Chicken Cordon Bleu

Ingredients:
4 boneless chicken breasts
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 thin slices of ham
4 strips of white cheese (1/2" thick and 1" long - I just use a half slice of provolone)
1/2 cup butter, melted

Directions:
Line 9" x 13" baking pan with foil
2. Place chicken breasts, one at a time, between two sheets of wax paper or in a plastic Ziploc (I used Ziploc). Gently pound with flat side of meat tenderizer until each is about 1/4" thick (I just use a rolling pin and pound away. Works awesome).
3. Combine bread crumbs and parmesan Cheese. Set aside. (I don't like breaded chicken, so I only use the parmesan cheese).
4. On each flattened chicken breast, lay a slice of thin ham.
5. Place a strip of cheese on top of ham. Roll up the chicken breast to enclose the ham and cheese as tightly as possible.
6. Dip each rolled chicken breast in melted butter and roll in bread crumbs/parmesan mixture until evenly coated. (I just place my chicken in the pan and pour the butter over and then sprinkle with parmesan cheese. It's easier and less messy).
7. Place, seam side down, on prepared pan. Drizzle with remaining melted butter. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until next day.
Freezes well (increase baking time about 15 minutes if frozen).
8. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
9. Bake uncovered 25 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink when lightly slashed. Serve with Mornay Sauce.

Mornay sauce: (makes 1 1/2 cups - I always double this because we like lots of sauce)
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
3/4 cup chicken broth
3/4 cup half n half
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Directions:
1. In small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour.
2. Using whisk, stir in chicken broth and half n half milk. Bring to a gentle boil. Cook on medium heat, stirring continuously until thickened, about 2 minutes.
3. Add parmesan cheese. Simmer 2 minutes

This goes great with asparagus and chicken flavored rice. The mornay sauce tastes good on everything!

From the kitchen of Tiffany N.