Chicken Cordon Bleu: How to Make an Easy One at Home

The Cordon Bleu is a classic French dish that has become popular around the world. Legend has it that the dish was named after the blue ribbon worn by the highest order of knighthood in France, the Order of the Holy Spirit. The Cordon Bleu is traditionally made with chicken, but variations can include pork, veal, or even cheese. In this recipe, we’ll be making a classic chicken Cordon Bleu.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds or 680g)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 thin slices of ham
• 4 slices of Swiss cheese
• 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (120g) seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet until it’s about 1/4 inch (0.6cm) thick. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
3. Place a slice of ham on top of each chicken breast, followed by a slice of Swiss cheese. Fold the chicken breast in half to enclose the filling, then secure with toothpicks.
4. Place the flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs into three separate shallow dishes.
5. Dip each chicken breast into the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the beaten eggs, followed by the breadcrumbs, making sure to coat evenly.
6. Heat the vegetable oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
7. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Remove the toothpicks and serve hot.

Tips

• Be careful not to overcook the chicken or it will become dry and tough.
• If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the chicken breasts to a baking dish before baking in the oven.
• You can also use toothpicks to keep the filling from falling out while cooking.

The Cordon Bleu is a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for special occasions or just a nice dinner at home. With a little bit of patience and practice, you can create a restaurant-quality meal in your own kitchen.