Healthy Chicken Cordon Bleu
Healthy chicken cordon bleu is perfect whether you're looking for a date night in or a new family favorite dinner. Chicken is stuffed with ham and cheese, then rolled, breaded, and baked or air fried for a crispy, delicious, flavorful meal. It can also easily be made gluten-free!
Ingredients
- 1 lbboneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into 4 equal pieces)
- 4slices swiss cheese ((thinly sliced))
- 2 ouncesdeli ham ((thinly sliced))
- 1 largeegg
- 1 tbspwater
- ¼ cupgrated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cupbread crumbs ((gluten-free if needed))
- ½ tspgarlic powder
- ½ tsponion powder
- ½ tspdried parsley
- ½ tsppaprika
- ¼ tspground black pepper
- ¼ tspsalt
Directions
To assemble:
- 1
Preheat the oven or the air fryer to the temperature required for your cooking method (see below). Prepare the egg wash by beating the egg and water in a shallow bowl. Prepare the breading station by mixing the bread crumbs, parmesan, and seasonings together. Set aside.
- 2
Using a mallet, pound each piece of chicken breast into thin slices, about 1/4-1/2" thick. To keep your work station cleaner, you can place the chicken in a gallon-sized plastic bag while you're pounding it, then carefully remove. Very lightly season chicken with salt and pepper.
- 3
Place cheese on top of the chicken breasts - feel free to cut cheese in half or tear into pieces to evenly cover the cheese.
- 4
Layer a thin slice of ham on top of the cheese.
- 5
Carefully roll the chicken. Once rolled, place seam-side down while rolling the remaining pieces of chicken. As long as the chicken stays seam/ open-side down, the chicken will remain rolled without the need of twine or toothpicks.
- 6
Carefully coat each rolled chicken piece in the egg wash, then transfer to the seasoned bread crumbs and coat chicken evenly.
To oven bake:
- 1
Preheat oven to 450°F. Place chicken on a sheet pan (I like to line it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easier clean up). Lightly spray the tops of the chicken with nonstick spray to promote better browning. Bake in a 450°F oven for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is crisp and golden brown and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. Remove from oven, let rest a couple minutes, then serve.
To air fry:
- 1
Preheat air fryer to 400°F (if your air fryer preheats). Lightly spray the rack/ air fryer basket and the tops of the chicken with nonstick spray to promote better browning. Once chicken is placed inside the frying basket (chicken pieces should not be touching), "fry" for 12-15 minutes. When done, chicken should be crisp, golden brown, and the internal temperature should reach 165°F. Remove, let rest a couple minutes, then serve.