A French Classic loved by adults and children alike
Breaded chicken is stuffed with ham and cheese. Often served with mash, salad or vegetables (green beans, spinach, etc.). Classic of French cuisine this dish is ready in 20min and with only 6 ingredients.
Recipe
Serves: 2 | Time: 20 min
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 slices of smoked or normal ham
- 2 individually wrapped American singles cheese
- 1 egg (for breading)
- Flour (for breading)
- Breadcrumbs (for breading)
- Oil for shallow frying
Method
- Flatten chicken breasts in between 2 sheets of baking papers. You can use a a kitchen mallet/ meat tenderiser or a rolling pin to do so (picture 1).
- Place one slice of ham in the middle of the flattened breast. The ham should be a bit smaller than the breast (picture 2).
- Fold slice of cheese in half and place on one half of the ham (picture 2).
- Fold chicken in half over the ham and cheese and trim excess (picture 3). I use the trimmings in a batch of pulled chicken.
- Repeat for the 2nd breast.
- Prepare breading starting by placing each of the following in an individual bowl or deep plate: flour, whisked egg, breadcrumbs (don’t forget to season).
- Bread the chicken starting by coating with flour then egg then breadcrumbs, making sure to shake off excess each time (picture 4).
- Heat 1 or 2 tbsp of oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Fry chicken in oil, for 3 to 4 minutes each side depending of the size of your meat.
- Serve with greens, salad or mash and enjoy!
Substitutions
I highlight here the core that makes the soul of the dish and suggest possible substitutions.
Core: The core here is the method: the stuffing of a meat with deli meat and cheese and its breading.
Substitutions: Once you have the method down you can play around with all the elements. You can swap out chicken for veal or beef; smoked ham for chorizo; American singles for gruyère… even the breadcrumbs can be swapped out.
| Recipe components | Possible substitutions* |
| Chicken breast | • Veal • Turkey (careful it dries out fast) • Pork • Beef |
| Smoked Ham | • Other deli meats (turkey, chorizo, etc.) • Vegetables or herbs (Mushroom duxelles, pesto, etc.) |
| American singles cheese | • Other cheeses (gruyère, compté, brie, etc.) |
| Breadcrumbs (homemade or shop bought) | • Panko breadcrumbs • Crushed cornflakes |
The Global Homecook 