Chicken Cordon Bleu with Green Beans Almondine

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted. We were on vacation last week visiting our family back home in Massachusetts. It was a lot of fun. Those vacations never last long enough...

Anyways, onto the reason we're here! We had Chicken Cordon Bleu for dinner tonight. I love this dish because it seems so fancy but it really is simple. It's an easy weeknight dinner and it will pass the test with even the pickiest eaters (ahem! Matt!). You can serve this with potatoes, rice, or pasta. Tonight we had pasta. I like to keep a common theme with my meals and a great way to do that is to use the same herbs on the vegetables or pasta/rice/potatoes as you use on the meat.

Chicken Cordon Bleu
2 Chicken breasts, cut in half lengthwise so that you end up with 4 pieces of chicken
1 Cup panko bread crumbs
1 Tbsp chives, chopped
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 egg, beaten
1/4 lb sliced ham
1/4 lb sliced Swiss cheese

• Place a chicken breast on your work surface. Layer 1 slice of cheese, 2 slices of ham, then 1 more slice of cheese on top of the chicken. Leave about ¾" of room at the top end of the chicken breast.
• Roll up the chicken, ham, and cheese. Then secure with 3 toothpicks.
• Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts.
• Mix together the bread crumbs, chives, and olive oil.
• Dip each chicken roll in the beaten eggs, then roll in the bread crumb mixture.
• Place the chicken rolls on a greased baking sheet, seam side down.
• Bake at 400° F for 30 to 35 minutes, until cooked through.
• Don't forget to remove the toothpicks!

While the chicken is baking, you can make the pasta and green beans.

Garlic and Chive Pasta
1/2 lb penne or other tube pasta
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp butter (I actually use Smart Balance)
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 Tbsp chives, chopped

• Cook the pasta until al dente, making sure to salt the water well.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant and soft.
• Strain the pasta, then add to the garlic and olive oil.
• Add the chives, then toss together.

Green Beans Almondine
1/2 lb green beans (I use the kind that come in the steamer bag)
2 Tbsp toasted slivered almonds
Salt and Pepper

• Steam the green beans until al dente. Make sure you don't over-cook them!
• Toss with the toasted almonds. Add salt and pepper to taste. I like a lot of pepper on mine.