Description
Ina Garten’s chicken cordon bleu delivers a classic French-inspired dish with crispy breadcrumb coating and melted cheese center. Diners savor each delectable bite of this elegant yet comforting entrée that emerges golden brown from the oven and satisfies you completely.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- 8 slices deli ham
- 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour (standard and American)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups (200 g) panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) Dijon mustard
- 4 tbsps (56 g) melted butter
- 4 tbsps (56 g) butter
- ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour (standard and American)
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk
- ¼ cup (25 g) freshly grated Parmesan
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating an ideal cooking environment.
- Chicken Preparation: Using a meat mallet, flatten chicken breasts to uniform ¼-inch thickness, ensuring even cooking and easy rolling.
- Filling Assembly: Layer cheese and ham across the entire surface of each flattened chicken breast, distributing ingredients evenly.
- Rolling Technique: Tightly roll the chicken, encapsulating the filling, and secure with toothpicks to maintain structural integrity during cooking.
- Coating Process: Establish three coating stations – seasoned flour, whisked eggs, and panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter and dried oregano – for a crispy, flavorful exterior.
- Breading Method: Dredge each chicken roll through flour, egg wash, and herbed panko mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Baking Preparation: Arrange coated chicken rolls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them to promote uniform browning and crisp texture.
- Cooking Process: Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, guaranteeing safe and delicious results.
- Sauce Creation: In a skillet, develop a rich sauce by creating a roux, gradually incorporating milk and Dijon mustard, then simmering until thickened.
- Finishing Touches: Stir Parmesan cheese into the sauce, season to taste, remove toothpicks from chicken rolls, and serve immediately with the warm, creamy sauce drizzled on top.
Notes
- Prevent Cheese Leakage: Freeze cheese slices briefly before assembling to minimize melting and oozing during cooking.
- Master Even Coating: Use one hand for dry ingredients and another for wet to keep breading process clean and consistent.
- Ensure Perfect Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exactly 165°F for food safety without overcooking.
- Crispy Technique Tip: Let chicken rolls rest on a wire rack after breading to help coating adhere better and create crunchier exterior.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 609
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1030 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg