Simple Chicken Cordon Bleu with Parmesan-Dijon Cream Sauce

I have always loved Chicken Cordon Bleu.  This is a real simple variation of such a classic dish.  The sauce, I must say, is great.  My ten year old daughter, whose culinary palate consists of  a maximum of 10 items, loved this dish, even the sauce!  I encourage you to try it.  I bet you have every ingredient in your kitchen right now.  Super quick to put together and easy on the wallet.

*Note: (The recipe below calls for 3 breasts, I used 2 – I did not alter the recipe otherwise.)

Ingredients
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half (like you’re butterflying, but finish the cut)
12 slices deli honey ham
1 cup Panko bread crumbs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 pounds thinly sliced Swiss cheese

Parmesan-Dijon Cream Sauce
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 chicken bouillon cube, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Parsley, for garnish if desired

Preparation
Coat a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, combine the bread crumbs and 2 tablespoons melted butter; set aside.

Lay all of the chicken breast halves in a single layer in the bottom of your baking dish – unlike the traditional CCB recipe, there is no second layer of chicken in this dish.  Top each breast with two slices of ham and 2 slices of Swiss cheese, so that the entire breast is covered.  Sprinkle bread crumbs over the top of the chicken.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (clear juices), the cheese is bubbly and the bread crumbs are golden brown.

While the chicken bakes, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium sauce pan over medium heat.  Whisk in the flour to form a roux, cook for 1 to 2 minutes.  Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly, make sure there are no clumps.  Stir in the bouillon and salt.  Whisk constantly until the mixture begins to thicken.  Remove from heat and stir in mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and Parmesan cheese.  Stir until the cheese is melted.  Keep the sauce warm.

Remove chicken from oven, plate, and top with sauce and garnish with parsley.

(This dish was inspired and adapted by a post on Pinterest)