Savory Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe: A French Classic

Culinary magic happens when classic chicken cordon bleu meets unexpected comfort.

Tender poultry embraces rich flavors from Swiss cheese and savory ham.

Crispy golden breading provides delightful texture that makes each bite memorable.

Professional chefs and home cooks appreciate this elegant dish that seems complicated but requires simple techniques.

Layers of melted cheese create irresistible pockets of deliciousness inside perfectly seasoned chicken.

Weeknight dinners transform into special occasions with this impressive yet approachable recipe.

Reasons to Love Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu

• Simplify Gourmet Cooking: Transform a classic restaurant-style dish into an achievable home-cooked meal that looks and tastes impressive without requiring professional chef skills.
• Customize Flavor Layers: Build delicious depth by seasoning chicken with multiple spices, adding Swiss cheese and ham, then finishing with a creamy Dijon sauce that elevates the entire dining experience.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Create a crowd-favorite recipe that appeals to both adults and kids, offering a perfect balance of crispy exterior and gooey, melted cheese interior that guarantees satisfied smiles around the dinner table.
• Versatile Meal Option: Prepare a dish suitable for various occasions like weeknight dinners, weekend gatherings, or special celebrations, with straightforward steps that make cooking enjoyable and stress-free.

What’s Inside Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken Breasts: Lean white meat perfect for stuffing and rolling.
• Swiss Cheese: Mild, smooth cheese that melts beautifully.
• Ham: Thin slices of flavorful deli meat.

• Flour: Fine white powder for initial coating.
• Eggs: Beaten liquid for binding breading.
• Bread Crumbs: Crispy golden coating for exterior.

• Butter: Rich base for creamy sauce.
• Milk: Smooth liquid for sauce consistency.
• Dijon Mustard: Tangy condiment for flavor depth.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings for enhancing taste.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Dried spices for depth of flavor.
• Garlic: Fresh aromatic for sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp cheese to enrich sauce.

Cooking Instructions for Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu

Step 1: Season Your Chicken

Generously coat chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Ensure every inch of the meat gets an even seasoning.

Step 2: Flatten the Chicken

Place chicken breast between plastic wrap and pound until thin and even.

Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to create a uniform thickness that will help perfect your roll.

Step 3: Layer Cheese and Ham

• Swiss cheese slices
• Ham slices
• Another layer of Swiss cheese
• Another layer of ham

Step 4: Roll and Secure

Carefully roll the chicken, encasing the cheese and ham.

Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, twisting sides to create a compact cylinder.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes to help maintain shape.

Step 5: Prepare Breading Station

• Flour
• Beaten eggs
• Bread crumbs

Step 6: Bread the Chicken

Coat each chicken roll by dipping sequentially into flour, then eggs, then bread crumbs.

Ensure complete and even coverage.

Step 7: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat oil to 325°F in a deep pan.

Fry chicken rolls for approximately 5 minutes per side until achieving a beautiful golden-brown exterior.

Step 8: Finish Cooking

If chicken hasn’t reached 165°F internally, transfer to oven at 325°F to complete cooking.

Step 9: Create Dijon Sauce

• Melting butter
• Cooking garlic
• Adding flour
• Whisking in milk
• Incorporating mustard
• Blending Parmesan cheese
• Seasoning with salt and pepper

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Slice chicken rolls and drizzle with warm Dijon sauce.

Serve immediately for maximum deliciousness.

Pro Tips for Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu

• Use plastic wrap to prevent chicken from sticking and ensure even thickness for consistent cooking.
• Refrigerate chicken rolls for 30 minutes to help them maintain shape during breading and frying, preventing filling from spilling out.
• Monitor oil heat at 325°F and use a meat thermometer to check chicken's internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe, juicy results.
• Dredge chicken in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs in that order for a crispy, golden-brown exterior that seals in moisture.
• Whisk sauce ingredients continuously to prevent lumps and achieve a silky, creamy Dijon sauce that complements the chicken perfectly.

Storing and Reheating Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu

• Store leftover chicken cordon bleu in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Let the chicken cool completely before sealing to prevent condensation.
• Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen chicken cordon bleu stays fresh for 2-3 months.
• Preheat to 350°F, place chicken on a baking sheet, and cover with foil. Warm for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F to maintain crispy coating.
• Heat in 30-second intervals, checking to prevent drying out. Add a splash of chicken broth to keep meat moist and prevent rubbery texture.

Side Ideas for Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or pinot grigio to complement the rich, creamy flavors of the chicken cordon bleu, cutting through the heaviness with bright, refreshing notes.
• Create Fresh Green Salad Side: Toss mixed greens with a light vinaigrette and toasted almonds to provide a crisp, tangy contrast to the decadent chicken dish, balancing the meal's richness.
• Serve Roasted Asparagus: Prepare tender asparagus spears with olive oil, garlic, and lemon zest to add a vibrant vegetable element that enhances the dish's elegant profile and provides a nutritious accompaniment.
• Match with Crusty Bread: Slice a warm French baguette or rustic sourdough to soak up the delicious Dijon sauce, offering a perfect textural counterpoint to the crispy chicken exterior.

Ways to Switch Up Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu

• Low-Carb Keto Version: Replace bread crumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond flour for a crispy coating that keeps carbohydrates minimal and maintains a delicious crunch.
• Gluten-Free Alternative: Swap wheat flour with rice flour or gluten-free cornmeal for breading, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy the classic chicken cordon bleu.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use dairy-free cheese alternatives like cashew or coconut-based cheese slices and substitute milk with unsweetened almond milk for the sauce, creating a lighter yet equally creamy experience.
• Vegetarian Option: Replace chicken with portobello mushrooms or thick slices of eggplant, maintaining the rolling technique and using plant-based ham or smoked tofu as a protein substitute.

FAQs

• Why do I need to pound the chicken breast?

Pounding the chicken breast helps create an even thickness, ensuring uniform cooking and a tender texture throughout the meat.

• Can I use different types of cheese?

While Swiss cheese is traditional, you can experiment with provolone or Gruyère for similar melting properties and complementary flavors.

• What does dredging the chicken do?

Dredging in flour, egg, and bread crumbs creates a crispy, golden-brown exterior that seals in moisture and adds a delightful crunch to the chicken.

• How do I know if the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C), which ensures the chicken is safe to eat and remains juicy.

Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Culinary magic happens when classic French-inspired “Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu” meets comfort food perfection. Rich ham, melted Swiss cheese, and golden-crusted chicken create a delightful dinner that draws you into a world of pure deliciousness.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 16 slices Swiss cheese
• 12 lb (0.5 lb or 226 g) ham, thinly sliced

Seasoning and Spices:

• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder

Coating and Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups (100 g) panko bread crumbs
• Peanut oil or vegetable oil, for frying
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (480 mL) milk
• 1/4 cup (60 g) Dijon mustard
• 1 cup (100 g) shredded Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Infuse chicken breasts with a blend of seasonings, ensuring an even coating that penetrates the meat’s surface.
2. Position each chicken breast between plastic wrap sheets and gently flatten to an even, uniform thickness using a meat tenderizer or heavy kitchen tool.
3. Create a luxurious filling by layering Swiss cheese and ham slices across the flattened chicken, maintaining a balanced distribution of ingredients.
4. Carefully roll the chicken, encasing the cheese and ham within, then securely wrap in plastic wrap, twisting the ends to create a compact cylinder. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to help the roll maintain its shape.
5. Heat oil in a deep pan to the optimal temperature, preparing for a crisp exterior cooking technique.
6. Set up a breading station with three separate vessels: seasoned flour, whisked eggs, and breadcrumbs for a multi-layered coating.
7. Methodically coat each chicken roll by first dredging in flour, then dipping in egg, and finally rolling in breadcrumbs to create a golden, crunchy exterior.
8. Carefully lower the breaded rolls into hot oil, frying until they achieve a rich, amber color. If the internal temperature hasn’t reached 165°F, transfer to the oven to complete cooking without burning the exterior.
9. Craft a velvety Dijon sauce by building a roux with butter and flour, gradually incorporating milk and whisking until smooth. Enhance with mustard, Parmesan, and seasoning for a rich, complex flavor profile.
10. Present the chicken by slicing and generously drizzling with the prepared Dijon sauce, allowing the creamy accompaniment to complement the crisp exterior.

Notes

• Tenderize chicken evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent thick, uneven sections that might remain raw.
• Chill rolls before breading to help the coating stick better and create a crispier exterior when frying.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal chicken temperature, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked meat without overcooking.
• Adjust breading technique for gluten-free diets by substituting regular flour and breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 670
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 890 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 41 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg