Healthy Chicken Cordon Bleu

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6-8 ounces each)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 ounces Swiss cheese, thinly sliced
• 8 ounces ham, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 1/4 cups panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the Cheesy Dijon Sauce:

• 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk, warmed
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts, add cheese and ham, roll them up, and chill.
2. Bread the Chicken: Dredge the chicken in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs.
3. Fry the Chicken: Fry the breaded chicken until golden brown.
4. Bake the Chicken: Transfer the fried chicken to a baking sheet and bake until cooked through.
5. Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter, whisk in flour, and gradually add milk to create a roux. Add Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then stir in Gruyère and Parmesan cheese.
6. Serve: Serve the Chicken Cordon Bleu with the Cheesy Dijon Sauce.

Tips:

• Pounding the Chicken: Ensure even thickness for consistent cooking.
• Chilling the Rolls: Chilling helps the rolls hold their shape during cooking.
• Oil Temperature: Maintain the oil temperature around 350°F for optimal frying.
• Baking Time: Adjust baking time based on the thickness of the chicken.
• Sauce Thickness: Adjust the cornstarch slurry amount to achieve your desired sauce consistency.