Chicken Cordon Bleu
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Master the classic chicken cordon bleu: juicy chicken, savory ham, and melty Gruyère cheese, all bundled up in a crispy golden crust.
Chicken Cordon Bleu, or “blue ribbon chicken,” might sound intimidating with its fancy-sounding name, but it’s easier to make than you’d think. Hailing from Switzerland—it has nothing at all to do with the famous Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Paris—it features succulent chicken, savory ham, and melty Gruyere cheese, all rolled up and encased in a crispy golden crust.
The dish becomes even more irresistible when served with a simple dijon mustard cream sauce, which you can whip up while the chicken bakes. Serve the chicken with buttered peas, French green beans, or creamy mashed potatoes for a meal that’s cozy yet elegant—perfect for a festive holiday meal or special dinner any night of the week.
Table of Contents
Mastering Chicken Cordon Bleu involves a few key techniques that make all the difference. First, wrapping the cheese in “ham packets” is a clever way to keep it contained within the chicken as it bakes, ensuring each bite is as gooey and delicious as the last. Second, chilling the rolled chicken breasts in the fridge before cooking is another important step; it helps them hold their shape and ensures the filling stays put. Finally, a three-step breading method—coating first with flour, then with beaten eggs, and finishing with breadcrumbs—is crucial for achieving that perfect, crispy exterior.
“This recipe is outstanding! The sauce is absolutely delicious, a big hit with the entire family!”
What You’ll Need To Make Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Pounded thin to wrap around the ham and cheese for a tender, juicy bundle.
- Black Forest Ham: Provides a layer of savory, smoky flavor when wrapped inside the chicken breasts.
- Shredded Gruyère, Emmenthal, or Swiss cheese: Melts inside the chicken, adding a rich, creamy texture and a complex nutty flavor.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: Used to coat the chicken, offering a crispy, golden crust when baked.
- Butter: Mixed with the panko for a richer, more flavorful crust, and it is also used for sautéing shallots for the sauce.
- Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese: Infuses the panko with a nutty, savory flavor and enriches the sauce.
- All-Purpose Flour: Acts as the first coating in the breading process for crispiness and serves as a thickener for the sauce, ensuring it has the right consistency.
- Eggs: Help to bind the flour and panko to the chicken.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy depth to the breading and is also used to flavor the sauce.
- Shallots: Provide a subtle, slightly sweet flavor foundation for the sauce..
- Chicken Stock: Forms the base of the sauce, adding deep, savory flavor.
- Heavy Cream: Gives the sauce its creamy texture and rich flavor.
- Thyme: Adds a light, woodsy note to the sauce.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
For the Chicken
Slice and pound the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally to form flat fillets. Place a fillet in a resealable freezer bag and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound it to an even thickness between ⅛ and ¼ inch. Remove the pounded cutlet and set it aside. Repeat with the remaining three chicken pieces.
Prepare the chicken for filling: Lay each chicken breast vertically, smooth side down, on a 12×16-inch piece of plastic wrap that is positioned horizontally (looking down at the plastic wrap, it should be wider than tall). Evenly season the rough sides (facing up) with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper (you’ll use about ⅛ teaspoon salt and pepper for each piece of chicken).
Create the ham and cheese packets: Place ¼ cup shredded Gruyère in the center of each ham slice.
Fold the ham over the cheese, starting with the sides and then the top and bottom. This encases the cheese within the ham, forming neat packets. Place the packets seam-side down to keep them closed.
Assemble and roll: Place these ham and cheese packets atop the seasoned chicken breasts, towards the end closest to you.
Begin rolling the chicken away from you, enclosing the ham and cheese packet tightly. Once rolled, wrap the chicken tightly in the plastic wrap. Squeeze gently to seal and twist both ends to form a log-like shape. Repeat with the remaining pieces. Refrigerate the chicken for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day.
Preheat the oven to 375°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Bread the chicken: Set out three large shallow bowls. Place the flour in the first bowl. Beat the eggs and mustard in the second bowl. In the third bowl, mix the panko, butter, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Set up a breading station in this order: flour, egg/mustard mixture, panko mixture.
Remove the plastic wrap from the chicken cordon bleu rolls. Gently dredge each roll in the flour, coating evenly all around.
Dip in the egg/mustard mixture.
Dredge in the panko mixture, turning and patting to adhere.
Place the breaded chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 25 minutes, until lightly golden and cooked through. Allow the chicken to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving with the sauce.
For the Sauce
While the chicken bakes, make the sauce: In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute.
Add the chicken stock, stirring to combine, and then bring to a boil. Add the heavy cream, salt, pepper, mustard, and Parmigiano Reggiano.
Simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes. Add the thyme, then taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Before serving, if you wish to slice it into pinwheels, use a serrated knife with a gentle sawing motion, as the breading can be delicate. Serve the chicken with the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can prepare the chicken by rolling it with the filling up to a day in advance. If adding breading, do so no more than 3 hours before cooking. Once breaded, store the chicken uncovered in the refrigerator and then bake as directed.
The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). However, using a meat thermometer for this dish can be unreliable because the thermometer might measure the temperature of the hot, melted cheese filling instead of the chicken, which can lead to an inaccurately high reading. If you’re using a thermometer, ensure it’s inserted into the thickest part of the chicken breast, avoiding the filling, to get a more accurate measurement. Alternatively, you can judge doneness by following the recipe’s recommended cooking time, about 25 minutes. Look for visual cues such as a lightly golden crust on the chicken and cheese that starts to ooze out slightly.
No, thin-cut chicken breasts are not suitable for Chicken Cordon Bleu because they are too small to effectively roll into bundles with the ham and cheese filling. For this recipe, it’s best to use regular-sized chicken breasts that can be sliced in half horizontally and pounded to an even thickness. This ensures there’s enough surface area to contain the filling and allows for secure rolling and sealing of the chicken, so the filling stays enclosed during cooking.
Video Tutorial
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Chicken Cordon Bleu
Master the classic chicken cordon bleu: juicy chicken, savory ham, and melty Gruyère cheese, all bundled up in a crispy golden crust.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1½ pounds)
- ¾ teaspoon salt, divided
- ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 4 thin slices black forest ham
- 1 cup (4 oz) shredded Gruyère, Emmenthal, or Swiss cheese
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ¼ cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
For the Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons minced shallots, from 1 to 2 shallots
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups chicken stock (or broth)
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- 1 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried)
Instructions
For the Chicken
- Slice and Pound the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally to form flat fillets. Place a fillet in a resealable freezer bag and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound it to an even thickness between ⅛ and ¼ inch. Remove the pounded cutlet and set it aside. Repeat with the remaining three chicken pieces.
- Prepare the Chicken for Filling: Lay each chicken breast vertically, smooth side down, on a 12x16-inch piece of plastic wrap that is positioned horizontally (looking down at the plastic wrap, it should be wider than tall). Evenly season the rough sides (facing up) with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper (you'll use about ⅛ teaspoon salt and pepper for each piece of chicken).
- Create the Ham and Cheese Packets: Place ¼ cup shredded Gruyère in the center of each ham slice. Fold the ham over the cheese, starting with the sides and then the top and bottom. This encases the cheese within the ham, forming neat packets. Place the packets seam-side down to keep them closed.
- Assemble and Roll: Place these ham and cheese packets atop the seasoned chicken breasts, towards the end closest to you. Begin rolling the chicken away from you, enclosing the ham and cheese packet tightly. As you roll, tuck in the chicken's sides. Once rolled, wrap the chicken tightly in the plastic wrap, squeezing gently to seal and twisting both ends to form a log-like shape. Repeat with the remaining pieces. Refrigerate the chicken for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Bread the Chicken: Set out three large shallow bowls. Place the flour in the first bowl. Beat the eggs and mustard in the second bowl. In the third bowl, mix the panko, butter, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Set up a breading station in this order: flour, egg/mustard mixture, panko mixture.
- Remove the plastic wrap from the chicken cordon bleu rolls. Gently dredge each roll in the flour, coating evenly all around; dip in the egg/mustard mixture; then dredge in the panko mixture, turning and patting to adhere. Place the breaded chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 25 minutes, until lightly golden and cooked through. Allow the chicken to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving with the sauce. If you wish to slice it into pinwheels, use a serrated knife with a gentle sawing motion, as the breading can be delicate.
For the Sauce
- While the chicken bakes, make the sauce. In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute. Add the chicken stock, stirring to combine, and then bring to a boil. Add the heavy cream, salt, pepper, mustard, and Parmigiano Reggiano and simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes. Add the thyme, then taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Make-Ahead Instructions: Prepare the chicken by rolling it with the filling up to a day in advance. If adding breading, do so no more than 3 hours before cooking. Once breaded, store the chicken uncovered in the refrigerator and then bake as directed.
Pair with
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (4 servings)
- Calories: 821
- Fat: 47 g
- Saturated fat: 25 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 64 g
- Sodium: 1001 mg
- Cholesterol: 337 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Made just as indicated. Excellent. the idea of wrapping them tightly in cling film is brilliant.
This is a fantastic recipe! I have made this recipe many times over the years but this was the first time that I nailed it. The secret is in the clear wrap. Wow!
I have been a follower of yours for many years now (over 10) and I love how you cook. My first job after my paper route was in a restaurant and I have been cooking ever since. I just celebrated my 80th Birthday last month.
May I post a photo of your creation that my wife and I had for dinner on our 44th wedding anniversary?
Hi Jim, So glad you enjoyed it and you can definitely post a photo on social media (or if you’re not on social media, you can always send it directly to me at jennifer@onceuponachef.com)—I’d love to see it! Happy 80th birthday and 44th anniversary! 😊
I have never had success with Chicken Cordon Bleu. The cheese always oozed out of the chicken roll. Your method of wrapping the cheese in the ham is a great technique. It was so easy to pull the wrapped chicken rolls out of the refrigerator and prepare them for the oven. I’m planning on using this recipe on Christmas Eve for a small dinner party. Just a side note, I always know your recipes are tested and tested until perfect. Thanks, Jen.
This is by far… The best Chicken Cordon Bleu I have ever made! And I have been cooking over 50 years!
I cooked this tonight to rave reviews from my family. I am on a dairy and gluten free diet but the cheeses in this recipe do not contain lactose. I used Bob’s Red Barn 1 to 1 gluten free flour, gluten free panko crumbs and Earth’s Own oat milk as well as dairy free butter. I had regular size chicken breasts but would definitely use large ones next time.
This is a recipe to have on hand for the holidays!
I’m making this tonight! I always have such an issue cutting breasts in half as one side is always thicker and the other has been butchered. Next time, can I buy the breasts that have already been thinned?
Hi Anjli, Unfortunately, the pre-sliced cutlets are too small for this recipe. Sorry! You can even out the breasts when you pound them.
Did a trial run for the holidays tonight and my family raved! I can’t wait to make this again. It was actually pretty easy and I love that it’s baked not fried!
This recipe is outstanding! The sauce is absolutely delicious, a big hit with the entire family!
Can the sauce be made ahead, refrigerated and then reheated when ready to serve?
Hi Mary, Yes, definitely — enjoy!
What would be the best way to reheat the sauce? I’m also thinking of making it ahead of time. Thanks!
Hi Ashley, You can definitely make it ahead and reheat in a skillet on the stovetop. You may need to add a bit more cream if it seems too thick.
Hi Jenn,
When rolling the chicken around the ham bundle, do you also fold in the sides of the chicken?
Thanks, Kay
Hi Kay, If you can, yes, but it’s not always easy to do so. Rolling the chicken bundles in plastic wrap in a tootsie-roll shape is effective when it comes to sealing the edges. And because of cheese is enclosed within the ham, it’s not that critical that the edges be completely sealed. Hope that clarifies!