Secure: Tightly roll the chicken around the filling, tucking in the edges. Secure each roll with toothpicks or kitchen twine to maintain shape during cooking.
- Coat the Rolls: Lightly dredge each roll in flour, dip into the beaten eggs, then thoroughly coat with panko breadcrumbs for a crispy, golden crust.
- Cook to Perfection: Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear the rolls until golden brown on all sides. Transfer to a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
Notes
- Use a meat mallet to ensure even thickness for easy rolling and consistent cooking.
- Be generous with the cheese to achieve a creamy, melty center.
- Secure rolls firmly with toothpicks to prevent unrolling when cooking.
- Choose panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness and crunch.
- Allow cooked rolls to rest a few minutes before serving to lock in juices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg