Q1: What is the real difference between this recipe and a classic, traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu?

A traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu is a much more labor-intensive dish. It involves pounding a chicken breast thin, layering it with ham and cheese, rolling it up tightly, and then breading and frying it . This brilliant, "deconstructed" recipe gives you all the same delicious, classic flavors, but it achieves it in a fraction of the time by simply layering all the components on top of a pan-seared chicken breast and melting the cheese under the broiler.

Q2: What is mascarpone cheese, and is there a good substitute?

Mascarpone is a type of very rich, soft, and mild Italian cream cheese. It has a much higher fat content than American cream cheese, which makes it incredibly smooth and gives it a texture that is similar to a thick crème fraîche. If you cannot find it, the best substitute would be an equal amount of a high-quality, full-fat cream cheese that has been whipped until it is very smooth.

Q3: How do I keep my chicken breasts from being dry and tough?

The number one, game-changing secret is to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness . Chicken breasts are naturally thicker on one end than the other. Pounding them to a uniform thickness (about 1/2-inch) ensures that the entire piece of chicken cooks evenly and quickly, which prevents the thinner parts from drying out before the thicker part is cooked through.

Q4: What is the best skillet to use for a stovetop-to-broiler meal like this one?

The absolute best tool for this job is a large, 12-inch, oven-safe skillet . A well-seasoned cast-iron skillet or a heavy-bottomed stainless steel skillet are both fantastic choices, as they get a great sear on the stovetop and can go seamlessly under the hot broiler.

Q5: Can I use a different kind of cheese?

Of course! While Emmentaler or Swiss are the classic choices, this dish would also be delicious with another good melting cheese, like a nutty Gruyère, a creamy fontina, or a mild provolone .

Quick & Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu (20-Minute Recipe!)

The Best Quick & Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu (20-Minute Recipe!)

An easy, deconstructed version of a classic Chicken Cordon Bleu, all made in a single ovenproof skillet. This quick recipe features pan-seared boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are layered with slices of Swiss or Emmentaler cheese and Black Forest ham. The dish is topped with a simple, creamy sauce of whole-grain mustard and mascarpone cheese, and then finished under the broiler until the top layer of cheese is melted, golden brown, and bubbly.

Author: Grace

Ingredients

3 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
2 tablespoons mascarpone cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
Four 5-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Kosher salt
4 large thin slices Emmentaler or Swiss cheese (approximately 4 ounces)
8 thin slices Black Forest ham (approximately 4 ounces)

Instructions

In a small bowl, mix together the whole-grain mustard and mascarpone cheese. Set aside.
Preheat the broiler to high.
Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.
Sprinkle the chicken breasts evenly with 1 teaspoon of salt. Place the chicken in the hot skillet and cook on the first side for about 4 minutes, until golden brown.
Flip the chicken and continue to cook for about 2 more minutes, until just cooked through. Remove the skillet from the heat.
Lay one slice of cheese on each chicken breast. Then, lay two slices of ham on top of the cheese on each breast.
Divide and spread the mustard-mascarpone sauce evenly over the ham.
Top each breast with another slice of cheese.
Transfer the entire skillet to the broiler and cook for about 2 minutes, until the cheese is melted, golden brown, and bubbly.

Notes

This is a quick, skillet-to-broiler recipe that simplifies the traditional Cordon Bleu by layering the ingredients instead of stuffing and breading the chicken.
An ovenproof skillet is essential for this recipe so it can be safely transferred from the stovetop to under the broiler.
This is a naturally low-carb and gluten-free dish.

Find it online: https://www.eatswithsoul.com/the-best-quick-easy-chicken-cordon-bleu-20-minute-recipe/