Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Servings: 4
Yield: 4 servings

Description

Classic chicken cordon bleu flavors — chicken, ham, and Gruyère — are all here in this easy, satisfying sandwich that takes half the effort to prepare.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
1 tsp butter, melted
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup diced smoked ham
1/2 cup diced onion
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon milk
3/4 cup Gruyere
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste
1 pinch ground nutmeg
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 cup diced cooked chicken breast
1/4 cup diced dill pickles
4 (1/2 inch thick) slices toasted French bread

Directions

1 Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
2 Combine bread crumbs and 1 teaspoon melted butter in a small bowl.
3 Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add ham and onion; cook until onion turns translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in thyme; cook for 1 minute. Add flour; cook, stirring constantly, until flour smells nutty, about 3 minutes. Off heat, add 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk. Return saucepan to medium heat; cook, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens, 1 to 2 minutes.
4 Off heat, add 1/2 cup Gruyère cheese, Dijon, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper; stir to combine. Fold in chicken and pickle.
5 Place toasted bread slices on the prepared baking sheet; divide and brush one side of each slice with remaining 1 tablespoon melted butter. Flip slices; top each with 1/4 chicken mixture. Divide and sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup Gruyère cheese over sandwiches; top with bread crumb mixture.
6 Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is bubbling and chicken mixture is hot, 15 to 20 minutes.