Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe

Learn how to make chicken cordon bleu using these easy step-by-step instructions! Ham and cheese stuffed chicken breasts are breaded in panko and then baked until crisp. It’s deceptively easy to make and sure to impress.

If you love stuffed chicken breast, chicken cordon bleu has to be next on your list.

Coming from a half-European background, cordon bleu was one of our dinnertime staples. My sister and I would always request this dish, and why not? It combines all our favorite things in one- chicken, cheese, ham, and a creamy sauce!

Now, traditional chicken cordon bleu recipes involve frying the chicken, but we do things a little differently. My baked version is slightly lighter but doesn’t sacrifice the golden crust or tender chicken. It’s just as delicious as the classic, especially when topped with the creamy Dijon cordon bleu sauce.

Why this recipe works

• Low maintenance, yet flavorful. Baking the stuffed chicken until it’s crisp and juicy cuts down on the mess while the Dijon cream sauce on top adds a ton of delicious flavor. 
• Short list of simple ingredients. Despite feeling like a fancy French dish, this recipe is made with simple and easy-to-find ingredients.
• It’s versatile. Baked chicken cordon bleu is easy to make for meal prep or for weeknight dinners. However, it also feels elegant enough to impress guests at dinner parties and holidays!

Ingredients needed

All of these ingredients are close to what you’d find in the traditional time-honored chicken dish. Here’s everything you need: 

• Chicken. Use large, boneless, and skinless chicken breasts. If frozen, let them thaw overnight in the fridge before using. 
• Ham. You can use any thinly sliced deli ham, including black forest, Virginia, honey-roasted, capicola, etc. 
• Swiss cheese. Use deli-sliced Swiss cheese if possible because cheese from pre-sliced packages doesn’t melt as nicely. You can also use Swiss cheese shredded directly from the block. 
• Panko bread crumbs. For a light coating and maximum crunch! You can substitute panko for plain or Italian-seasoned regular bread crumbs.
• Parmesan cheese. For a cheesy and salty flavor in the breadcrumb coating. 
• Italian seasoning. Use a pre-mixed blend or make your own.
• Eggs. Dipping the cordon bleu logs in egg wash gives the bread crumbs a wet surface to cling to and helps the crust turn golden in the oven.

For the Dijon cream sauce:

• Butter. Adds flavor and works with the flour as a thickening roux. 
• Flour. To help thicken the sauce.  
• Heavy cream. This is the base of standard cream sauce. It makes it extra rich and creamy. 
• Dijon mustard. For a touch of tang! If you don’t have dijon, whole grain or spicy brown mustard will work in a pinch.
• Salt and black pepper. For flavor. 

How to make chicken cordon bleu

Set up the breading stations. Assemble the breading stations. Stir the panko bread crumbs, parmesan, and Italian seasonings in a bowl. In a separate bowl, crack the eggs and beat until smooth. 

Pound the chicken breasts. Lay a piece of plastic wrap on a flat surface and place a chicken breast on top. Cover with another piece of plastic. Pound the chicken into a thin and even thickness using a meat tenderizer or rolling pin. Repeat with the remaining chicken.

Stuff, bread, and roll. Remove the top piece of plastic from the pounded chicken. Place a slice of ham and a slice of Swiss cheese on top.

Roll up the chicken breast to form a log shape.

Unwrap the rolled chicken from the plastic and dip it in the egg, followed by the bread crumb-parmesan mixture. Place it on the prepared baking sheet seam side down and repeat with the other chicken breasts.

Bake. Bake the chicken cordon bleu in the oven until the chicken is cooked through and the breading is golden. 

Make Dijon cream sauce. While the chicken is baking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, then slowly add the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Whisk in the mustard, salt, and pepper, and gently simmer until it thickens.

Rest, slice, and serve. Let the baked chicken rest for 5 minutes out of the oven. Plate each chicken breast, drizzle some Dijon cream sauce over the top, then enjoy!

Recipe tips and tricks

Avoid over-pounding the chicken. Take your time pounding each chicken breast to an even ¼ inch thickness, but don’t go overboard. You want to whack the chicken firmly, but not with so much force that the pieces fall apart. If you’re new to pounding chicken, try chicken cutlets.

Use toothpicks. Are the rolled and stuffed chicken breasts unraveling? You can secure them with a toothpick or two. Just remember to remove them before serving!

Rest the chicken logs. If you have extra time, place the plastic-wrapped logs of stuffed chicken in the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes. This makes it easier for the logs to hold their shape during breading and baking. 

Avoid overcooking. To prevent the chicken from overcooking, use a meat thermometer and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (or a few degrees less as the temperature will rise an additional 2 to 3 degrees while the chicken rests). 

Variations 

Feel free to mix and match the filling ingredients with other types of cheese, sliced meats, or sauces: 

Cheese: Swiss is standard, but that doesn’t mean it’s your only option. Try sharp cheddar, white cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, gruyere, gouda, or fontina cheese instead. 

Meat filling: Instead of sliced ham, roll the chicken and cheese up with prosciutto or pancetta. Bacon or turkey bacon is also an option.

Finishing sauce: Instead of Dijon cream sauce, try drizzling the baked chicken with honey mustard sauce, mushroom cream sauce, or any other thick, creamy, and flavorful sauce. 

What to serve with this dish

This classic cheesy stuffed chicken pairs well with practically any side. For a well-balanced and complete meal, pair each chicken cordon bleu with scalloped potatoes, mashed potatoes, or mashed cauliflower, green veggies like broccoli, asparagus, or brussels sprouts, and flavor-forward salads like this Green Goddess Salad and this Healthy Greek Couscous Salad.

Storage instructions

Make ahead: You can pound, stuff, and bread the chicken up to 1 day in advance. Keep the chicken covered in the fridge overnight. The next day, set it out at room temperature for about 10 minutes before baking as instructed. 

To store: Let the leftovers cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

To freeze: This recipe freezes best before baking, making it an excellent make-ahead meal. First, prep the chicken up until it’s coated in panko. Freeze it in a freezer-safe container or wrap it individually in plastic for 2 to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking. 

Reheating: Reheat the leftover chicken in the oven or air fryer at 350°F until warmed through. 

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