Name: Chicken Cordon Bleu
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts ((4 small to medium sized chicken breasts)); 4 slices ham; 4 slices provolone cheese; 2 large eggs; 1/4 cup milk; 1 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs; 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs; 3 tablespoons butter; 1/4 cup flour; 1 3/4 cups heavy cream; 1/4 cup Dijon mustard; 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Thin chicken breasts, sliced ham, and provolone cheese are rolled together, covered in panko bread crumbs and baked until golden brown in thisChicken Cordon Bleurecipe. Finished with a creamy mustard based sauce for some tang, this recipe is full of rich, decadent flavors in every bite.

end view sliced chicken cordon bleu roll browned to a golden crunchy smothered in sauce on a plate

Chicken cordon bleu is a classic dish that I could not live without! I love the warm and inviting nature of this dish, and the wide variety of flavors that it holds. With each bite you get a delicious mix of sweetness, tanginess, and savoriness.

One of our favorite things about this dish is how easy it is to put together. This dish sounds and looks gourmet, but it only requires a little bit of prep work and cooks in less than 40 minutes.

top view of a sliced chicken cordon bleu roll browned to a golden crunchy smothered in sauce on a plate

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Looks complicated, but is easy to make.
Packed with a variety of mouth-watering flavors.
Warm, comforting, and gourmet!

Recipe Ingredients

portion dishes with labels for raw ingredients for chicken cordon bleu rolls

Ingredients for the chicken:

Chicken Breasts—Boneless and skinless.
Sliced Ham—You’ll need thin pieces of ham. Any deli meat will work.
Provolone Cheese—You can also use swiss cheese.
Eggs—To help the bread crumbs stick and create a nice coating.
Milk—You can use whole, skim, or 2% milk.
Bread Crumbs—A mixture of panko and Italian seasoned bread crumbs.

portion dishes with labels for raw ingredients for chicken cordon bleu sauce

Ingredients for the sauce:

Butter—Bothsalted and unsalted butter will work.
Flour—Acts as the thickener of your sauce..
Heavy Cream—Serves as the base of the sauce.
Dijon Mustard—Add a creamy tang to your sauce.
Parmesan Cheese—Freshly grated will work best.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu

portioned raw ingredients for chicken cordon bleu recipe

Step #1.Preheat the oven. Use a meat tenderizer to pound each piece of chicken into a thin sheet.

Step #2.Place a slice of ham and cheese on each piece of chicken and tightly roll up each chicken breast. Use toothpicks to hold each piece of chicken together.

breaded chicken cordon bleu being browned and lightly fried in a cast iron pan

chicken cordon bleu roll browned to a golden crunchy in a cast iron pan

Step #3.Whisk the eggs and milk together in a small bowl. Combine the breadcrumbs in a separate bowl. Dip each piece of chicken in the egg mixture and then the breadcrumbs. Melt some butter in a cast iron pan and then add the chicken.

Step #4.Cook until the chicken is lightly browned on both sides. Cook until the chicken is lightly browned on both sides.

Step #5.Melt the butter for your sauce in a small pan. Once the butter is melted, stir in the flour to create a slurry and then add your remaining ingredients.

Step #6.Whisk the mixture constantly until thickened. Once the chicken is done cooking, top it with your sauce. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

What is chicken cordon bleu?

Chicken cordon bleu is a popular French dish that is made with thin pieces of chicken breasts layered with ham and provolone cheese, then rolled up, dipped in bread crumbs, and baked. After it’s baked, it is smothered in a creamy and tangy sauce. The phrase ‘cordon bleu’ is translated from French and means ‘blue ribbon’, equating to a dish that is prepared with excellence and held to a high standard. But don’t worry, you don’t have to be a professional to make this taste amazing!

Why do I need to pound the chicken before using it?

There are a few reasons to pound the chicken before cooking. First, it will break down some of the fibers in the chicken, helping it to cook faster and be more tender after it cooks. It is also crucial in ensuring you can roll up your chicken after layering on the ham and cheese.

How do I know if the chicken is fully cooked?

The most accurate way to know if your chicken is fully cooked is by using a meat thermometer and inserting it at the thickest part of the meat. Chicken is considered done at 165°F. If you do not have a meat thermometer, you can cut into the thickest part of the chicken and it should be firm, white, and any juice should be clear.

Expert Tips

Searing your chicken before baking it helps to ensure the chicken cooks all the way throughand will give the outside a beautiful golden brown color!
If you don’t have a meat tenderizer,you can use a pot to pound the meat or a rolling pin to roll it out and make it thinner. These methods won’t work as well but will still get the job done!
You cansubstitute the Dijon mustard with stone ground mustardif you prefer that or have it on hand!
To make cleanup easier,place your chicken in a Ziploc bag or between two large sheets of parchment paper before pounding it. This will keep your space and chicken more sanitary as well!

chicken cordon bleu roll browned to a golden crunchy

How to Serve and Store Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken cordon bleu is quite rich and heavy, so we like to serve it with some light or simple side dishes. Some of our favorite sides includebroccoli,air fryer green beans,rice made in the Instant Pot, or a garden salad.

If you have any leftover chicken cordon bleu, be sure that the sauce and chicken are stored in separate containers so the chicken does not get soggy. They can both be stored for up to 4 days in the fridge. When reheating, place the chicken in the microwave for about 1 ½ minutes or until warm. The sauce can be reheated in a small pan over medium heat, until it starts to bubble. Pour the sauce on top of the chicken and enjoy!