Description
Savor culinary magic with this chicken cordon bleu meatloaf extravaganza, a hearty dish blending classic French-inspired flavors and comforting American tradition. Melted cheese, ham, and tender chicken create a mouthwatering experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) ground chicken
- 6 slices Virginia chicken ham
- 6 slices Swiss cheese
Binding and Seasoning:
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup (59 milliliters) mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons minced onion
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Breadcrumbs:
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) plain bread crumbs
- 3/4 cup (85 grams) panko breadcrumbs (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the ground chicken mixture by combining it with egg, bread crumbs, onion, garlic powder, parsley, salt, pepper, and mayonnaise in a spacious mixing bowl. Thoroughly blend ingredients until uniformly mixed.
- Grease a loaf pan or line with parchment paper, preheating the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Distribute half of the chicken mixture evenly across the pan’s bottom, creating a smooth base layer.
- Arrange chicken ham slices carefully over the initial meat layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Place Swiss cheese slices directly atop the ham, creating a rich, melty middle section.
- Gently cover the cheese and ham with remaining chicken mixture, sealing the internal layers completely.
- Add a final layer of ham and cheese on top for enhanced visual appeal and flavor complexity.
- Transfer the assembled meatloaf to the preheated oven, baking for 25 minutes until initial cooking stage is complete.
- Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs across the surface for a crispy, golden-brown exterior.
- Continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, verifying internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- While meatloaf cooks, craft the creamy Dijon gravy by melting butter and whisking in flour to create a smooth roux.
- Gradually incorporate heavy cream and milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumping.
- Enhance the sauce with Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard, simmering until thickened.
- Finish the gravy by stirring in Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- Allow meatloaf to rest briefly after removing from oven, then slice and serve generously topped with the luxurious Dijon gravy.
Notes
- Select ground chicken with moderate fat content to ensure the meatloaf stays moist and tender without becoming dry.
- Avoid overmixing the meat mixture, which can make the meatloaf dense and tough instead of light and tender.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like provolone or Gruyère for unique flavor profiles that complement the chicken.
- Use fresh breadcrumbs instead of store-bought for a more tender and flavorful meatloaf texture, enhancing overall moisture and taste.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 386
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 933 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 103 mg