Chicken Cordon Bleu

5 from 8 votes
11 Comments

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This Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe uses a skillet to cook the chicken, not the oven. The chicken stays tender and juicy, never dry, and always full of flavor!

Plate of Chicken Cordon Bleu covered with sauce and a side of asparagus.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients in this Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
  2. Tips for Perfect Cordon Bleu
  3. Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken Cordon Bleu
  4. Chicken Cordon Bleu Sauce
  5. What to Serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu
  6. How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu
  7. Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe

Chicken Cordon Bleu is one of those dishes that looks and tastes fancy but is really simple to prepare! It’s so easy, you can serve it up any old night of the week, or for a special occasion. The traditional dish is baked, but this one is made right on the stove top in a skillet. The warm slice of ham and Swiss cheese melts beautifully as it’s wrapped up in tender chicken breasts. It’s never dry and always cooks up perfectly. Serve with our delicious, creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Sauce and prepare to die of happiness!

Ingredients in this Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe

This fancy, beautiful dish is made with simple, easy to find ingredients, which makes it all the more fun to make. Here’s all you need:

  • boneless skinless chicken breasts – You’ll use a meat mallet to pound the chicken to a quarter to half inch thickness. I like to place each breast in between sheets of parchment paper so they don’t stick.
  • Swiss cheese – I like to buy it in the block and make chunks about 3 to 4-inch length and about the same thickness as string cheese.
  • Black forest ham – About four slices of ham for each chicken serving. You can substitute prosciutto too.
  • Panko bread crumbs – Start with about a cup and a half, and add more if needed.
  • Parmesan cheese – half a cup, which you’ll mix in with the breadcrumbs.
  • Paprika – one tablespoon
  • Butter – use a half cup of melted butter for the breadcrumb mixture and another quarter cup for frying over medium heat.
  • Chicken broth – one and a half cups
  • Heavy whipping cream – one cup, for the delicious creamy sauce.
  • salt pepper, and paprika – to taste
Ingredients for Chicken Cordon Bleu including chicken, Swiss cheese, Black Forest ham, chicken broth, cream, paprika, parmesan cheese, panko and butter.


Tips for Perfect Cordon Bleu

  • Make sure the chicken breasts are nice and thin. You can buy them thinly sliced or pound them with a mallet or rolling pin until they’re about half an inch thick.
  • No need for egg or flour for the chicken breading. The breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese and butter will give your chicken a delicious, golden crust.
  • I like to use a block of Swiss cheese and slice chunks about three quarters of an inch wide, and about as long as a string cheese. When you cut into the chicken the cheese stays inside.
  • Don’t skimp on the paprika; it adds a bright, smoky flavor to the dish.
  • Add a squirt or two of Dijon mustard to the sauce to make a delicious Dijon cream sauce.
Cutting board with ham and Swiss cheese for Chicken Cordon Bleu.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken Cordon Bleu

Can I make this recipe in the instant pot?

If you own an Instant Pot, you will want to check out our recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu. It’s a quick and easy way to prepare and it tastes delicious, but this stovetop version has more crisp.

How do I store leftovers?

Place any leftover chicken cordon bleu in an airtight container and store in the fridge. Reheat by popping the chicken in the microwave until warmed through.

Can I just bake this chicken cordon bleu recipe in the oven?

Please take my word for it and make this recipe in a skillet on the stove! If you bake your chicken in the oven on a baking sheet, it can dry out. But by cooking them in a skillet, you will lock all that moisture in the chicken and achieve a golden crust too.

Four golden Chicken Cordon Bleu on a plate.

READ MORE: 35+ Best Chicken Breast Recipes

Chicken Cordon Bleu Sauce

When preparing your Chicken Cordon Bleu, don’t forget our Chicken Cordon Bleu Sauce. The creamy, flavorful sauce complements the chicken beautifully. It is easy to prepare, and can be prepared ahead and reheated when you are ready to serve.

Gravy boat with Chicken Cordon Bleu Sauce next to a plate of Chicken Cordon Bleu.

What to Serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu

The chicken cordon bleu is an elegant dish on it’s own and doesn’t require a complicated side dish, yet it is versatile enough to make your dinner plate as simple or as fancy as you like. A simple side of rice with broccoli, asparagus, or a green salad is perfect for this recipe.

Chicken Cordon Bleu cut in half covered with sauce.

Try one of these simple side dishes to create an upscale dining experience at home.

How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken Cordon Bleu cut in half on a plate with roasted asparagus.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

5 from 8 votes
This Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe uses a skillet to cook the chicken, not the oven. The chicken stays tender and juicy, never dry, and always full of flavor!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine French
Servings 4

Video

Equipment

  • Skillet

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Pound chicken breasts as thin as possible without breaking up the chicken, about 1/2" thick.
    Chicken breast flattened next to a metal mallet on a cutting board for Instant Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu.
  • Roll up the cheese in the ham, similar to how you would roll up a burrito. Fold in the ends over the cheese, then roll it up. This will keep the cheese from melting out of the center.
    Cutting board with ham and Swiss cheese for Chicken Cordon Bleu.
  • Now roll up the ham and cheese in the chicken. Keep it all together using toothpicks.
    Chicken breast with rolled up ham and Swiss cheese next to two rolled up chicken breasts with toothpicks.
  • Place the melted butter in a shallow bowl or dish. In a separate shallow dish, mix the Panko, Parmesan cheese and paprika. Dip each chicken in the butter, then roll in the bread crumb mixture.
    Bowl of melted butter and a bowl of panko mixture with a chicken breast for Chicken Cordon Bleu.
  • Heat the remaining ¼ cup butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook each chicken until browned on all sides.
    Frying pan with four Chicken Cordon Bleus.
  • Place on a plate until remaining chicken is browned.
    Four golden Chicken Cordon Bleu on a plate.
  • When all the chicken is browned, add a little more butter (or cooking spray) to the bottom of the pan to keep chicken from sticking. Place ALL the chicken back in the skillet. Sprinkle paprika, to taste, over the chicken, then add chicken broth to the pan (don't pour the broth over the chicken, try to pour it directly into the bottom of the pan). Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.
    Chicken broth pouring into a cast iron skillet with Chicken Cordon Bleu.
  • Transfer the chicken cordon bleus to a warm platter and remove toothpicks. The broth it was sitting in should have reduced and thickened a little during cooking. Add salt, pepper, and paprika to taste.
    Dripping from cooking Chicken Cordon Bleu in a skillet.
  • Whisk in heavy cream.
    Whisk stirring cream with drippings for Chicken Cordon Bleu sauce.
  • Cook, stirring until thickened.
    Frying pan of Chicken Cordon Bleu Sauce.
  • Pour sauce over the chicken. Serve and enjoy!
    Single Chicken Cordon Bleu next to asparagus on a plate.

Notes

  • Make sure the chicken breasts are nice and thin. You can buy them thinly sliced or pound them with a mallet or rolling pin until they’re about half an inch thick.
  • I like to use a block of Swiss cheese and slice chunks about three quarters of an inch wide, and about as long as a string cheese. When you cut into the chicken the cheese stays inside.
  • Don’t skimp on the paprika; it adds a bright, smoky flavor to the dish.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 881kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 44gFat: 70gSaturated Fat: 42gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 272mgSodium: 1435mgPotassium: 688mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 3075IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 403mgIron: 2mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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5 from 8 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I’ve always loved this but it was my first time making it. It was delicious! Better than what you would get at a restaraunt!

  2. 5 stars
    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing chicken cordon bleus recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

  3. 5 stars
    We really like favfamilyrecipes, they have the best recipes my family really enjoys and loves to make together . The Chicken Cordon Blue is just one of our favorites from hundreds of other delicious meal ideas

  4. 5 stars
    Your tips were really handy for this recipe. I might try them with blue cheese too though it may turn out runnier than the Swiss cheese.

  5. I made this and it is SUPER YUMMY! I only had enough swiss for half, so I subbed in fresh mozzerlla and even a cheese stick and they were still really good.

  6. This sounds so delicious, but I'm not a fan of swiss…I wonder if I could sub a different cheese?!

    Visiting from Ucreate food!

    Love and Hugs, Jess

  7. This sounds so delicious, but I'm not a fan of swiss…I wonder if I could sub a different cheese?!

    Visiting from Ucreate food!

    Love and Hugs, Jess