Here is that American favorite, Chicken Cordon Bleu, deconstructed. This gorgeous dish pulls the soggy ham and cheese out of the stuffing, layering them instead over a crisp, juicy chicken cutlet. The rich triple cream cheese begins to melt when it hits the panko-crusted chicken, which then anchors the paper-thin slices of cured ham to them both. Baby arugula is tossed in a bright, acidic vinaigrette of Dijon mustard and red wine vinegar before being placed atop the dish. The peppery arugula and mustardy vinaigrette cut through the richness of the cheese and complement the salty ham. I serve this at lunch, but it would be wonderful at dinner as well.

　　

Ingredients

Serves 4

　　

Chicken

1 cup all-purpose flour

　　3 large eggs, lightly beaten

　　2 cups panko bread crumbs

　　Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

　　4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

　　6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter

　　2 tablespoons olive oil

　　1/4 pound Red Hawk triple cream cheese, Brie, or Camembert, thinly sliced

　　8 thin slices country ham or prosciutto

　　

Arugula Salad

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

　　1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

　　Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

　　1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

　　1/4 pound baby arugula

　　

Step 1

To cook the chicken, put the flour, eggs, and bread crumbs in 3 separate shallow bowls and season each with salt and pepper.

　　

Step 2

Place each chicken breast between 2 pieces of wax paper and pound to 1/4-inch thickness.

　　

Step 3

Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper and then dredge each breast in the flour and tap off the excess. Dip into the egg wash and let the excess drip off, then dredge on both sides in the bread crumbs. Place on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.

　　

Step 4

Preheat 2 large nonstick sauté pans over high heat. Add 3 tablespoons of the butter and 1 tablespoon of the oil to each pan and heat until the butter is melted and sizzling. Place 2 breasts in each pan and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Flip the breasts over and continue cooking until golden brown and the chicken is cooked through, about 3 minutes.

　　

Step 5

To make the arugula salad, whisk together the vinegar and mustard in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the oil until emulsified. Add the arugula and toss to coat the leaves with the vinaigrette.

　　

Step 6

Transfer each breast to a large plate and immediately top with a few slices of cheese, then a few slices of ham, and some of the arugula salad.

　　Reprinted with permission from Bobby Flay's Bar Americain Cookbook by Bobby Flay with Stephanie Banyas and Sally Jackson, (C) 2011 Clarkson PotterBOBBY FLAY, a New York Times bestselling author, is the chef-owner of six fine dining restaurants, including Mesa Grill, Bar Americain, and Bobby Flay Steak, and an expanding roster of Bobby's Burger Palaces. He is the host of numerous popular cooking shows on Food Network, from the Emmy-winning Boy Meets Grill and Grill It! with Bobby Flay, to the Iron Chef America series, Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, and Food Network Star. Brunch @ Bobby's debuted on the Cooking Channel in fall 2010 and America's Next Great Restaurant debuted in March 2011 on NBC. This is his eleventh book. His website is BobbyFlay.com.