Chicken Cordon Bleu Bites

By TrayH

•We turned this five-star restaurant entrée into a casual, bite-sized, even-better-than-the-real-thing comfort food.

Ingredients

• ~For the Bites:
• 1 lb ground chicken, cooked and finely crumbled
• 1/4 lb thinly sliced smoked deli ham, finely chopped
• 3 Tbsp butter
• 1/3 cup minced onions
• 1 cup + 4 Tbsp flour, divided
• 1-1/4 cup milk
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• Pinch of smoked paprika
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1-1/2 cups cornflake crumbs
• Oil, for frying
• ~For the Sauce:
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2-1/2 Tbsp flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 2 cups grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Pinch of nutmeg

Preparation

Step 1

~To prepare the bites:

* Place the chicken and ham into a medium-size bowl.

* Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.

* Add the onions and sauté until translucent.

* Stir in 4 Tbsp flour and cook for a minute.

* Add the milk, mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika.

* Stir and heat until the sauce begins to simmer and has thickened.

* Fold the sauce into the bowl with the chicken and ham.

* Spread the mixture out onto a baking sheet and refrigerate until cool and firm, about 30 minutes.

~While mixture is cooling, make the dipping sauce.

* Melt the butter on medium-high heat in a medium saucepan.

* Add the flour and stir for about a minute.

* Add the milk and chicken stock and continue to stir while heating.

* When the sauce has almost begun to simmer and has thickened, add the cheese, salt and nutmeg.

* Stir until the cheese has melted and sauce is smooth.

* Hold on very low heat until ready to serve, stirring occasionally.

~To bread and cook the bites:

*Heat a deep fryer or Dutch oven with oil to 375°F.

* Take the cooled mixture by rounded tablespoonfuls and roll into balls.

* Place them on a clean baking sheet.

* In separate shallow bowls, place 1 cup flour, eggs, and crumbs.

* Coat the bites 4–6 at a time with flour and then dip and coat completely with egg. Finally, roll the bites in the bread crumbs, coating completely.

* Place the bites back onto the baking sheet.

* Deep-fry the bites in batches of 6–8 at a time for about 3–4 minutes, or until deep-golden brown.

* Serve with the dipping sauce.