Chicken cordon bleu is the dish to make if you want to impress. Layers of rolled ham and gooey cheese give the chicken an elegant appearance, and a bread crumb coating crisps up to golden-brown perfection in the oven. Topped off with a rich, creamy Dijon sauce, this dish looks and tastes like a restaurant-worthy 5-star dinner recipe.
We’ll let you in on a little secret, though: Our chicken cordon bleu recipe dish is easier to make than you’d think. In fact, it takes only about an hour to prepare (shh!).
How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu
You can make this chicken cordon blue recipe in four easy steps. First, flatten the chicken breasts so they’re easy to roll. Place the chicken between two pieces of waxed paper or plastic wrap. Start in the center, and pound lightly with the flat side of a meat mallet. Work your way out to the edges until the chicken is even in thickness. If you want to give yourself a head start, cut the chicken in half horizontally (a technique known as butterflying chicken). Then pound it until even.
From there, simply top each piece of chicken with ham and cheese, and roll it up to contain the filling inside. Coat the rolled chicken with bread crumbs, and bake until cooked!
OK, there’s actually a fifth optional step here. You don’t have to serve chicken cordon bleu with a sauce, but the sauce adds a wonderful richness and creamy finish. Our chicken cordon bleu sauce is a basic white sauce (or bechamel) made with Dijon mustard. It’s optional, but nice if you have an extra five minutes or so.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Pounding the breasts flattens them into an even shape so they’re easy to roll. It also tenderizes the meat by breaking down the muscle fibers.
- Deli ham: Ham adds a salty, savory and slightly smoky flavor to chicken cordon bleu. You can use the leftovers from a holiday ham recipe if you cut the ham into thin slices.
- Gruyere or Swiss cheese: Gruyere is a firm Swiss cheese with a nutty flavor, whereas the classic hole-studded Swiss cheese has a milder flavor. Both are great melting cheeses and will fill the rolled chicken with ooey-gooey goodness.
- Butter: Melted butter helps the bread crumbs adhere to the rolled chicken, ensuring the crust won’t fall off after the chicken bakes.
- Bread crumbs: Dry bread crumbs crisp up better in the oven than soft bread crumbs. Be sure to dry your bread in a low-temperature oven if you use homemade bread crumbs.
Directions
Step 1: Flatten the chicken
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Flatten the chicken breast halves to 1/4-inch thickness.
Step 2: Fill and roll the chicken
Top each flattened chicken breast with a slice of ham and cheese. Roll the chicken up, and tuck in the ends. Secure the chicken rolls with toothpicks.
Editor’s Tip: If you don’t want to use toothpicks, tightly roll the chicken in storage wrap. Chill for at least 30 minutes, or as long as overnight.
Step 3: Bread the chicken
Place the melted butter in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, stir together the bread crumbs, salt and paprika. Dip the rolled chicken in the butter, then roll it in the crumb mixture.
Step 4: Bake the chicken cordon bleu
Transfer the breaded chicken to a greased 8-inch square baking dish. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink. Discard the toothpicks, and serve.
Editor’s Tip: Chicken cordon bleu is finished cooking when the chicken and stuffing reach an internal temperature of at least 165°.
How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Sauce (optional)
- 1-1/2 teaspoons butter
- 1-1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Dash pepper
- 1/2 cup 2% milk
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
To make an easy chicken cordon bleu sauce, melt the butter in a small saucepan. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add the milk, and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook and stir for two minutes or until thickened. Remove the sauce from the heat, and stir in the mustard. Serve chicken cordon bleu sauce on the side, or drizzle it over the chicken just before serving.
Recipe Variations
- Change up the breading: Use panko bread crumbs to create an extra-crispy coating. You can also use crushed cornflakes or crackers, such as saltines or cheese-flavored crackers. Keep in mind that these products come pre-seasoned, so you may want to skip the added salt.
- Add herbs and spices: Feel free to jazz up the bread crumb mixture with a spice blend, or make seasoned bread crumbs with garlic powder, parsley, oregano, basil, thyme and rosemary.
- Use another cheese: To change up the flavor profile, use another melting cheese, such as sharp cheddar, tangy provolone, or melty mozzarella.
Can you make chicken cordon bleu ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the chicken for chicken cordon bleu a day ahead of time. Flatten the chicken breasts, and roll them up with the ham and cheese. Cover the rolls, and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. We don’t recommend breading the chicken beforehand, as the bread crumbs will become soggy in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, bread the chicken, then bake as directed.
How to Store Chicken Cordon Bleu
Chicken cordon bleu tastes best when eaten fresh, but you can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. Reheat the leftovers to an internal temperature of 165° in the microwave or the air fryer. (The air fryer is our favorite method to reheat fried chicken because it maintains the chicken’s crunchy exterior.)
For extended storage, you can freeze cooked chicken in freezer-safe resealable bags for up to four months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Tips
What is chicken cordon bleu?
Chicken cordon bleu is a breaded chicken dish made with ham and cheese. It’s often fried in oil, though we bake our chicken cordon bleu in this recipe. Cordon bleu means “blue ribbon” in French, and it’s a symbol of excellence.
What is the difference between chicken cordon bleu and chicken kiev?
Chicken cordon bleu and chicken kiev are both breaded chicken dishes, but they contain different fillings. Chicken cordon bleu contains ham and cheese, whereas chicken kiev is stuffed with butter and herbs.
What do you serve with chicken cordon bleu?
Serve chicken cordon bleu with a creamy Dijon sauce and a salad or vegetable side dish. Whip up a side of garlic mashed red potatoes or roasted vegetables like Parmesan roasted broccoli or green beans.
