Marianne Martinez
Chicken cordon bleu is a famous blue ribbon chicken dish, with chicken breasts as the main ingredient. The dish is made by pounding chicken breasts into a thin layer, rolling them around a filling of ham and cheese, and then coating them in egg and breadcrumbs before frying. This dish can be cooked in an air fryer in less than 30 minutes. The air fryer version of the recipe uses smaller chicken breasts, about four ounces each, to ensure they cook all the way through.
Cooking Chicken Cordon Bleu in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat Air Fryer | 350°F to 380°F (175°C to 193°C) |
| Chicken | Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves |
| Chicken Preparation | Pound chicken to 1/4-inch thickness, spread mustard, add cheese and ham, roll and secure with toothpicks |
| Chicken Coating | Flour, beaten egg, breadcrumbs |
| Air Fryer Basket | Lightly spray, place chicken in a single layer |
| Cooking Time | 13-20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) |
| Serving Suggestions | Creamy Dijon sauce, steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, crusty bread |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the chicken
Step 1: Choose the Right Chicken
Select boneless, skinless, and evenly sized chicken breasts for your Cordon Bleu. It is recommended to choose slightly smaller chicken breasts, about four ounces each, to ensure they cook thoroughly in the air fryer.
Step 2: Butterfly the Chicken
Place each chicken breast on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to butterfly it. Cut horizontally through the middle, being careful not to slice all the way through to the other side. Open the two sides like an open book and cover them with plastic wrap or place them in an unsealed gallon freezer bag.
Step 3: Pound the Chicken
Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken breasts until they are evenly flattened to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. This step ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and is the ideal thickness for rolling.
Step 4: Season the Chicken
Lay each piece of chicken flat on a cutting board and season it with salt and pepper. You can also spread Dijon mustard on top for added flavour. This step is essential to building the unique taste of Chicken Cordon Bleu.
Step 5: Add the Filling
Place one or two slices of Swiss cheese (or your preferred cheese) and a slice of ham in the middle of each flattened chicken breast. You can also try other types of cheese, such as Gruyère, Cheddar, or Pepper Jack, depending on your taste. For the ham, opt for sliced deli ham or Black Forest ham for a slightly sweet and savoury balance.
Step 6: Roll and Secure the Chicken
Roll each chicken breast, enclosing the filling inside, and secure the ends with toothpicks. This step ensures that the cheese doesn't melt out during cooking. At this point, you can refrigerate the prepared chicken for at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours before cooking.
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Filling the chicken
Firstly, prepare your chicken breasts by placing them on a flat work surface. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice each breast horizontally, ensuring you don't cut all the way through. Open these halves like a book, and you will have a surface to fill. Place each breast between two sheets of heavy plastic or parchment paper, or use a Ziploc bag. With a meat mallet, gently pound the chicken to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. This process ensures even cooking and provides a good base for your filling.
Now it's time to fill your chicken! Spread a layer of Dijon mustard on top of each breast. This adds a tangy flavour to your dish. Next, place a slice of cheese on each breast. You can use Swiss cheese, Gruyère, or cheddar, depending on your preference. If you want a classic flavour, go for Swiss or Gruyère. Now, add the star ingredient—ham! Place two slices of ham on top of the cheese. You can use deli ham, Black Forest ham, or prosciutto for a saltier option. Finally, add another slice of cheese. This double layer of cheese ensures a gooey, melty texture when your dish is cooked.
Once your filling is in place, it's time to roll! Carefully roll up each breast, jelly-roll style, tucking the filling inside as you go. Secure the ends and sides with toothpicks to prevent the cheese from escaping during cooking. This step is important, as the cheese can melt and run out if not properly secured. Place your filled and rolled chicken breasts in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to let them firm up before breading and cooking.
And there you have it! Your chicken is now filled with a delicious combination of ham and cheese. The next steps will involve breading and cooking your Chicken Cordon Bleu in the air fryer, resulting in a crispy, juicy, and indulgent meal.
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Coating the chicken
Firstly, prepare your chicken breasts by placing them between two sheets of heavy plastic or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet, gently pound the chicken breasts until they reach an even thickness of about 1/4 inch. This step ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and is a key factor in achieving the desired crust.
Next, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. You can also add a spread of Dijon mustard for extra flavour. Then, it's time to get creative with your fillings! Place a slice of cheese, followed by two slices of ham, and finally, another slice of cheese on each breast. You can use classic Swiss cheese or Gruyère, or experiment with cheddar or pepper jack. For the ham, opt for savoury Deli Black Forest ham or choose your favourite variety.
Now, it's time to roll! Carefully roll up each chicken breast, ensuring the fillings stay inside, and secure the rolls with toothpicks. This step ensures that the cheese doesn't escape during cooking. At this point, you can chill the chicken bundles in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours, which helps them maintain their shape.
The coating process begins with a dredging step. Dredge each chicken bundle in flour, shaking off any excess. This creates a base for the subsequent coatings. Next, dip the floured chicken into a bowl of beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl. Finally, press the chicken into a bread crumb mixture, ensuring both sides are fully coated. If you notice any spots coated only in flour, gently pat those areas with beaten egg and bread crumbs to ensure an even crust.
For an extra touch of decadence, you can gently pat the coated chicken bundles with melted butter before placing them in the air fryer basket. This step will enhance the golden colour and crispness of the final product.
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Cooking the chicken
Cooking chicken cordon bleu in an air fryer is a great way to simplify the classic recipe, which is usually labor-intensive. The air fryer skips the breading and frying steps, making it a lot less hands-on.
To start, you'll want to use boneless, skinless chicken breast halves. It's best to use smaller chicken breasts, about four ounces each, to ensure they cook all the way through in the air fryer. Place each chicken breast on a cutting board between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a mallet or a foil-wrapped brick, carefully pound the chicken to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
Next, you'll want to layer the chicken with ham and cheese. Cut the ham and cheese slices in half so you have four pieces of each. Place one piece of ham and one piece of cheese in the middle of each flattened chicken breast. You can use Swiss cheese, Gruyère, or cheddar, depending on your preference. For the ham, opt for sliced deli ham or Black Forest ham for a slightly sweet balance.
Now, it's time to roll up the chicken. Roll each breast up like a jelly roll, tucking the ham and cheese inside as you go. Secure the ends and sides with toothpicks to prevent the cheese from running out. At this point, you can transfer the chicken to the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes or up to four hours to let it rest and keep the meat tender and juicy.
Once your chicken is ready, it's time to dredge it in flour, dip it into beaten egg, and then press it into a bread crumb mixture to coat both sides. You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko crumbs for a lighter, crispier texture. If you notice any spots that are only coated in flour, lightly pat them with beaten egg and breadcrumbs.
Finally, it's time to cook the chicken in your air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to 350-380°F (some recipes suggest 365°F). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. Place the chicken in a single layer, leaving space between each piece if cooking multiple breasts at once, so the hot air can properly circulate.
Cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer and the size of your chicken breasts, but on average, it should take between 18 and 20 minutes. You can also use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 165°F to ensure it is fully cooked.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. You can serve it with a creamy Dijon sauce or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
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Serving the cordon bleu
Once your cordon bleu is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes. This will keep the chicken tender and juicy. You can also let it cool completely and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
You can serve the cordon bleu as it is, or with a pan sauce. To make a pan sauce, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add some flour and stir until it's coated with butter and the mixture begins to bubble. Then, stir in some chicken stock and bring to a boil. You can also top the cordon bleu with a creamy Dijon sauce, or serve it with a steamed vegetable, steamed broccoli, mashed potatoes, and a nice crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
If you're reheating the cordon bleu, it's best to use an air fryer to ensure the bread crumbs stay crisp. Reheat in the air fryer at 300° until warmed through. Using a microwave will cause the breadcrumb topping to become soggy.
Some recipes also recommend serving the cordon bleu with a white wine sauce. To make this, simmer milk with flour and wine, and then add in some shredded Swiss cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
You should preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). However, some sources recommend preheating to 350°F (175°C) or 365°F.
You should cook cordon bleu in an air fryer for 18-20 minutes. However, some sources recommend cooking for 13-18 minutes or until golden brown.
To prepare the chicken, you should first slice and butterfly the chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through. Then, place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic or parchment paper and use a meat mallet to pound the chicken to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Next, season the chicken with salt and pepper and spread Dijon mustard on top. Place slices of cheese and ham on each breast, and roll them up, securing with toothpicks.
In addition to chicken breasts, you will need ham and cheese. For the coating, you will need flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. You can also add spices and sauces to taste, such as cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or béchamel sauce.
