Baked Cordon Bleu

17/11/2023

Baked Cordon Bleu is a classic Swiss-French dish that is usually fried, but can also be prepared in the oven for a lighter and healthier version. Here is a recipe for making Baked Cordon Bleu with an Italian twist, using, for example, raw ham instead of cooked ham and a good Italian cheese like fontina.

Ingredients

4 whole boneless chicken breasts
4 slices of raw ham
8 slices of fontina cheese
Breadcrumbs as needed
Flour as needed
2 eggs
Salt and black pepper as needed
Extra virgin olive oil for greasing the pan

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
Cut the chicken breasts to form pockets (or ask your butcher to prepare them for you).
Place a slice of raw ham and two slices of fontina cheese inside each chicken breast.
Close the chicken breasts using wooden toothpicks to keep the edges together.
Prepare three deep plates: in one put the flour, in the second beat the eggs with salt and pepper, in the third put the breadcrumbs.
Dip the Cordon Bleu first in the flour, then in the egg, and finally in the breadcrumbs, making sure they are well covered.
Arrange the Cordon Bleu on a lightly greased baking tray with olive oil.
Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the breading is golden and crispy, turning the Cordon Bleu halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
Once cooked, let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Curiosity

The original Cordon Bleu uses veal. However, the chicken version has become popular in many countries. There are also variants made with turkey or pork. The term “Cordon Bleu” has been adopted to indicate a dish of high quality that features ingredients wrapped in meat and breaded. The term is also associated with culinary excellence, referring to the famous French cooking school “Le Cordon Bleu”.

If you desire a drink to accompany this dish, a fruity and fresh white wine could be ideal. For instance, a Chardonnay or a Sauvignon Blanc would pair well with the richness of the cheese and the delicate flavor of the chicken.