Again with the pasta recipes! I know, I know, but like I said, pasta is cheap and will take on any flavor you give it. Tonight we decided to turn our pasta into one of our favorite chicken dishes, Chicken Cordon Bleu. So here it is, one of our new favorite recipes!
Ingredients
Chicken (I used 6- 7 pre-cut chicken strips because they were on sale - 1 1/2 cups cooked and chopped.)
Penne (1lb or 1 box)
Ham (1/2 cup chopped or 1 package of deli ham)
Swiss cheese (1 cup + 1/8 cup for top, shredded)
White cheddar cheese (1/4 cup, shredded)
Mozzarella cheese (I used 2 individual packs of string cheese because it was in my fridge and melts nice; diced)
Parmesan cheese (1/8 cup)
1 cup whole milk
2 tbsp butter
1/4 cup of beer
Salt and pepper to taste
Flour (used to thicken sauce)
Directions
Cook your chicken (in the oven or the stove top.) You can cut it into bite size chunks before or after you cook it (depends on what cut of chicken you use). While your chicken is resting, begin to boil your water (salted water) for your penne. In a separate saucepan, add your butter, milk, and beer. Begin to simmer over med-low heat. Once your milk/beer mixture was become hot, remove about 3-4 tbsp into a small bow. Add 2 tbsp of flour. Mix until clump free and add back to the milk/beer mixture. Now add your cheeses (all but the Parmesan and the 1/8 cup of Swiss). Slowly stir until the cheese begins to melt. If you haven't already, add your penne to the boiling water. Continue to watch your cheese sauce so it doesn't stick or burn. Drain your pasta. Once the sauce has become smooth, in a large bowl, add your pasta, chopped chicken, and your chopped ham. Pour the sauce over the top and mix well. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees (F). Pour the pasta mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese and remaining Swiss cheese over the top. Place into oven and bake until the cheese has melted (about 5 minutes). Remove, cool and enjoy!
*To make this dish interesting, consider adding tomatoes, spinach, roasted garlic or any other veggies that tickle your fancy!
**The beer helps to lower the melting temp. for the cheese (learned that at a fondue restaurant!).
Ingredients
Chicken (I used 6- 7 pre-cut chicken strips because they were on sale - 1 1/2 cups cooked and chopped.)
Penne (1lb or 1 box)
Ham (1/2 cup chopped or 1 package of deli ham)
Swiss cheese (1 cup + 1/8 cup for top, shredded)
White cheddar cheese (1/4 cup, shredded)
Mozzarella cheese (I used 2 individual packs of string cheese because it was in my fridge and melts nice; diced)
Parmesan cheese (1/8 cup)
1 cup whole milk
2 tbsp butter
1/4 cup of beer
Salt and pepper to taste
Flour (used to thicken sauce)
Directions
Cook your chicken (in the oven or the stove top.) You can cut it into bite size chunks before or after you cook it (depends on what cut of chicken you use). While your chicken is resting, begin to boil your water (salted water) for your penne. In a separate saucepan, add your butter, milk, and beer. Begin to simmer over med-low heat. Once your milk/beer mixture was become hot, remove about 3-4 tbsp into a small bow. Add 2 tbsp of flour. Mix until clump free and add back to the milk/beer mixture. Now add your cheeses (all but the Parmesan and the 1/8 cup of Swiss). Slowly stir until the cheese begins to melt. If you haven't already, add your penne to the boiling water. Continue to watch your cheese sauce so it doesn't stick or burn. Drain your pasta. Once the sauce has become smooth, in a large bowl, add your pasta, chopped chicken, and your chopped ham. Pour the sauce over the top and mix well. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees (F). Pour the pasta mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese and remaining Swiss cheese over the top. Place into oven and bake until the cheese has melted (about 5 minutes). Remove, cool and enjoy!
*To make this dish interesting, consider adding tomatoes, spinach, roasted garlic or any other veggies that tickle your fancy!
**The beer helps to lower the melting temp. for the cheese (learned that at a fondue restaurant!).