Janelle McKellar's Best Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe

Chicken Cordon Bleu
photos by Janelle McKellar

Organic chicken breasts, sodium nitrite-free deli ham and organic Havarti cheese make this classic chicken breast recipe a delectable entree. Newlywed Janelle McKellar wanted to master some dinner entrees for her foodie connoisseur husband Jabar, and experimented with several recipes. She already had mastered salads and sandwiches to the acclaim of her peers, but hot meals were a challenge.

Best Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe

McKellar loved a family recipe her mother always prepared called Rolled Cheddar Chicken, but wanted to try her hand at the classic version that recipe was based on, Chicken Cordon Bleu. When she made it the first time, Jabar highly praised the results and she knew she had found a winner.

The tastiness of the recipe is due to using organic ingredients and especially, sodium nitrite-free deli ham. Grocery stores are carrying more organic items than ever, so sodium nitrite-free ham is more easily found. It is healthier and just simply tastes better. Trader Joe's stores in particular carry organic deli ham that is nitrite-free.

Ingredients:

Ready for the Oven

• 1 organic egg
• 1/2 Cup of organic parsley, snipped or chopped
• 4 organic boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• 4 slices of Sodium Nitrite-free deli Ham
• olive oil or coconut oil
• organic maple syrup or brown sugar, to taste
• 6 Slices of organic Havarti cheese
• 1/2 Cup of Bleu Cheese (OPTIONAL)
• 1/2 Cup of Seasoned Bread Crumbs
• 1/4 Cup of Granola (OPTIONAL)
• 2-3 tbsp. organic butter

 Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and coat a 7 x 11 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Saute the ham in olive oil or coconut oil, and the maple syrup/brown sugar.
3. Pound the chicken breasts into 1/4 inch thickness with a large metal spoon or mallet to 1/4 inch thickness. They will then be called "chicken supremes."
4. Sprinkle each piece of chicken on both sides with the salt and pepper and then wash them in lightly battered egg so the bread will stick.
5. Place 1 slice of cheese, a sprinkle of Bleu cheese, and 1 ham slice on top of each breast.
6. Roll up each breast and secure them with a toothpick or two. Place in the baking dish and sprinkle the chicken evenly with the bread crumbs and granola. Put a pat of organic butter on top of each chicken roll.

Bake for 30-35 min., or until the chicken is no longer pink. Remove them from the oven, and place 1/2 cheese slice on top of each breast. Return the pan to then oven for 3-5 min. or until the cheese is melted. Remove the toothpicks and serve immediately. This recipe serves four people, and takes about 45 minutes total time. Guests will love it as much as Jabar does!

Another great recipe similar to Chicken Cordon Bleu is Rolled Cheddar Chicken, which can be served at a dinner party. Other dinner recipes always receiving rave reviews are Taco Casserole and Turkey Noodle Casserole, perfect for using up leftover Thanksgiving turkey.