A delicious and “fancy” dinner does not have to take all day! This Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu is ready in under 30 minutes.
Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu: Gourmet Dinner in Under 30 Minutes
In the whirlwind of daily life, finding time to prepare a truly delicious and seemingly “fancy” dinner can feel like an impossible task. We often associate gourmet meals with hours spent in the kitchen, complex techniques, and a long list of exotic ingredients. But what if I told you that a sophisticated dish like Chicken Cordon Bleu could be on your table in under 30 minutes? Prepare to have your perceptions challenged, because this Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe is a game-changer for busy home cooks who refuse to compromise on flavor or quality.
The Joy of Culinary Discoveries: Unveiling Melissa d’Arabian’s Supermarket Healthy
There’s a special kind of excitement that comes with a new cookbook. For me, it’s an almost childlike anticipation, often leading me to watch out the window for the delivery truck. Knowing release dates and being among the first to order new culinary gems is a hobby in itself. One such eagerly awaited arrival was Melissa d’Arabian’s latest masterpiece, Supermarket Healthy. From the moment I first heard about it, I knew it would be a valuable addition to my collection, and I couldn’t wait for it to land on my doorstep.
Melissa d’Arabian has always resonated with me since her days on *The Next Food Network Star*. Her approach to cooking is refreshingly real and down-to-earth, a quality that shines through in her recipes. Over the years, I’ve successfully prepared numerous dishes from her repertoire, and my current collection boasts many more bookmarked pages. While I regret missing her first cookbook (a casualty of my “cookbook buying diet” phase), I was determined not to let *Supermarket Healthy* slip through my fingers.
A Deeper Look at Supermarket Healthy: Where Health Meets Budget and Flavor
*Supermarket Healthy* isn’t just another cookbook; it’s a testament to the idea that wholesome, flavorful meals don’t have to strain your wallet or your schedule. As soon as I delved into its pages, I recognized its potential to become a staple in my kitchen for 2015 and beyond. The recipes within are a delightful blend of creativity and practicality. They are inventive without being overly complicated, offering a wonderful variety that caters to diverse tastes and preferences.
One aspect of *Supermarket Healthy* that I particularly adore is the emphasis on fresh produce. Many healthy and budget-friendly cookbooks tend to lean heavily on pantry staples, sometimes at the expense of vibrant, fresh ingredients. Melissa d’Arabian, however, masterfully incorporates an abundance of fruits and vegetables, ensuring that each dish feels nutritious and full of life.
Cookbook Highlights: What Makes Supermarket Healthy a Must-Have
- Abundant Photography: The book features a generous number of stunning photos, likely accompanying every other recipe. These visuals are incredibly inspiring, making you want to jump into the kitchen and start cooking immediately. They effectively showcase the beauty and deliciousness of each dish.
- Effortless Difficulty Level: As a busy mom herself, Melissa clearly designed these recipes with a family’s hectic schedule in mind. The vast majority of dishes can be prepared in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for weeknights. Even recipes that might initially appear daunting are explained with such clarity and simplicity that anyone, regardless of their cooking skill level, can execute them successfully. For instance, the extensive chapter on fish recipes might intimidate some, but rest assured, cooking fish can be incredibly straightforward and rewarding with Melissa’s guidance.
- Accessible Ingredients: True to its title, *Supermarket Healthy* prioritizes ingredients that are readily available at any standard grocery store. You won’t find yourself hunting for obscure or expensive components, ensuring that these healthy meals are genuinely attainable for everyone. This focus on accessibility truly underscores the book’s commitment to budget-friendly and practical cooking.
Other Tempting Recipes I Can’t Wait to Try:
- Cinnamon Popovers with Cream Cheese Glaze
- White Bean and Roasted Red Pepper Soup
- Pomegranate, Squash, Apples and Arugula Salad
- Summer Squash and Mushroom Tacos
- Cod and Coconut Curry over Cilantro Rice
- Piri-Piri Barbecued Chicken Kebabs
- Vanilla and Blueberry Cheesecake Pudding
My Experience with the Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
With so many intriguing recipes bookmarked in *Supermarket Healthy*, choosing which one to try first was a delightful dilemma. I almost opted for the Vanilla And Blueberry Cheesecake Pudding, but I generally prefer to review savory dishes when evaluating a general cookbook. The Piri-Piri Barbecued Chicken Kebabs were also calling my name, but the uncooperative windy and cold weather made outdoor grilling unappealing. And then, my eyes landed on this unassuming “Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu.” It was one of the few recipes without a photo, which usually means I skip over it, but I’m incredibly glad I took the time to read it. It turned out to be an absolute triumph!
Chicken Cordon Bleu has always been a personal favorite, a dish that epitomizes classic French comfort food. However, the traditional preparation can be quite time and labor-intensive, involving pounding chicken, rolling it precisely, and often deep-frying. The idea of an “easy” version – one that promised the same beloved flavors but could be prepared in under 30 minutes – immediately captivated me. Count me in for anything that delivers gourmet taste with weeknight convenience!
Slight Adjustments for Perfect Results
While the recipe was fantastic overall, I made a couple of minor adjustments to suit my cooking style and ensure the best results. The original instructions seemed to suggest cooking only one side of the chicken in the pan before transferring it to the oven to melt the cheese. In my experience, even with thinly sliced chicken, a single-sided sear wasn’t enough to cook the chicken through completely. While pounding the chicken thinner might accelerate cooking, it would also detract from the “easy and fast” promise. Therefore, I opted to pan-fry both sides of the chicken until nicely browned, which only added a negligible 3-4 minutes to the total cooking time. This small step ensured the chicken was perfectly cooked and safe to eat without compromising the quick preparation.
Additionally, the original recipe specified two pieces of ham and two slices of cheese to be divided among four portions. Given the thinness of the deli ham I had, I decided to use a full slice of ham on each chicken breast. Similarly, for the Swiss cheese, which was also quite thin, I used a full slice per portion. While this adds a few extra calories, the rich, melty cheese and savory ham are integral to the cordon bleu experience, and I felt it was a worthwhile indulgence to enhance the flavor and satisfaction of each serving. My final modification was a slight reduction in the amount of panko breadcrumbs used for the topping. While I absolutely adored the crispy texture and flavor of the breadcrumbs (and admittedly snacked on the leftovers!), I found that a slightly lesser amount was sufficient to achieve the desired golden crust without being overpowering.
These minor tweaks did not complicate the process, nor did they extend the cooking time significantly. Instead, they adapted an already great recipe to deliver an even more satisfying culinary experience. I am genuinely thrilled to have *Supermarket Healthy* in my cookbook collection, and I eagerly anticipate exploring more of its quick, healthy, and delicious recipes!
Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu
Deborah Harroun
10 minutes
15 minutes
25 minutes
4
servings
Main Dish
French
Pin
Ingredients
- 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon + a dash of kosher salt
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large chicken breasts)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 oz deli sliced ham
- 4 thin slices of Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the panko breadcrumbs and cook, stirring constantly, until they are a deep, golden brown. Remove from the heat and stir in a dash of salt. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven broiler to high. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board, and using a sharp knife, cut the breasts in half lengthwise, forming 4 thinner pieces. (Alternately, you can use 4 chicken cutlets.) Season both sides of the chicken with the remaining salt and the pepper.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned, 3-4 minutes per side. (You may need to do this in 2 batches if your skillet isn’t big enough.) Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking sheet. Top each piece of chicken with a slice of ham and a slice of cheese.
- Broil the chicken until the cheese is melted and bubbly, 3-4 minutes. Make sure to keep a close eye on it as it can brown quickly.
- Serve the chicken sprinkled with the reserved breadcrumbs.
Recipe Notes:
chicken cordon bleu, quick dinner, healthy recipe, Melissa d’Arabian, Supermarket Healthy, weeknight meal