Cordon Bleu Chicken Recipe- Spaceships and Laser Beams

Name: Cordon Bleu Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 4 chicken breasts, (boneless and skinless); 8 slices ham; 8 slices Swiss cheese; ½ cup flour; 1 large egg; 2 tablespoons milk; 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; ½ cup chicken broth; 1 cup half and half cream; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; ⅓ cup parmesan cheese, (finely grated ); salt and pepper, (to taste)

close up shot of a piece of chicken cordon bleu on a plate

Stuffed with layers of ham and cheese and smothered in a simple sauce, this oven baked chicken cordon bleu is an easy recipe that will become a family favorite.

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Table of Contents

What Is Chicken Cordon Bleu?
Cordon Bleu Chicken Ingredients
Cordon Bleu Chicken Substitutions And Additions
How To Make Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu
How To Make Parmesan Sauce For Chicken Cordon Bleu
What Goes With Chicken Cordon Bleu?
Storing And Reheating This Cordon Bleu Chicken Recipe
Reheating Cordon Bleu Chicken
Why We Love This Recipe
Homemade Chicken Cordon Bleu
Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu FAQs
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE

The divine ham and cheese stuffing in this chicken cordon bleu takes a regular piece of chicken and makes it extra fancy. The cheese melts, making the inside ooey gooey once you cut into these tender chicken breasts, and the creamy sauce on top is rich and delicious.

close up overhead shot of chicken cordon bleu in a baking dish

What Is Chicken Cordon Bleu?

Chicken cordon bleu is a chicken dish that features chicken stuffed with ham and cheese, coated with crunchy golden breadcrumbs.

Cordon Bleu Chicken Ingredients

chicken cordon bleu raw ingredients that are labeled

This chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts coated in crispy breadcrumbs, but the standout elements are the slices of ham and Swiss cheese.

The ham contributes a smoky, salty flavor that complements the mild, nutty Swiss cheese.

A sauce with Dijon mustard and parmesan cheese adds richness and a touch of tanginess.

You’ll need:

4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
8 slices of ham
8 slices of Swiss cheese
½ cup of flour
1 large egg
2 tablespoons of milk
1 cup of seasoned breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter

For The Sauce:

4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
½ cup of chicken broth
1 cup of half and half cream
1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
⅓ cup of finely grated parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Cordon Bleu Chicken Substitutions And Additions

CHEESE: Cordon bleu usually uses Swiss cheese because it will melt a bit but still hold its shape.

However, other cheeses, such as mozzarella or Monterey Jack, would be a great option as well. You can either use slices or roll shredded cheese in the ham.

BREADCRUMBS: Using seasoned breadcrumbs makes this recipe super easy, but you can use plain breadcrumbs and season them to your taste if you would prefer.

If you want to add extra crunch to your breading, you could also use panko breadcrumbs.

HAM: Any type of thinly sliced ham will work for this great recipe. You can choose black forest ham or another type if you prefer.

You could also use prosciutto instead of ham in this recipe.

How To Make Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu

While this recipe sounds fancy, it’s easy to make. Let’s walk through the step-by-step instructions.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

This is a great recipe to make ahead of time. Prep the chicken and store in a casserole dish in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

STEP TWO: Use a sharp knife to cut a pocket into each of the chicken breasts. Set aside.

PRO TIP:

I find it easier to cut a pocket into the chicken to put the roll of ham and cheese in, however, you can also use a meat mallet to flatten the chicken and roll the flattened chicken, ham, and cheese all together. Be sure to use toothpicks to secure it so that it doesn’t unroll.

pocket being cut into chicken breast on a wooden cutting board

STEP THREE: Lay out two ham slices so that the edges are overlapping. Place two slices of Swiss cheese on top of the ham and roll them together.

STEP FOUR: Place the ham/cheese roll into the pocket of one of the chicken breasts and use a couple of toothpicks to hold the opening closed.

Repeat with the rest of the ham/cheese and chicken breasts.

chicken breast pockets stuffed and closed with toothpicks

STEP FIVE: Place flour in a wide shallow bowl or plate. In a separate wide shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and the milk.

Put the seasoned breadcrumbs in a third wide shallow dish.

STEP SIX: Dredge each chicken bundle in the flour, then dip it in the egg mixture, and finally dredge it in the breadcrumbs.

Make sure that both sides of the chicken breast are covered.

chicken dipped in flour, egg mixture, then bread crumbs

STEP SEVEN: Place the breadcrumb-coated chicken breasts into the prepared baking dish and place half of a tablespoon of butter on top of each.

PRO TIP:

At this stage, you can cover the baking dish and store it in the fridge to bake later.

slices of butter placed on top of chicken in a baking dish

STEP EIGHT: Bake for 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and a meat thermometer reads 165°F.

PRO TIP:

If you would like a crisper coating on your chicken, put it under the broiler for the last couple of minutes of baking until golden brown. Be sure to watch it closely so that it doesn’t burn.

How To Make Parmesan Sauce For Chicken Cordon Bleu

STEP ONE: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.

STEP TWO: Whisk in the flour until a smooth paste is formed.

STEP THREE: Slowly add the chicken broth to the flour mixture while stirring continuously. Keep stirring, and add in the heavy cream.

Continue to cook until the sauce has thickened.

STEP FOUR: Mix in the Dijon mustard and the parmesan cheese and stir until the cheese has melted into the sauce.

STEP FIVE: Remove from the heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.

STEP SIX: Serve over the chicken cordon bleu.

What Goes With Chicken Cordon Bleu?

This recipe is easy enough to make for a busy weeknight but fancy enough to serve to company.

A green bean casserole and crusty baguette would be the perfect complement to this easy chicken cordon bleu recipe.

Pair your chicken with classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli.

Transform your chicken cordon bleu into a delectable sandwich by placing it inside a toasted ciabatta roll. Add some lettuce and a drizzle of Dijon mustard for an extra layer of flavor and texture.

To please younger palates, serve chicken cordon bleu alongside buttered noodles or a simple mac and cheese.

For more chicken recipes, try our stuffed chicken breast or crack chicken casserole.

MORE CHICKEN RECIPES

Casserole Ideas

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole with Biscuits

Chicken Dinner Ideas

Tuscan Chicken

Storing And Reheating This Cordon Bleu Chicken Recipe

Whether you’ve got leftovers or you’re planning ahead, here’s what you need to know.

MAKE AHEAD: If you want to get a head start on your meal prep, you can assemble the chicken cordon bleu a day in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.

Simply follow the recipe up to the point of coating the chicken with breadcrumbs. Instead of baking, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate.

When you’re ready to cook, just pop it in the oven and follow the original cooking instructions.

IN THE FRIDGE: You can keep this classic chicken cordon bleu in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator.

IN THE FREEZER: If you would like to freeze leftovers of this chicken cordon bleu bake, allow them to cool completely in the refrigerator.

Place them in a freezer-safe container or large sealable freezer bag and store them in the freezer.

This chicken can be stored frozen for up to three months. Let chicken thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheating Cordon Bleu Chicken

You can reheat chicken cordon bleu in the oven instead of the microwave to avoid sogginess. Reheat for about ten minutes at 350°F.

close up shot of pieces of chicken cordon bleu served with vegetables on a plate

Why We Love This Recipe

CRISPY AND CHEESY PERFECTION: The combination of crispy, golden-brown breadcrumb coating and gooey Swiss cheese inside the chicken breast creates a delightful contrast in textures.

FLAVOR HARMONY: The smoky, savory flavor of the ham pairs perfectly with the mild, nutty Swiss cheese, while the creamy Dijon mustard sauce adds a tangy richness.

FREEZER-FRIENDLY: The fact that you can freeze this dish means you can enjoy the flavors of chicken cordon bleu even when you’re short on time.

Homemade Chicken Cordon Bleu

Delicious tender chicken smothered in cream sauce and stuffed with plenty of cheesy goodness, this chicken cordon bleu will be a winner every time.

Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu FAQs

Is it safe to put toothpicks in the oven?

Toothpicks are perfectly safe to put in the oven to hold your chicken together. An alternative is to use small sections of dried spaghetti to hold the chicken closed.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

This traditional cordon bleu can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge until you are ready to bake it.

Can I use different cheese in this recipe?

While Swiss cheese tends to hold up the best in this recipe, you could substitute it for mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese.

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