Nothing beats the satisfaction of slicing into perfectly golden Chicken Cordon Bleu and watching that creamy Swiss cheese stretch. This classic dish transforms simple ingredients into restaurant-quality magic right in your kitchen.
My family asks for this recipe every Sunday dinner, and honestly, I can't blame them. The combination of tender chicken, smoky ham, and melted cheese wrapped in crispy breadcrumbs creates pure comfort food bliss that never gets old.
Why You'll Love This Chicken Cordon Bleu
This chicken cordon bleu recipe delivers everything you want in a weeknight dinner without the fuss. My husband always says it tastes like we ordered takeout from that fancy French place downtown, but better. The secret is in the technique - flattening the chicken just right so it cooks evenly and stays incredibly juicy.
Plus, you probably have most ingredients sitting in your fridge already. The homemade Dijon cream sauce takes it over the top, creating that restaurant experience at home. Even my pickiest eater (my teenage daughter) devours this every single time.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Chicken Cordon Bleu
- What You'll Need
- How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Aliana's Pro Tip
- Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- Storage & Reheating Instructions
- What to Serve With Chicken Cordon Bleu
- FAQs About Chicken Cordon Bleu
- More Recipes You'll Love
- Related
- Pairing
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
- More DINNER
What You'll Need
These pantry-friendly ingredients come together to create something truly special. I love how this recipe uses everyday items that most families already have on hand.
Main Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
- 4 thick slices deli ham (or more if using thin sliced)
- 8 ounces Swiss cheese, sliced
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
Dijon Cream Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- ½ cup Swiss cheese, shredded (optional)
Optional Extras
Fresh chopped parsley makes a beautiful garnish, and sometimes I add a pinch of paprika to the flour mixture for extra color.
The recipe card below has exact amounts and full instructions for perfect results every time.
How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu
Prep the Chicken
Place each chicken breast between plastic wrap sheets and use a mallet to flatten to ½ inch thick. This ensures even cooking and makes rolling much easier.
Season and Fill
Remove plastic and season chicken with salt and pepper. Layer ham slices to cover each breast, then top with Swiss cheese slices.
Roll It Up
Slowly roll up each chicken breast, using the plastic wrap underneath to keep everything compact and secure. Wrap completely in plastic wrap.
Chill Time
Place wrapped chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step helps everything hold together during cooking.
What are the ingredients in simple chicken cordon bleu? The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity - just chicken, ham, Swiss cheese, and a basic breading made from flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs.
Set Up Breading Station
Create three shallow bowls: flour mixed with onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper in the first; whisked eggs in the second; panko breadcrumbs in the third.
Bread the Chicken
Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove plastic wrap from chicken and coat each piece in flour mixture, then egg, then panko crumbs. Press gently to help coating stick.
Bake to Perfection
Place breaded chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 30-40 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Make the Sauce
While chicken bakes, melt butter in a saucepan. Whisk in flour, then slowly add milk until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Stir in mustard and optional cheese.
Serve and Enjoy
Garnish with fresh parsley and drizzle with that incredible Dijon cream sauce. Watch your family's faces light up with the first bite.
Aliana's Pro Tip
- The key to restaurant-quality cordon bleu is temperature control.
- My meat thermometer is my best friend here - 165°F internal temperature ensures perfectly cooked chicken that stays juicy inside that crispy coating.
- Also, don't skip the chilling step! It prevents the filling from leaking out during baking.
- My sister learned this the hard way when her first attempt turned into a cheesy mess in the oven.
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Feel free to swap Swiss cheese for Gruyere or even sharp cheddar if that's what you have. Turkey or pork tenderloin work beautifully instead of chicken. For a lighter version, try baking without breading and just season the outside well.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Store leftover baked chicken cordon bleu in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes to keep the coating crispy. The cream sauce keeps separately for up to 4 days and reheats perfectly on the stovetop with a splash of milk.
What to Serve With Chicken Cordon Bleu
This pairs beautifully with roasted asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad. My family's favorite combination is with honey-glazed carrots and wild rice pilaf. The rich flavors complement lighter sides perfectly.
FAQs About Chicken Cordon Bleu
What goes on chicken cordon bleu?
Traditional chicken cordon bleu features ham and Swiss cheese rolled inside flattened chicken breast, then breaded and baked until golden.
What are the ingredients in simple chicken cordon bleu?
You need chicken breasts, ham, Swiss cheese, flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs for the basic recipe. Seasonings and sauce ingredients are optional but recommended.
Is it better to bake or fry cordon bleu?
Baking is healthier and easier, giving you consistent results without the mess of frying. The coating still gets beautifully crispy in the oven.
What is the difference between chicken Kiev and cordon bleu?
Chicken Kiev is stuffed with herb butter, while cordon bleu contains ham and cheese. Both are breaded and cooked similarly, but the fillings create completely different flavor profiles.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you're looking for more elegant chicken recipes that bring restaurant sophistication to your Dinner table, these dishes deliver incredible flavor with classic techniques and impressive presentation:
Chicken Meatballs Recipe - Tender, juicy meatballs with herbs that melt in your mouth. Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits Recipe - Comfort food perfection with flaky, buttery biscuit topping.
Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl Recipe - Bold Mexican flavors in an easy weeknight bowl.
Want more elegant comfort? These chicken cordon bleu, sophisticated, and always a hit. Tried this recipe? Tag me on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes — I'd love to see your twist on it!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe:
Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Meat mallet To flatten chicken breasts evenly
- 1 Plastic wrap For pounding and wrapping chicken
- 3 Shallow bowls For breading station setup
- 1 Baking sheet Lined with parchment paper
- 1 Meat thermometer To check internal temperature
- 1 Medium saucepan For making Dijon cream sauce
Ingredients
- 4 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts - 6 oz each
- 1 teaspoon salt - for seasoning
- ½ teaspoon black pepper - for seasoning
- 4 slices deli ham - thick sliced preferred
- 8 ounces Swiss cheese - sliced
- ½ cup all purpose flour - for coating
- ½ teaspoon onion powder - for flour mixture
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder - for flour mixture
- 2 large eggs - beaten
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs - for coating
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter - for sauce
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour - for sauce
- 2 cups whole milk - for sauce
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard - for sauce
- ½ cup Swiss cheese - shredded, optional
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley - chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Place each chicken breast between plastic wrap sheets and flatten to ½ inch thickness using a meat mallet.
- Remove plastic wrap and season chicken with salt and pepper. Layer ham slices over each breast, then top with Swiss cheese.
- Carefully roll up each chicken breast, using plastic wrap to keep filling secure. Wrap tightly in plastic.
- Refrigerate wrapped chicken for at least 30 minutes to help maintain shape during cooking.
- Create three bowls: flour mixture with seasonings, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Remove plastic wrap and coat each chicken piece in flour, then egg, then panko. Press gently to adhere coating.
- Place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 30-40 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Melt butter in saucepan, whisk in flour, gradually add milk. Stir constantly until thickened, then add mustard and cheese.
- Slice chicken to show beautiful filling, drizzle with sauce, and garnish with fresh parsley.
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