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crispy cheesy chicken delight

French Chicken Cordon Bleu

This elegant French Chicken Cordon Bleu features tender chicken breasts rolled with savory ham and melty Swiss cheese, all topped with a velvety pan sauce. The combination creates a perfect balance of flavors that tastes sophisticated yet requires minimal effort to prepare.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: French
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 teaspoon Onion salt
  • 3 tablespoons Butter
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese
  • 1/2 cup Milk
  • 4 halves Chicken breasts pounded thin
  • 2 teaspoons Minced garlic
  • All-purpose flour for dredging, plus 2 tablespoons reserved for sauce
  • 1 Chicken bouillon cube crushed
  • 4 slices Deli ham
  • 1/2 teaspoon Chopped parsley for garnish

Equipment

  • Meat mallet
  • 8-inch saucepan
  • Toothpicks

Method
 

  1. Pound chicken breast halves until flat and even in thickness.
  2. Place one slice of ham and one slice of Swiss cheese on top of each flattened chicken breast.
  3. Roll each breast up tightly, tucking in the sides as you go, and secure with toothpicks.
  4. Melt butter in an 8-inch saucepan over medium heat.
  5. Lightly dredge each chicken roll in flour, shaking off excess. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the flour for the sauce.
  6. Place the chicken rolls in the melted butter and sauté for about 8 minutes, turning occasionally until lightly browned on all sides and juices run clear.
  7. Remove chicken from pan and keep warm.
  8. In the same pan, add the crushed chicken bouillon cube and minced garlic, sautéing briefly to release flavors.
  9. Sprinkle in the reserved 2 tablespoons of flour, cooking and stirring for about a minute until it forms a paste with the remaining butter.
  10. Slowly pour in milk while stirring constantly to create a smooth sauce.
  11. Season with onion salt and bring the sauce to a gentle bubble.
  12. Return the chicken to the pan, coating each piece with the creamy sauce.
  13. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving. Remember to remove all toothpicks.

Notes

For the best results, use thinly sliced chicken breasts or pound them evenly to ensure they cook at the same rate. Choose a good melting Swiss cheese and ham with a slight smokiness for the most authentic flavor.
This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before cooking. For a crispier exterior, you can coat the rolled chicken in panko breadcrumbs before sautéing.
Serve with steamed asparagus, buttered rice pilaf, or roasted potatoes to complement the rich sauce. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and gently reheated in the oven.