Chicken cordon bleu is pretty straightforward to put together, even if you are a novice cook.
This tasty dish is also one of the best boneless chicken recipes to make if you like stuffed dishes.
The recipe for has been around for centuries longer than the cookery school in France with the same name.
Nobody knows for sure whether this recipe originated in France or if it was invented by North American chefs attempting to imitate a stuffed meat recipe in the European style.
The History of Chicken Cordon Bleu The phrase "cordon bleu" means blue band or blue ribbon.
King Henry III started up a knightly order to fight for Catholicism.
This group of knights would wear a Maltese cross around their neck, suspended by a blue ribbon.
They gathered for enormous feasts, cooked by skilled chefs, and the blue ribbon became associated with fine cooking.
How to Make the Best Chicken Cordon Bleu This dish is normally made by wrapping the meat around a cheese and ham filling and it normally has a breadcrumb crust.
To make this recipe in a very simple way, you can layer the ham and cheese over the meat and bake it.
A different preparation method for your chicken cordon bleu recipe is to cut a hole into the meat and poke the cheese into it, then wrap the ham around the outside and roll it in breadcrumbs.
However, if you want to make the classic version the true authentic way, you will need to butterfly the bird, pound it flat, and then wrap it up, with the cheese and ham inside.
Dip it in breadcrumbs and then grill, pan fry, or bake it.
Authentic cordon bleu has a ham and Swiss cheese filling.
You might like to try Provolone, Gruyere, or mozzarella cheese.
Use cured ham, bacon, or prosciutto as a filling too, it all depends on what you like or what you have in the refrigerator.
Perhaps you would like to add a couple of chopped sun dried tomatoes or some fresh basil or spinach to the filling, although this is veering away from the original recipe.
Pound the meat with a mallet until it is a quarter inch thick and then sprinkle on some salt and pepper.
Add the ham and cheese and roll the poultry up, using toothpicks to secure it.
It is a good idea to stir the breadcrumbs into a beaten egg and roll the meat in the mixture, so they stick properly.
How to Serve Chicken Cordon Bleu This dish goes well with a mustard sauce or a creamy sauce or you could just serve it by itself.
Potatoes are a good accompaniment or you could try a rice pilaf or saffron rice on the side.
Most vegetables are great with this easy recipe.
Cordon bleu is especially good for a dinner party because it looks delicious, tastes wonderful, and is simple to prepare.