In France and parts of Europe, you’ll find Chicken Cordon Bleu in brasseries, casual home dinners, and sometimes even on school menus. I turned this into a speedy home kitchen staple without cutting corners.
I personally enjoy this most with roasted potatoes or a warm slice of baguette. It stays speedy by sticking with smart prep – thin chicken, pre-sliced ham, and a shortcut sauce you don’t need to fuss over. I use the fry-then-bake combo here, which gives it a clean outer layer without overcooking the inside. The sauce also skips long simmering and uses just a few pantry-friendly ingredients.
What is Chicken Cordon Bleu?
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a rolled chicken breast filled with slices of ham and cheese, then coated in breadcrumbs and cooked until crisp. The name “cordon bleu” comes from a French term meaning “blue ribbon,” once used to signify dishes worthy of fine cooking standards.
This dish remains popular in France and Switzerland, but you’ll also find it in American diners, frozen food aisles, and quick-service restaurants worldwide. People everywhere enjoy it because it looks fancy, but it’s easy to pull off with just a few ingredients.
This dish doesn’t always have to be chicken. Some versions use pork or veal instead, though chicken remains the most common globally. And because I want to give you speedy recipes, let’s stick with chicken because that protein is the easiest to deal with. Plus most people really know it as the best protein for a cordon bleu. Now let’s see what exactly goes into it, get your cutting board ready.
Ingredients of Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Chicken breasts (16 ounces, divided into 3 equal pieces) – Thin, boneless breasts are ideal for rolling. Pounding them evenly helps them cook quickly and fold easily without tearing.
- Swiss cheese (6 slices) – This cheese melts well without oozing too much. It adds a mild, nutty flavor that holds up against the ham.
- Ham (3 slices) – Thinly sliced ham gives a salty layer that works well with Swiss cheese. I prefer cooked deli ham since it keeps the moisture low inside the roll.
- Panko bread crumbs (1 cup) – Panko gives a light, crispy surface. I recommend keeping it in a sealed container so it doesn’t get soggy before use.
- All-purpose flour (1/2 cup) – This coats the chicken and helps the egg cling better. You’ll need this first before dipping into the egg.
- Eggs (2) – Beat the eggs to create a binder between the flour and the breadcrumbs. This step locks in the structure before frying.
- Cooking oil (1 cup) – Enough to shallow fry each roll evenly. I usually heat it in a medium pan just until the breadcrumbs turn golden.
- Cream of chicken soup (10 ounces) – A shortcut base for the sauce. It adds a thick consistency without needing long simmer time.
- Sour cream (1/2 cup) – This tones down the saltiness of the soup and smooths the texture. Use full-fat for better taste.
- Water (1/4 cup) – Just enough to loosen the sauce. Don’t overdo it or it’ll turn runny.
- Fresh lemon juice (1 tablespoon) – This brightens the sauce with just the right sharpness. I always squeeze the lemon fresh to avoid bitterness.
How This Chicken Cordon Bleu Stands Out
Most versions of Chicken Cordon Bleu found online tend to use either only baking or frying. Some skip pounding the chicken, which leads to uneven cooking or thick rolls that don’t hold well. Others rely heavily on store-bought sauces or cheese blends that melt too quickly and leak out during cooking.
In contrast, this recipe keeps the structure tight. I pound the chicken to an even ¼ inch, then use both frying and baking to finish the cooking without drying out the inside. The sauce is also homemade in minutes using pantry staples, avoiding artificial flavors.
While many traditional recipes use Dijon mustard or complicated sauce reductions, I use a cleaner base – cream of chicken, sour cream, and fresh lemon. This cuts time and still tastes fresh, especially when served hot.
How to Cook Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Flatten and Prep the Chicken – Each chicken breast (16 ounces total) needs to be divided into 3 pieces. Place them one at a time in a clear plastic bag over a cutting board. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound from the center outward until the slices are about ¼ inch thick. This step helps the meat roll tightly without splitting during cooking.
- Assemble the Filling Layers – Lay the pounded chicken on a board or plate. Add 1 slice of ham and 2 slices of Swiss cheese to each piece. Carefully roll from one end to the other, then secure the rolled shape using toothpicks. Repeat with all the remaining chicken pieces.
- Prepare the Coating Stations – Crack and beat 2 eggs in a small bowl until slightly fluffy. Place ½ cup of flour in another bowl, and set aside 1 cup of Panko breadcrumbs in a resealable container. This gives you a simple dredge-coat-shake setup that moves quickly and keeps things organized.
- Coat the Chicken Rolls – Take one chicken roll at a time. Dredge in flour first, then dip into the beaten egg. Place it in the container with Panko and give it a good shake to coat evenly. Make sure the breadcrumbs stick all over, especially at the ends.
- Fry to Set the Crust – Heat 1 cup of cooking oil in a pot over medium heat. Fry each chicken roll for about 2 minutes per side. Keep the heat low to medium so the outside browns slowly without burning. This step seals in the layers and builds the crisp coating.
- Bake for Full Doneness – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the fried rolls on a foil-lined tray and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The goal is to cook through to the center while maintaining that crunchy outside. Remove the toothpicks before serving.
- Mix and Warm the Sauce – In a saucepan, combine 10 ounces of cream of chicken soup, ½ cup sour cream, and ¼ cup water. Stir over medium heat until smooth, then add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until warmed through, then turn off the heat and pour over the chicken.
What to Have with Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus – Tender asparagus in minutes adds color and freshness. It’s a light option that keeps the meal balanced, plus the smokiness of the bacon complements the richness of the chicken cordon bleu.
- Steamed Broccoli – Steaming broccoli brightens the plate and adds a cleansing taste, offering a tasteful veggie accent.
- Egg Fried Rice – Sometimes, people love partnering this kind of dish with rice. So instead of using plain white rice, try a flavorful rice recipe!
These sides give you a mix of soft, crisp, warm, and green. Chicken Cordon Bleu pairs especially well with green vegetables. Enjoy your Chicken Cordon Bleu meal. I hope this version and its accompaniments turn out just right!
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Ingredients
- 16 ounces chicken breasts divided into 3 equal pieces
- 6 slices Swiss cheese
- 3 slices ham
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 cups cooking oil
Sauce Ingredients:
- 10 oz. cream of chicken soup canned
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Arrange each chicken breast slices inside a transparent plastic bag. Place the bag over a chopping board and then pound the chicken breast from the center going outward until it is about 1/4 inch thick.16 ounces chicken breasts
- Remove the chicken from the bag and lay flat on a plate or chopping board. Top the sliced chicken with a piece or two of ham and Swiss cheese. Roll the chicken breast from one end to the other. Use toothpicks to secure the rolled chicken breast. Do this procedure on the other chicken breasts that you have.3 slices ham, 6 slices Swiss cheese
- Meanwhile, crack the eggs in a bowl and then beat until somewhat fluffy. Set aside.2 eggs
- Arrange the flour in a separate bowl. Set aside.1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Place the Pano bread crumbs in a resealable container such as a Ziploc bag or a plastic container with cover.1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- Dredge the chicken breasts in flour and then coat with egg. Put a piece on the container with breadcrumbs and shake until the chicken is fully coated with bread crumbs.1 cup Panko bread crumbs, 2 eggs, 10 oz. cream of chicken soup
- Heat the oil in a cooking pot. Once the oil gets hot, fry the chicken breasts in low to medium heat for 2 minutes per side.1 cups cooking oil
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Arrange the fried chicken cordon bleu breasts in a baking tray lined with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and arrange in a serving plate.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce by heating a saucepan and pouring-in the cream of chicken soup, stir and add the water and sour cream. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes.1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup water, 10 oz. cream of chicken soup
- Add the lemon juice. Stir and turn the heat off.1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Pour the sauce over the chicken cordon bleu. Serve.
Notes
- Keep the Chicken Thin and Even. Some skip pounding the chicken, but this makes the roll thick and hard to cook through. You’ll want a clean, flat surface so the meat rolls tight and stays firm. Thin chicken also means shorter cooking time. I recommend using a zip-top bag and a rolling pin for more control.
- Toothpicks Matter. It’s easy to forget, but you need to secure the rolls before frying. If you skip this, the cheese and ham can slide out while cooking. Use plain wooden toothpicks and count how many you insert so you know exactly how many to remove later.
- Fry on Medium Heat Only. High heat burns the Panko before the chicken cooks through. Stick with medium or slightly lower. You’ll get even browning and no burnt crumbs floating in the oil. Always let the oil preheat first for a steadier crust.
- Choose the Right Cheese. Swiss works best because it softens rather than melts quickly. Some use mozzarella or cheddar, but these tend to leak fast or overpower the other flavors. Keep slices thin and well-placed near the center of the roll.
- Sauce Adjustments are Welcome. If your sauce feels too thick, add a splash more water. If it feels too flat, increase the lemon juice just slightly. You can also warm it up before serving, especially if the chicken rests too long on the counter after baking.
what other cheese substitute if swiss cheese not available?
Mozzarella and Mild Cheddar cheeses are good alternatives to Swiss cheese.