Cheese Chicken Cutlets

Ingredients

Four 6-ounce chicken cutlets, about 1/2 inch thick

 

4 thin slices of plain havarti cheese

 

4 teaspoons chopped thyme

 

1/2 cup chicken stock

 

1/4 cup heavy cream

 

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

 

Salt and freshly ground pepper

 

2 large eggs

 

2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

 

All-purpose flour, for dredging

 

Extra-virgin olive oil, for frying

 

                                        

                               How to Make It

Step 1    

Preheat the oven to 350°. Using a small knife, cut a 4-by-3-inch pocket in the side of each chicken cutlet. Insert a havarti slice and spread 1 teaspoon of thyme in each pocket; press gently to close.

Step 2    

In a small saucepan, boil the chicken stock and cream over moderately high heat until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the mustard and boil for 30 seconds, whisking a few times. Season with salt and pepper and remove from the heat.

Step 3    

In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs. Beat in the Parmigiano-Reggiano. Put the flour in another shallow bowl.

Step 4    

In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1/4 inch of olive oil. Season the cutlets with salt and pepper. Dredge 2 cutlets in flour, shaking off the excess, then coat with the beaten egg. Fry over moderately high heat until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet. Coat and fry the remaining cutlets.

Step 5    

Bake the chicken for about 12 minutes, until just cooked through. Reheat the mustard sauce and pour onto plates. Set the cutlets on the sauce and serve.