Chicken cordon bleu is a comfort food classic of crispy breadcrumb-crusted boneless, skinless chicken breasts wrapped around thinly sliced ham and melted cheese. The dish, which is Swiss in origin—a derivative of schnitzel—takes its name from the French term “cordon bleu” in reference to the wide blue ribbon worn by members of the highest order of knighthood, L'Ordre des Chevaliers du Saint-Esprit, instituted by Henri III of France in 1578. According to Larousse Gastronomique, “the term has since been applied to food preparation to a very high standard and by outstanding cooks.” It’s also the origin of the blue ribbon as first prize seen at county fairs and cooking contests the world over.
But you don’t need to be a top chef to prepare this easy chicken cordon bleu recipe—we promise. Getting the chicken to the right thickness, though, is essential. To avoid tearing the meat, pound it with a meat mallet or rolling pin in a glancing (diagonal) motion rather than straight down, working from the center of the breast to the edge. Placing each piece of chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment before flattening can help maintain order. An instant-read thermometer also comes in handy in this recipe, allowing you to check the doneness of the cutlets without cutting into one.
To balance its richness, serve chicken cordon bleu with a zippy salad of shaved radishes with mint and walnuts or peppery greens like arugula or mizuna dressed in a tangy Dijon mustard vinaigrette.
Editor’s note: This recipe is from the 2019 edition of the ‘Joy of Cooking,’ our February 2020 Cookbook Club pick.
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