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Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu

Source of Recipe

From "The Best Simple Recipes" by the Editors at America's Test Kitchen


Recipe Introduction

"Chicken cordon bleu is a sophisticated comfort food dish that traditionally takes some effort to prepare. For our simplified recipe, instead of stuffing chicken breasts with mustard, ham, and cheese, we top them with these ingredients, and we avoid the messy process of breading and sautéing by simply dusting the breasts with buttery Ritz cracker crumbs and baking them. A simple tarragon-cream sauce adds rich flavor and perfectly complements the chicken. To save time, shred the cheese and crush the crackers while the chicken is browning."

List of Ingredients

â—¦ 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ pounds)
â—¦ Salt and pepper
â—¦ 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
â—¦ 1 cup heavy cream
â—¦ ½ cup dry white wine
â—¦ 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
â—¦ 1 tablespoon minced fresh tarragon
â—¦ 4 slices deli ham
â—¦ 1 cup shredded Gruyère or deli Swiss cheese
â—¦ 16 Ritz crackers, crushed coarse


Recipe

Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 475 degrees. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Brown chicken, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to 13 by 9-inch baking dish.

Add cream, wine, 2 teaspoons mustard, and tarragon to skillet, season with salt and pepper, and bring to simmer. Remove pan from heat.

Meanwhile, spread 1 teaspoon remaining mustard over each breast, lay one slice of ham on top, and mound each with ¼ cup cheese. Sprinkle cracker crumbs over cheese, pressing to adhere. Pour sauce around chicken without disturbing crumbs. Bake until chicken registers 160 degrees, about 15 minutes.
Serve.

Serves 4