Air-Fried Chicken Cordon Bleu: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Chicken Cordon Bleu is a French dish that translates to blue ribbon, indicating the highest class. It is a delicious meal that can be made in an air fryer and is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or a fancy meal for guests. The dish consists of chicken breasts stuffed with ham and cheese, breaded, and air-fried to perfection. The air fryer ensures a crispy golden crust and a gooey cheese centre. This paragraph introduces the topic of making Chicken Cordon Bleu in an air fryer, including its origin, key ingredients, and cooking method. Now, let's dive into the step-by-step process of preparing this mouthwatering dish in an air fryer.

How to prepare the chicken

Preparing the chicken is the most important part of making Chicken Cordon Bleu. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect result:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts, which you should place on a flat work surface. Cut the chicken breasts horizontally through the middle, being careful not to cut all the way through. Open these up like a book and place them between two sheets of heavy plastic on a solid, level surface.

Now, it's time to pound the chicken. Use a meat mallet to gently pound the chicken to a thickness of around 1/4 inch. Don't pound too hard, or you will break the meat, making it difficult to roll later. Repeat this process for all your chicken breasts.

Next, it's time to season the chicken. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, or your chosen seasonings. You can also add a spread of Dijon mustard to the chicken at this stage, if you wish.

Now, it's time to add the fillings. Place a slice of cheese on each breast—Swiss cheese is a popular choice, but you could also use Gruyere. Top the cheese with two slices of ham, and then add another slice of cheese.

Roll each breast up and secure it with a toothpick. You can also add a 'secret sauce' of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard before rolling if you want to add extra creaminess to your cordon bleu.

Finally, prepare your dredging station. You will need three shallow bowls. In the first, place some flour. In the second, beat an egg. In the third, mix together panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. Dredge the chicken breasts in flour, shaking off the excess, then dip them into the beaten egg, and finally, press them into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides.

Your chicken is now ready to be cooked in your air fryer!

How to assemble the cordon bleu

To assemble the cordon bleu, start by laying each chicken piece flat on your cutting board. Place 1-2 pieces of ham on top of the chicken and cut the Swiss cheese in half, placing it in the middle of the ham in a single layer. You want to keep the cheese away from the edges so it doesn't melt out while air frying.

Next, spread about 1-1½ tablespoons of the sauce (a combination of mayonnaise and dijon mustard) over the cheese.

Roll the chicken over the ham and cheese. When you get to the end, tuck the ham over itself and pull the end of the chicken up and over to create a roll. Secure it with a toothpick. Tuck in the ends and secure with more toothpicks. Don't worry if some of the sauce leaks out.

Now, coat each piece of chicken with the egg and mustard mixture, then coat in the breadcrumb mixture. Pat the breadcrumbs into the chicken and let it sit for a minute or two. Repeat for each chicken roll.

How to cook the cordon bleu in the air fryer

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 4 slices of Swiss cheese
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil or avocado oil
• An instant-read thermometer

Method:

• Place a chicken breast on a flat surface and cut it horizontally through the middle, being careful not to slice all the way through. Open it up like a book and place it between two sheets of heavy plastic. Using a meat mallet, pound the chicken to a 1/4-inch thickness. Repeat with the other chicken breast.
• Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then spread Dijon mustard on top.
• Place 1 slice of cheese on each breast. Add 2 slices of ham and another slice of cheese on top.
• Roll up each breast and secure it with toothpicks.
• Place the flour in one bowl, beat the eggs in a second bowl, and mix the panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan in a third bowl.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Dredge the chicken breasts in flour, shaking off the excess. Dip them into the egg mixture, then press them into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides.
• Spray the breaded chicken with nonstick spray and let it sit for 5 minutes.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 10 minutes.
• Flip the chicken breasts, spray any dry spots with nonstick spray, and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center. The internal temperature should reach at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Remove the toothpicks before serving.

Tips:

• You can serve chicken cordon bleu with steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, a simple salad, mashed potatoes, or rice pilaf.
• You can freeze chicken cordon bleu before or after cooking. To reheat, cook at a lower temperature setting (around 300-350℉/150-175℃) for 15-20 minutes.
• To create a pocket for the filling, cut into the chicken breast horizontally, being careful not to cut all the way through. Secure the pocket with toothpicks to prevent the cheese from melting out during cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.

How to make a sauce to accompany the dish

Chicken Cordon Bleu is a French dish that is typically served with a sauce. While the chicken is cooking in the air fryer, you can make a sauce to accompany the dish. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a delicious sauce:

Ingredients:

• Butter
• Flour
• Milk
• Mustard
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
• Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
• Slowly whisk in the milk and continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and blended.
• Add the mustard and grated Parmesan cheese to the saucepan.
• Simmer the mixture for 2-3 minutes, whisking constantly, until it thickens.
• Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
• Remove the toothpicks from the cooked chicken and spoon the sauce over the Chicken Cordon Bleu before serving.

This sauce is a simple and tasty addition to the Chicken Cordon Bleu dish. You can also get creative and experiment with different ingredients and seasonings to make your own unique blend of flavours.

How to reheat chicken cordon bleu in the air fryer

Reheating chicken cordon bleu in an air fryer is a straightforward process. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While the air fryer is preheating, take your leftover chicken cordon bleu out of the refrigerator. This will help reduce the time needed to reheat the dish.

Next, place the chicken cordon bleu in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with some space between each piece. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.

Now, air fry the chicken cordon bleu for 4 to 5 minutes. This should be enough time to warm it through thoroughly. However, if your cordon bleu is frozen, increase the cooking time to around 18 to 20 minutes to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once the chicken cordon bleu is heated through, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help keep the juices locked in and ensure the dish stays moist.

And that's it! You now have a delicious, crispy, and gooey chicken cordon bleu ready to be enjoyed. Serve it with your choice of sides, such as steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, mashed potatoes, or a simple salad.

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