This Twist On Classic Chicken Cordon Bleu Makes A Delicious Weight Watchers Recipe

This healthier Chicken Cordon Bleu is a perfect dinner when you are trying to impress your guests.

We all love that crispy fried chicken roll filled with ham and melted cheese, but it’s not necessarily the healthiest option.

So, what’s the plan? I’ll swap out the traditional York ham for smoked turkey breast, the Emmental cheese for cottage cheese, and, obviously, we won’t be frying anything in copious amounts of oil; instead, we’ll turn to our trusty air fryer to achieve Chicken Cordon Bleu that rivals the traditional version.

Why you should try Chicken Cordon Bleu

There’s no need for excuses to prepare fried chicken, and if it has gourmet flair, even better. This recipe pairs well with any side dish; from a bean stew to a steamed salad, Cordon Bleu complements absolutely everything. In fact, I’ve even had bits of this recipe for breakfast paired with scrambled eggs and beans. This recipe can only be made with chicken breast, and we all know it’s 0 points for those of us on Weight Watchers, which is a great benefit. So a full serving of cordon bleu has just 2 weight watchers points.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4

Serving Size: 1 chicken cordon bleu (200 g.)

Ingredients:

•  4 chicken cutlets (about 1 pound or 450 g)
• 1 egg
• 4 slices of ham deli meat, 52 g.
• 8 Oz of cottage cheese, 250 g.
• 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• ½ cup (50 g) of Italian seasoning breadcrumbs
• Cooking spray oil

Instructions:

Start by preparing the chicken cutlets. Place each chicken cutlet between two sheets of plastic wrap or wax paper. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the chicken to an even thickness of about ¼ inch (0.6 cm). Season both sides of the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper.

Lay a slice of deli ham on top of each chicken cutlet, followed by a tablespoon of cottage cheese spread evenly over the ham.

Carefully roll up each chicken cutlet, starting from one end and tucking in the sides as you roll, to form a tight roll. Wrap each rolled chicken cutlet tightly in plastic wrap, forming it into a cylindrical shape like a candy wrapper. Place the wrapped rolls on a plate or tray and transfer them to the freezer. Let them freeze for about 2 hours, or until firm.

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). After freezing, unwrap the chicken rolls and discard the plastic wrap.

In a shallow bowl, beat the egg. In another shallow bowl, place the Italian seasoning bread crumbs with the cornstarch.

Dip each chicken roll first into the beaten egg, ensuring it’s fully coated, then dredge it in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere. Repeat the process for all chicken rolls.

Lightly coat the basket of your air fryer with cooking spray. Place the breaded chicken rolls into the basket, seam side down, making sure they are not touching each other.

Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crispy.

Once cooked, remove the chicken cordon bleu from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Serve the chicken cordon bleu hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy!

This modified recipe ensures that your chicken cordon bleu turns out perfectly crispy and delicious, thanks to the air fryer cooking method. The freezing step helps the rolls hold their shape during cooking, resulting in a mouthwatering dish that’s sure to impress!

Variations and Substitutions

1.  Many versions of Cordon Bleu are made with beef, and they taste delicious too; just make sure to use tender cuts like tenderloin or sirloin steaks.

2.  As for the filling, I don’t recommend opting for other cheeses besides cottage cheese because it automatically sets off the points calculator. However, you can add sun-dried tomatoes (they’re fabulous), some dried mushrooms, and even a spoonful of yogurt for a creamy filling.

3.  When breading, the more seasonings you can add, the better; it’s essential to have great flavor. Try adding oregano, thyme, or marjoram.

Tips and Tricks section for making Chicken Cordon Bleu

1.  Chicken is usually flattened before stuffing to facilitate the rolling process. I usually place plastic wrap on the base and over each piece of chicken, and then flatten it with a rolling pin to get it as flat as possible.

2.  With the same plastic wrap, I roll it up like a candy and put it in the freezer for a couple of hours; this way, they stay sealed inside the air fryer. Obviously, you have to remove the plastic wrap before putting them in the air fryer.

3.  If you’re not using plastic wrap, seal with toothpicks to keep the filling in place.

4.  Make sure to preheat the air fryer and give it 2 or 3 turns.

And there you have it! Our reinvented Chicken Cordon Bleu is ready to take your taste buds.

WW Points

Uncooked boneless skin-less chicken breast 0 points
Egg 0 points
96% fat-free deli sliced ham 5 points
Fat free cottage cheese 0 points
Cornstarch 1 point
Black pepper 0 points
World Classics Bread Crumbs, with Italian Seasoning 3 points
Cooking spray 0 points