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two chicken breasts coated in a thin golden layer of very finely ground plain dry breadcrumbs with a fine sandy texture and no coarse panko flakes or green herb flecks on a plain plate at a bare weeknight dinner table, one breast sliced to reveal a flat pocket of pink ham and melted Swiss cheese inside opaque cooked chicken, with no toothpicks, rolled spirals or sauce
Melissa Hart

Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

A pocket cut into each breast holds ham and Swiss without rolling the meat into a thick cylinder. The thinner shape makes air-fryer timing easier to judge, and a crisp breadcrumb coating keeps the filling tucked inside. Don't overfill the pocket. Close it securely, check the chicken beside the cheese rather than probing only melted filling, and remove every toothpick before the first slice exposes the warm ham-and-Swiss center.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 7 oz each
  • 2 oz thinly sliced deli ham
  • 2 oz Swiss cheese cut into thin sticks
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 3/4 cup plain fine breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 tsp fine salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 1/2 tbsp neutral oil

Method
 

  1. Preheat a 6-quart air fryer to 370°F for 3 minutes. Cut a horizontal pocket into each breast from the thick side, leaving the opposite edge attached.
  2. Spread Dijon inside the pockets. Wrap Swiss sticks in ham, tuck into the pockets and close with wooden toothpicks.
  3. Put flour in one shallow dish, beat egg with water in a second and mix breadcrumbs, salt and pepper in a third. Coat chicken in flour, egg and crumbs and dab all surfaces with oil.
  4. Arrange the breasts with space between them. Air fry for 12 minutes, turn carefully and cook for 10 to 15 minutes more until the thickest chicken beside the pocket and the filling center reach 165°F.
  5. Rest for 5 minutes, remove every toothpick and slice across the pockets to show the ham and cheese.