Air-Fryer Magic: Barber Foods Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken cordon bleu is a French dish of flattened, stuffed chicken breast. The chicken is stuffed with ham and cheese, rolled up, breaded, and cooked. Barber Foods' chicken cordon bleu comes pre-breaded and stuffed, so it's ready to be cooked straight from the freezer. It can be cooked in an air fryer in under 30 minutes, making it a quick and easy meal for busy weeknights.

How to cook Barber Foods Chicken Cordon Bleu in the air fryer

Ingredients:

• Barber Foods Chicken Cordon Bleu
• Oil mister (optional)
• Meat thermometer

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F.
• Place your chicken cordon bleu in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Spray the top of the chicken with an oil mister (optional).
• Air fry for 18-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
• Remove from the air fryer and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can cook up to four chicken cordon bleus at a time, depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Always use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165 degrees F to ensure it is cooked thoroughly.
• If you are cooking two or more chicken cordon bleus, leave space between each one to allow the hot air to circulate properly.
• Always allow your chicken cordon bleu to rest before slicing into the meat to keep it tender and juicy.
• Some cheese may ooze out during cooking, but this is normal and indicates that the cheese is perfectly melted.
• For easy cleanup, use a silicone liner or parchment round in your air fryer basket.

How to store and reheat leftovers

Leftover chicken cordon bleu can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and should be enjoyed within 3 to 4 days.

To reheat chicken cordon bleu in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the leftover chicken cordon bleu in the air fryer basket and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until warmed through. You can also reheat it in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.

It is worth noting that the breading may get soft in the fridge, so it is best to eat the leftovers as soon as possible.

What to serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken Cordon Bleu is a delicious dish that combines bread crumbs, chicken, ham, and cheese. There are plenty of sides to choose from to serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu, including:

Starch Options

• Mashed potatoes
• Rice (garlic butter rice, lemon dill rice)
• Pasta (mac and cheese)
• Bread (homemade Italian bread, yeast rolls, buttermilk biscuits)
• Crispy Air Fryer Diced Potatoes
• Potatoes au Gratin with Pancetta and Leeks
• Crispy Salt and Vinegar Smashed Potatoes

Vegetables

• Roasted vegetables (asparagus, broccoli, broccolini, baby carrots, brussels sprouts, spinach, green beans, parsnips, zucchini)
• Salad (spring mix apple raspberry salad, spinach salad with pears, kale and fennel salad with almond and cranberry, balsamic tomato basil salad)

Other

• French Fries
• Air Fryer Ranch Potatoes
• Sweet Potato Casserole
• Garlic Cheese Bread
• Risotto with Mushrooms

Why cook Chicken Cordon Bleu in the air fryer

Chicken cordon bleu is a classic dish of flattened chicken breasts stuffed with ham and cheese, rolled up, breaded, and cooked. The air fryer is a great way to cook chicken cordon bleu because it gives the dish a crispy golden brown crust without the extra calories of deep frying.

Quick and Easy

Air frying chicken cordon bleu is a quick and easy way to prepare this dish. It takes less than 30 minutes to cook, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you don't have much time to spend in the kitchen. You can go from frozen stuffed chicken breast to a delicious, crispy, juicy, and melty meal in no time.

No Prep Work Required

When using store-bought frozen chicken cordon bleu, such as Barber Foods brand, there is zero prep work involved. The chicken comes pre-breaded and stuffed, so you can simply throw it in the air fryer without any additional steps. This is especially convenient when you're short on time and don't want to spend hours in the kitchen.

Crispy Exterior, Juicy Interior

The air fryer gives chicken cordon bleu a beautifully crispy exterior while keeping the interior juicy and tender. This cooking method allows you to skip the hassle of traditional frying but still achieve that perfect golden crust. The hot air of the air fryer crisps up the breading without drying out the chicken or melting out all the cheese.

Consistent Results

Cooking chicken cordon bleu in the air fryer yields consistent results every time. You don't have to worry about uneven cooking or hot spots that you might encounter with other cooking methods. The air fryer's controlled circulation of hot air ensures even cooking, so you can expect delicious, crispy chicken cordon bleu every time you make it.

Safe and Healthy

Air frying is a safer and healthier alternative to deep frying. It uses hot air instead of oil to cook the food, reducing the amount of fat and calories in your meal. Additionally, the air fryer helps prevent undercooking, as long as you follow the recommended cooking times and temperatures. An instant-read thermometer can also be used to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

In summary, cooking chicken cordon bleu in the air fryer is a convenient, quick, and healthy option that delivers delicious results. It's perfect for busy families who want a tasty, crispy, and juicy meal without spending hours in the kitchen. The air fryer's ability to create a crispy exterior and juicy interior makes it an ideal choice for this classic dish.

How to make Chicken Cordon Bleu from scratch

Chicken Cordon Bleu is a classic dish of stuffed chicken breasts that are cheesy, meaty, and delicious. It is made by stuffing chicken breasts with ham and cheese, coating them with breadcrumbs, and either frying or baking them. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make Chicken Cordon Bleu from scratch:

Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Ham slices
• Swiss cheese slices or shredded Swiss cheese
• Cornflakes or breadcrumbs
• Butter
• Mayonnaise
• Mustard
• Salt and pepper
• Flour
• Eggs
• Olive oil
• Fresh thyme and parsley

Instructions:

• Prepare the chicken breasts by pounding them thin using a meat mallet or a rolling pin. Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap to ensure they are pounded evenly without tearing the meat.
• Place a slice of ham and a slice of cheese (or a handful of shredded cheese) on top of each chicken breast.
• Roll up the chicken breasts tightly, tucking in the sides to enclose the ham and cheese filling. You can also cut a pocket into each chicken breast and stuff it with the ham and cheese, securing it with toothpicks.
• Wrap each chicken roll tightly in plastic wrap, twisting the ends to create a firm chicken roll. This will help the roll hold its shape. Refrigerate the wrapped chicken rolls for at least 30 minutes or up to one day in advance.
• Preheat your oven to 390-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Prepare the breading by crushing cornflakes or using breadcrumbs. You can also use crushed Ritz crackers or gluten-free breadcrumbs. Place the breading in a shallow dish.
• In a separate shallow dish, melt some butter.
• Dip each chicken roll first in the melted butter, then roll it in the breading, pressing lightly to help the crumbs stick to the chicken.
• Transfer the breaded chicken rolls to a lightly greased baking sheet.
• Bake the chicken for about 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• While the chicken is baking, you can prepare a sauce to serve with it. A simple sauce can be made by stirring together mayonnaise and mustard. Alternatively, you can make a creamy honey mustard sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, adding garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, mustard, honey, and cornstarch.
• Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tips:

• To prevent the cheese from melting out, try rolling the ham and chicken edges around the cheese as you roll it up.
• Chilling the stuffed and rolled chicken before breading and baking helps it hold its shape.
• Use an oven probe thermometer or an instant-read food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it is cooked through without slicing into it and causing the cheese to seep out.
• If cheese is melting out of the chicken while baking, you can plug the sides with a small piece of foil.
• Chicken Cordon Bleu can also be cooked in an air fryer. Simply preheat the air fryer to 370-390 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the chicken for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.

Frequently asked questions