Description
Hearty chicken cordon bleu meatloaf combines classic comfort with elegant French-inspired flavors. Savory ground chicken, Swiss cheese, and ham create a delicious main dish perfect for family dinners you’ll want to savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 1/2 pounds (680 grams) ground chicken
- 1 cup diced ham
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
Binding and Seasoning:
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (for topping)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Seasoning and Topping:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a loaf pan with a light grease coating.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend ground chicken with breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Gently incorporate diced ham and shredded Swiss cheese into the meat mixture, ensuring even distribution without overmixing.
- Carefully transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan, sculpting it into a uniform loaf shape with gentle, even pressure.
- Create a zesty topping by whisking mayonnaise and Dijon mustard until smooth and creamy.
- Spread the mustard-mayo mixture evenly across the surface of the meatloaf, covering it completely.
- Generously sprinkle panko breadcrumbs over the top to create a crisp, golden exterior.
- Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, monitoring until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from the oven and allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes, enabling the juices to redistribute and ensuring a moist, cohesive texture.
- Slice and serve the meatloaf while still warm, revealing the delectable layers of ham and cheese within.
Notes
- Swap ground chicken for turkey to create a lighter version of this classic dish, maintaining similar texture and flavor profile.
- Ensure precise meat mixture consistency by gently mixing ingredients, avoiding overworking which can lead to dense, tough meatloaf.
- Consider adding finely chopped herbs like parsley or thyme to enhance the overall flavor complexity and provide a fresh aromatic touch.
- For gluten-free adaptation, replace regular breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs without compromising the meatloaf’s structural integrity.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 354 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg