Ingredients and Weight:
- Chicken Breasts: 8 (about 2 pounds)
- Ham Slices: 8 (about ½ pound)
- Swiss Mushrooms: 1 cup (fresh, sliced)
- Cream Cheese: 8 oz
- Dijon Mustard: 2 tbsp
- Fresh Herbs (e.g., thyme or rosemary): 1 tbsp (chopped)
- Salt and Pepper: To taste
- Breadcrumbs (seasoned with salt, pepper, and herbs): ½ cup
- Butter: 3 tbsp
- Chicken Stock or Broth: 1 cup
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup
Preparation Time: 2 hours (including preparation and cooking time)
Cooking Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Difficulty Level: Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)
Preparation Method Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Pound chicken breasts lightly to even out thickness.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Place a slice of ham and some mushroom slices on each chicken breast.
- Roll chicken around the filling and secure with toothpicks or truss to hold shape.
- In a small bowl, mix cream cheese with Dijon mustard and fresh herbs.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the chicken bundles.
- Roll in seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Melt butter in a baking dish and place chicken in the dish.
- Pour chicken stock and heavy cream over the chicken.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30-45 minutes or until cooked through.
- Remove from oven, let rest for 10 minutes before serving with a scoop of the sauce from the baking dish.
Nutritional Information: (Per serving)
Calories: Approx. 500-600 (depending on portion size)
Fat: 30-40g
Carbohydrates: 20-30g
Protein: 30-40g
Dish Characteristics:
- Creative fusion of Western flavors with a touch of French influence in the sauce.
- Chicken Cordon Bleu offers a rich, savory experience with the combination of ham, mushrooms, and creamy Dijon sauce.
- The dish showcases skill in combining different flavors and textures.
User Comments:
- "The combination of flavors was outstanding! The chicken was tender and the sauce was creamy and delicious."
- "I loved the creativity behind this dish. It was a perfect balance of flavors and textures."
- "The dish was well-executed and presented beautifully. The only suggestion would be to add more herbs for a more pronounced flavor."
Special Precautions and Tips:
- Be sure to use fresh ingredients for best results.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste preferences.
- Chicken may vary in thickness, so pounding to an even thickness ensures even cooking.
- Ensure that the chicken is cooked through before removing from the oven to avoid food safety concerns.
