Monte Cristo-Stuffed Chicken Cutlets

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
4 tablespoons Dijon mustard, divided
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
4 deli-cut slices Swiss cheese
4 deli-cut slices mild, imported ham
Flour, for dredging plus 1 tablespoon
3 eggs, beaten
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 tablespoons canola oil

3 tablespoons butter, divided
1 1/2 to 2 cups chicken stock
2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey

Yields: 4

Preparation

Halve chicken breasts through to make 8 cutlets; pound very thin, about 1/4 inch. Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Spread a thin layer of Dijon on one side of the cutlets and sprinkle with thyme. Fold and arrange 1 slice each of cheese and ham on 4 cutlets, leaving a little chicken exposed all around. Place the remaining cutlets Dijon-side down over the top and press down at the edges to form 4 stuffed cutlets. Dredge in flour.

Beat eggs and lemon juice together in a shallow dish.

Heat a large skillet with oil, 2 turns of the pan, over medium to medium-high heat. Melt 1 tablespoon butter into oil.

Turn 2 stuffed cutlets in egg batter and add to pan. Cook about 8 minutes, turning occasionally or until cooked through and golden. Transfer to a platter and cover loosely with foil. Melt another tablespoon into the pan and brown remaining cutlets. Remove to the platter.

Add remaining butter to pan and sprinkle in flour 1 minute, whisk in stock and thicken to form gravy; season with salt and pepper. Whisk in maple syrup or honey and mustard.

Halve stuffed breasts, top with gravy and serve.