Air-Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Classic chicken cordon bleu, or “blue ribbon” chicken, is made by pounding chicken breasts into a thin layer, rolling them around a filling of savory ham and Swiss cheese, then coating them in egg and bread crumbs before pan-frying. Finished with a creamy Dijon sauce, it’s an elegant meal for sure. Though it’s not difficult to make, it is somewhat labor intensive. In order to create a simplified version of chicken cordon bleu, we’ve turned to the air fryer as a way to skip the breading and frying steps. The result is a recipe with all the flavors of the original, but a method that’s less hands-on. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can make a similar cordon bleu in an oven.

Ingredients for Air-Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

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• Chicken: As with the classic recipe, boneless, skinless chicken breast halves are the main ingredient. In the original recipe it’s helpful to start with larger chicken breasts, since that gives the best surface area once they’re pounded out into cutlets. In the air-fryer version the opposite is true. They must be on the smaller side, about four ounces each. This ensures that they cook all the way through in the air fryer. Larger chicken breasts may not cook sufficiently.
• Ham: Sliced deli ham, wrapped around the chicken, replaces the ham in the filling of the original recipe.
• Swiss cheese: We use sliced Swiss cheese to create the cheesy “cordon bleu” topping.
• Panko bread crumbs: Fluffy panko crumbs, sprinkled on top of the chicken, add a light, crisp texture that contrasts with the juicy chicken and gooey cheese. They replace the flour-egg-bread-crumb process of the original recipe.
• Cooking spray: Spritzing the panko with a little oil, either olive oil or vegetable oil-based cooking spray, helps the crumbs to brown in the air fryer. Just steer clear of baking sprays that contain flour.

Sauce:

• All-purpose flour: A tablespoon of flour helps thicken the white wine sauce to accompany the chicken.
• Milk: Simmered with a little flour and wine, milk creates a light, creamy sauce with a mild flavor. We call for 2% milk, but you can substitute a richer option if you prefer.
• White wine: Choose a dry white wine to add that classic Alpine flavor to a quick, creamy sauce for this air-fryer chicken cordon bleu.
• Swiss cheese: Shredded Swiss in the white wine sauce adds a flavor reminiscent of fondue.

Directions

Step 1: Prep and cook the chicken

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Preheat the air fryer to 365°F. Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then place them on a greased tray in the air-fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes. Top each chicken breast with one slice of ham and one-half slice of cheese, folding the ham in half and covering the chicken as much as possible. Sprinkle the tops with bread crumbs, then carefully spritz the crumbs with cooking spray. Cook until a thermometer inserted into the chicken reads 165°, five to seven minutes longer.

Step 2: Start the sauce

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In a small saucepan, whisk the flour and milk until smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, then cook and stir until it’s thickened, one to two minutes.

Step 3: Finish the sauce

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Reduce the heat to medium. Add the wine and shredded cheese, then cook and stir for two to three minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sauce is thickened and bubbly. Stir in the salt and pepper. Keep the sauce warm over low heat until you’re ready to serve it with the chicken.

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 Air-Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu Variations

• Swap types of ham: Use this same recipe method to cook the chicken, but replace the ham with prosciutto and the sliced Swiss cheese with fresh sage leaves for a crispy, easy version of chicken saltimbocca.
• Make it gluten-free: Making a gluten-free version of this air-fryer chicken cordon bleu is as easy as trading regular panko for one without gluten and using 1 tablespoon of a gluten-free all purpose flour blend to thicken the sauce.

How to Store Air-Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Allow any leftovers of air-fried chicken cordon blue to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can reheat them in the microwave, but the bread crumb topping will remain soggy. For best results, we recommend reheating them in an 300° air fryer until warmed through and the bread crumbs have crisped.

Can you make air-fryer chicken cordon bleu ahead of time?

You can make it ahead of time and then reheat it according to the instructions above, but note that the chicken itself is relatively lean, so repeated warming will likely dry it out somewhat, despite the ham and cheese topping.

Air-Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu Tips

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Can you make the sauce without alcohol?

Yes, you can substitute an equivalent amount of chicken broth or stock with a splash of champagne vinegar added. The addition of vinegar replaces the acidity of the wine in the finished sauce.

What to serve with air-fryer chicken cordon bleu?

Even the simplified version of this dish is somewhat rich and indulgent. Serve it with a refreshing and sharp nectarine arugula salad or a simple cooked vegetable side such as roasted asparagus.