Kamil Perry
Chicken cordon bleu is a dish of meat wrapped around cheese or with a cheese filling, then breaded and fried. While the dish is usually made with veal or pork, chicken cordon bleu uses chicken breast. The chicken is stuffed with ham and cheese and then breaded and cooked. The most popular type of cheese used in chicken cordon bleu is Swiss cheese, but blue cheese can also be used.
Characteristics and their values:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Swiss cheese, Blue cheese, Mozzarella cheese, or any other cheese |
| Coating | Cornflakes, Breadcrumbs, Panko, Ritz crackers, Parmesan, Flour, Egg |
| Sauce | Mustard, Mayonnaise, Honey mustard, Wine sauce, Garlic |
| Cooking Method | Pan-fried, Baked |
| Cooking Time | 30-35 minutes |
| Cooling Time | 5 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken Cordon Bleu is made with Swiss cheese
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a dish of meat wrapped around cheese or with a cheese filling, then breaded and pan-fried or deep-fried. The dish is made with chicken breast instead of veal or pork. The chicken breast is sliced almost in half and butterflied. The meat is then wrapped around a slice of ham and a slice of cheese. The exact origin of the Cordon Bleu is unknown, but it could be a French or Swiss invention. The term cordon bleu means "blue ribbon", which was originally awarded to knights of the highest order. The French term was applied to food prepared to a very high standard.
The key to a successful Chicken Cordon Bleu is to ensure the cheese does not melt out of the chicken while cooking. This can be achieved by folding the ham and chicken edges around the cheese and chilling the stuffed and rolled chicken before breading and baking. A meat mallet or rolling pin can be used to pound the chicken to an even thickness before adding the ham and cheese. The chicken should be baked until cooked through, about 30 to 35 minutes in an oven preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a dish that is relatively simple to make and can be prepared ahead of time. The recipe can be modified by using different types of cheese, breading, and sauces to suit individual tastes. The dish is often served with a side of vegetables or French fries. Chicken Cordon Bleu is a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal or when hosting company.
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It can be cooked in the oven or in a pan
Chicken cordon bleu is a French dish that traditionally consists of meat wrapped around cheese, then breaded and fried. However, it can also be cooked in the oven or in a pan.
Oven-Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu
To make chicken cordon bleu in the oven, you'll first need to prepare the chicken cutlets by covering them with plastic wrap and pounding them with a mallet to create thin, even pieces. Then, season the chicken with salt and pepper. Next, place a slice of ham and a slice of cheese on each piece of chicken. The most popular type of cheese used is Swiss cheese, but you can substitute it with any other cheese of your choice.
Roll the chicken vertically so that the ham and cheese are contained within, and secure each roll with a toothpick. You can also try a trick where you place the chicken on a small square of plastic wrap before rolling, which helps the chicken stay together without the need for toothpicks. Arrange the chicken rolls in a baking dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, and bake.
The baking time and temperature may vary depending on the recipe, but generally, you'll want to bake it for around 30-40 minutes at a temperature of around 350°F (175°C). To check if the chicken is done, cut into the thickest part of the roll to ensure that no pink remains.
Pan-Fried Chicken Cordon Bleu
If you prefer to cook chicken cordon bleu in a pan, you can follow a similar preparation process as the oven-baked method. However, instead of rolling the chicken around the ham and cheese, you'll create a pocket in each chicken breast and fold the ham and cheese to fit inside. Close the pocket and secure it with toothpicks.
Then, dip the chicken into a mixture of whisked egg and flour, followed by breadcrumbs. Transfer the chicken to a tray, spray with oil, and bake in the oven for a few minutes until golden brown. Remove the toothpicks and serve with a sauce of your choice.
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It is best served with a mustard sauce
Chicken cordon bleu is a simple yet elegant, sharp-flavoured dish. It is typically made with Swiss cheese, but blue cheese can be used as a substitute. The dish is usually served with a mustard sauce, which can be made by mixing mayonnaise and mustard together.
A more complex mustard sauce can be made by melting butter and stirring in flour to create a roux. After cooking the roux for a few minutes, milk is slowly whisked in, and the sauce is seasoned with dijon mustard, garlic powder, parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. This sauce is then drizzled over the chicken before serving.
Another way to make a mustard sauce is to mix milk, flour, butter, dijon mustard, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese in a saucepan. This sauce is also seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. The chicken is then ladled with the sauce and served immediately.
Some people also add other ingredients to their mustard sauce, such as parsley or nutmeg. The sauce can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to 3 months, making it a convenient option for those who like to prepare their meals in advance.
Chicken cordon bleu with mustard sauce is a delicious and elegant dish that can be made ahead of time, making it perfect for special occasions or weekend meals. The sharpness of the mustard sauce pairs well with the flavours of the chicken, ham, and cheese.
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The chicken breast should be sliced and butterflied
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a classic French dish that is surprisingly easy to make. The chicken breast should be sliced and butterflied—this is a simple process. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the chicken breast lengthwise, but not all the way through. Leave about an inch, then open the breast up so it lays flat. You can also cut the chicken breast in half horizontally to create two halves, placing them between two sheets of plastic wrap.
Next, pound the butterflied chicken breast until it is about 1/4 inch thick. Be careful not to pound too hard, so the meat doesn't tear. Now you can add the delicious fillings. Place a slice of ham and some Swiss cheese (or blue cheese, if you prefer) on each chicken breast. You can also add some sliced deli ham and pre-sliced Swiss cheese to make it easier. If you want a more traditional chicken cordon bleu, you can mix mayonnaise and mustard together for a simple sauce.
After adding the fillings, roll each chicken breast up tightly, tucking in the sides, or fold the chicken in half if it's too small to roll. You can secure the rolled-up chicken with a couple of toothpicks. At this point, you can also chill the chicken in the freezer for about 30 minutes to help it hold its shape during frying.
Now it's time to bread the chicken. You can use a variety of coatings, such as regular breadcrumbs, panko, crushed cornflakes, or crushed Ritz crackers. Dip the chicken in flour, shake off the excess, then coat it in beaten egg, and finally, cover it with the breadcrumbs or your chosen coating. Press the coating onto the chicken so it sticks.
Finally, it's time to cook your Chicken Cordon Bleu. You can fry the chicken in butter and olive oil for about 15-20 minutes, or bake it in the oven at 425°F for 30-35 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the breading is golden brown. Don't forget to remove the toothpicks before serving!
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The dish is of French or Swiss origin
The exact origin of the cordon bleu is unknown, and there are several theories about its history. The term cordon bleu is French and translates to "blue ribbon". The name refers to the blue ribbon worn by members of the highest order of knighthood, L'Ordre des Chevaliers du Saint-Esprit, which was instituted by Henri III of France in 1578. The term has been used to refer to food preparation of a very high standard.
One theory suggests that the dish was first cooked on a German ship by a Roman Swiss cook using a French or Swiss recipe. Another theory suggests that it was created by a Valaisian Swiss cook about 200 years ago. A third theory posits that it was invented by a French cook in a cooking competition in 1930. The earliest reference to "veal cordon bleu" is in the Los Angeles Times of 1958, while similar veal recipes date back to at least 1955.
Chicken cordon bleu is a dish that gained popularity in the United States between the 1960s and 1970s. It is made with chicken breast, which is sliced and filled with ham and cheese, then rolled and secured with toothpicks. The cheese used is typically Swiss cheese, but other types of cheese can also be used. The chicken is then coated in a breading of flour, egg, and dried breadcrumbs before being pan-fried or baked.
Chicken cordon bleu is often served with a sauce, such as a creamy wine sauce, a mustard sauce, or a honey mustard sauce. The dish can be reheated in the oven, but the results may not be as good as when it is freshly prepared, as the breading may soften, and the chicken may lose some of its moisture.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken cordon bleu is usually made with Swiss cheese, but other types of cheese can be used, such as blue cheese.
In addition to cheese, chicken cordon bleu contains chicken breast, ham, and a breadcrumb coating.
Chicken cordon bleu can be pan-fried or baked.
