A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chicken Cordon Bleu

Gather Your Ingredients and Tools

Before starting the process of making chicken cordon bleu, it’s essential to gather all the necessary ingredients and tools. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 slices of ham
• 4 slices of Swiss cheese
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup breadcrumbs

Tools:

• Plastic wrap
• Meat mallet
• Toothpicks
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Oven

Make sure to have all the ingredients and tools on hand before starting the recipe. This will make the process smoother and more efficient.

Prepare the Chicken

To make chicken cordon bleu, the first step is to prepare the chicken breasts. Here’s how to do it:

1. Place a chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap.
2. Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken until it’s even in thickness.
3. Remove the plastic wrap and season the chicken with salt and black pepper.
4. Place a slice of ham and a slice of Swiss cheese on top of the chicken breast.
5. Roll the chicken breast tightly, tucking in the sides to create a neat package.
6. Secure the chicken roll with toothpicks.

Repeat this process with the remaining chicken breasts. Make sure the toothpicks are inserted in such a way that they won’t come apart during cooking.

Preparing the chicken breasts properly will ensure that they cook evenly and stay intact during the cooking process.

Assemble the Filling and Roll the Chicken

The filling is what makes chicken cordon bleu so delicious. Here’s how to assemble the filling and roll the chicken:

1. Lay out a chicken breast on a cutting board.
2. Place a slice of ham and a slice of Swiss cheese on top of the chicken breast.
3. Roll the chicken breast tightly, tucking in the sides to create a neat package.
4. Secure the chicken roll with toothpicks.
5. Repeat this process with the remaining chicken breasts.

Make sure to evenly distribute the filling inside the chicken breast and roll it tightly to prevent the filling from falling out during cooking. Once you’ve rolled all the chicken breasts, you’re ready to move on to the next step.

Coat and Bake the Chicken

Coating and baking the chicken is the next step in making chicken cordon bleu. Here’s how to do it:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a shallow dish, mix together the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
3. In another shallow dish, beat the eggs.
4. In a third shallow dish, place the breadcrumbs.
5. Coat each chicken roll in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
6. Dip the chicken roll in the beaten eggs, making sure it’s fully coated.
7. Roll the chicken in the breadcrumbs until it’s completely covered.
8. Place the chicken rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Once the chicken is done, remove the toothpicks and serve immediately. Coating and baking the chicken gives it a crispy exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender.

Serve and Enjoy!

After all the hard work, it’s time to enjoy the delicious chicken cordon bleu you’ve made. Here’s how to serve it:

1. Carefully transfer the chicken rolls to a serving plate.
2. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing into it.
3. Serve with your favorite side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.

You can also serve chicken cordon bleu with a sauce, such as hollandaise, Dijon mustard, or mushroom cream sauce. This will add extra flavor and complement the dish. Enjoy your homemade chicken cordon bleu with friends and family, and savor the flavors of this classic dish.