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Chicken Cordon Bleu

Tender chicken breasts wrapped around savory ham and Swiss cheese, breaded and baked until golden and crispy for a classic French-inspired dinner that's easier than it looks.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: French, French-inspired
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless chicken breasts pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
  • 4 slices deli ham quality ham recommended
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese Gruyere can substitute
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs plain or Italian-seasoned
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 2 tbsp butter melted
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard optional
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish
  • 1 cup cream for optional sauce
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard for optional sauce
  • 1 pinch salt for optional sauce

Equipment

  • Meat mallet or rolling pin
  • baking sheet
  • Three shallow dishes for breading
  • Toothpicks or kitchen twine
  • Meat thermometer

Method
 

  1. Place each chicken breast between plastic wrap or parchment. Use a meat mallet to pound to even 1/4-inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Lay each flattened breast on a clean surface. Place one slice of ham on each, followed by one slice of cheese. Keep fillings centered with 1/2-inch border around edges.
  3. Starting from the shorter end, roll each breast tightly around the filling. Secure with toothpicks or tie with kitchen twine at 1-inch intervals.
  4. Set up breading station with three shallow dishes: flour in first, beaten eggs in second, breadcrumbs in third. Dredge each roll in flour, coating completely and shaking off excess.
  5. Dip floured roll into beaten eggs, turning to coat all sides. Let excess drip off, then roll in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to create even coating. Ensure complete coverage.
  6. Place breaded rolls on greased baking sheet with space between them. Brush each roll generously with melted butter.
  7. Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until coating is golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cheese should be melted inside.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes before removing toothpicks or twine. This allows juices to redistribute.
  9. For optional Dijon cream sauce: Whisk together cream, Dijon mustard, and pinch of salt in small saucepan over low heat. Warm gently, stirring constantly, until smooth and heated through. Don't boil.
  10. Slice each roll into 1-inch rounds to show spiral of ham and cheese. Arrange on plates, drizzle with optional sauce, and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Preparation: Pound chicken evenly to 1/4-inch for best rolling and cooking. Chill assembled rolls for 30 minutes before breading for easier handling. Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days. Reheat in 350°F oven 15-20 minutes on wire rack. Freezing: Freeze unbaked breaded rolls up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding 10-15 minutes. Make-ahead: Assemble rolls morning of or day before, refrigerate, and bake when ready. Pan-frying option: Pan-fry in oil until golden all sides, then finish in oven 15-20 minutes. Variations: Use Gruyere, mozzarella, or provolone cheese. Try prosciutto or Black Forest ham. Add dried herbs to breadcrumbs. Spread Dijon on chicken before filling. Serving: Pairs with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, rice pilaf, green salad, or steamed broccoli.