How To Store Leftovers
You want to store the leftovers in an airtight container. Wait until it has cooled completely and then store it in the refrigerator. The chicken casserole will last for about 5 days.
The chicken cordon bleu casserole can also be stored in the freezer. Once the food has cooled, move it to an airtight container or freezer bag and press it flat. Write the name and date on the bag and place it in the freezer. It will last for up to 3 months.
To thaw, move the bag or container to the refrigerator.
Stuff The Chicken Breasts
If you’ve made chicken cordon bleu before, you know that you need to stuff the breasts with goodies. Remove the plastic wrap from the chicken and add a slice of ham and then a slice of cheese to the center of the breasts.
Then, place two sage leaves on top of the cheese. Fold one half of the chicken breast over the other, so the chicken basically serves as the “sandwich bread” with the filling in the middle. Be sure to press down lightly to secure it.
“The secret ingredient in this is the fresh sage leaves that are hidden inside the chicken. Adding the earthy herbal flavor of sage really increases how fancy the dish tastes. It would be fine without it, but it really becomes special with the sage addition,” Bryant explains. “Sage also pairs nicely with the cheese and enhances the flavor of the Emmental.”
Ingredients In This Dish:
- CHICKEN Rotisserie chicken is used in this dish but any leftover chicken will do.
- HAM I like to use diced ham from a ham steak or leftover ham.
- SWISS CHEESE Swiss is the traditional cheese in Chicken Cordon Bleu and has a sharp taste. If you prefer another cheese you can use mozzarella, provolone, or cheddar.
- DIJON MUSTARD A little milder than yellow mustard and gives it that distinct taste.
- LEMON JUICE Brightens the flavor and gives it a little zing.
- PANKO BREAD CRUMBS Panko breadcrumbs are a Japanese bread crumb made from white bread. They can be found by the regular breadcrumbs at the grocery store. Regular bread crumbs can be substituted.
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What Tools Will I Need To Make This Recipe
We all love the ease and simplicity of a recipe card, with the clean separation between what ingredients youll need, and what youll need to do. Sometimes though, that isnt quite enough.
Theres nothing worse than going out and buying all the ingredients for a recipe to them come home and realize you dont have all the baking tools the recipe requires.
I have definitely felt that pain before, so to make sure you really have everything you need, be sure to check out this list of just a few simple kitchen tools youll want to have on hand.
- Meat thermometer
To find the full ingredient list and directions, scroll to the bottom for the printable recipe card.
Whats In Chicken Cordon Bleu Bake
Note: This is just a partial list of ingredients. For the full ingredient list, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Chicken breasts Use boneless, skinless breasts since they will need to be pounded into thin pieces for easier rolling. Veal or pork can also be used instead.
- Ham slices Lean meat will have less fat, which means its less likely to be greasy or slide out of the chicken.
- Cheese I like to use fontina or Swiss, but Gouda and Gruyere are great options as well.
- White pepper While the overall flavor isnt as spicy as black pepper, the main purpose for using this variety is so the flecks dont show in the sauce. If you dont have white pepper, feel free to use ground black pepper.
- Panko breadcrumbs Even though the chicken isnt fried, these still add a nice crunch to the dish. They do contain some carbs, so if youre concerned about going over your limit, use crushed pork rinds or almond meal instead.
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Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
Whos ready for a top tier dinner idea the whole family will love?!
If you said yes to the question above, then stop what youre doing right now, and grab what you need to make this crazy delicious chicken cordon bleu!
Not only will this easy chicken recipe make everyone come running for dinner, but it will also leave them wanting seconds or even thirds.
Everything about the recipe is drool-worthy. From the rich ham rolled inside a juicy chicken breast, with an amazing swiss cheese middle, there is no going wrong!
While I love all parts of chicken cordon bleu, Ill have to say, the dijon cream sauce is what really makes this classic into a weeknight dinner you wont want to pass up on.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Your family will love digging into this hearty casserole that’s loaded with tender chunks of chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese. The creamy sauce brings it all together for a dish that’s truly comfort food at its finest. Your taste buds will thank you.
This easy casserole is one of our favorite casseroles! Its easy to make, and it always gets rave reviews from family and friends. We know youll love this casserole as much as we do. Its perfect for busy weeknights when you need something quick and easy, but it also tastes great enough for special occasions. Give it a try you wont be disappointed!
If you like this, then make sure you check out our simple chicken and ham casserole with similar, but different flavors.
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Why I Love Cordon Bleu
This oven baked chicken cordon bleu gave both myself and Ben the nostalgic feels, except that it tastes a thousand times better than the frozen stuff we had growing up.
- The chicken is juicy, the ham savory, the cheese melty and satisfying, and the golden, crisp breadcrumb exterior adds the exclamation point.
- In other words, it tastes amazing.
The Best Ways To Serve Chicken Cordon Blue
With a dish as versatile as an easy chicken cordon bleu recipe, there are plenty of ways to serve it.
One way is to serve it up alongside a few side dishes like Siriacha Honey Roasted Broccoli, Avocado Caprese Salad, and the Best Twice Baked Potatoes, for a casual weeknight dinner.
Another one of my favorite ways to serve this is as a fun and sophisticated appetizer at a dinner party.
To make this into a quick appetizer, just prep the chicken as normal, and before serving, cut each breast into small slices.
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What Sides Go With Chicken Cordon Bleu
Chicken Cordon bleu has rich and bold flavors so I like to make it the start of the meal and make veggies for the side dish. There are lots of veggies that will pair well and we have lots of veggie side dish recipes that you can easily make here on the blog. Check out some of our favorite easy side dishes to pair with baked chicken cordon blue.
Baking Vs Frying Chicken Cordon Bleu:
How you end up cooking your chicken cordon bleu is all up to your own personal taste preferences. Frying just makes everything better. We love that added crispiness and taste to fried food. However, sometimes we want something lighter and prefer to bake it. Try it both ways and see which you like best!
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What To Serve With Chicken Cordon Bleu
Cordon bleu is a rich meal with bold flavors so a light and fresh side makes the perfect complement. I would suggest a steamed or roasted vegetable like broccoli or roasted asparagus. Add in a tossed or Caesar Salad and a side of garlic butter rice for the perfect meal!
This baked chicken cordon bleu recipe can feed as few as four or double the recipe and have a fancy dinner party for 8! Leftovers can be made into a delicious sandwich can be made on a crusty baguette with some spicy mustard and a few leaves of crispy lettuce! Hearty and flavorful!
Classic Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
If you are looking for a fun way to spice up your average chicken breast, look no further than this classic chicken cordon bleu. As the title suggests, this is an iconic dish that has been around for quite some time. According to , this first iteration of this recipe came about in the 1840s, and there’s a good chance that it came from another dish called veal kiev, which people in Paris served. The people of Moscow also served a similar dish, but instead of veal, they opted for chicken. If you’re still following along, veal cordon bleu came to the United States in the 1950s, and chicken cordon bleu came here in 1967.
Recipe developer Jennine Bryant came up with this tasty dish that could earn a spot on your monthly menu rotation. “I love how simple this recipe is to do, yet how impressive it seems to serve up for guests. It’s a great option for a simple dinner party meal or when friends or family come over,” Bryant shares. “You can make it up to the point where it is breaded and just needs cooking, and then pop it in the fridge until later on for a quick meal.”
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Thickening With Cornstarch Vs Flour:
Everyone has their personal favorite thickening agent. Some like to avoid the gluten in flour, or just dont like the taste of flour that sometimes is left behind when you dont cook it long enough. It really shouldnt make a huge difference which you use, but we found that we prefer cornstarch to thicken this sauce.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Vs Chicken Kiev
You might be familiar with a similar rolled chicken entrée called Chicken Kiev. The primary difference between Chicken Cordon Bleu and Chicken Kiev is the filling. Chicken Kiev is stuffed with chilled butter and herbs, while Chicken Cordon Bleu is stuffed with ham and cheese. Otherwise, the preparation and ingredients for these two recipes is almost identical.
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Make The Other Bowls For The Dredging Station And Coat The Chicken
You already have the flour mix ready to go, but there are still two more bowls you will need for dipping. Add the egg and whisk in gently with a fork in another wide, flat bowl. Then, you can toss the breadcrumbs in your third wide and flat bowl.
Line up your three dredging bowls and the stuffed chicken breasts. It’s easiest to do one breast at a time. First, dip it in the seasoning flour, followed by the egg mixture. Make sure to dip both sides well. Last but not least, dunk the breasts in the breadcrumbs, again covering the top and bottom of the chicken.
Repeat the same steps with your remaining chicken breast.
Can I Use Different Cheese In Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Using Swiss cheese is traditional because that is what is used for chicken cordon bleu. That is because of the flavor and it retains its shape and stays on the chicken. Since this is a casserole and the shape of the cheese doesnt matter, you can use whatever kind of melting cheese you like. Cheddar will pair well with the ham but it is a much stronger flavor than Swiss.
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How To Make Chicken Cordon Bleu
This easy chicken cordon bleu does take a few steps but none of them are hard! Heres a good tip: soak the toothpicks in water before securing the chicken so they dont burn in the oven and will slide easily out of the finished chicken roll. I always put 2 toothpicks per roll so I can account for all of them when I am serving.
Voila! A fancy restaurant meal that really is easy to make at home !
Chicken Cordon Bleu Bake Recipe
For this chicken cordon bleu casserole you will need chicken breasts , ham slices, shredded Swiss cheese, Ritz crackers, butter, grated Parmesan cheese, butter, and salt & pepper for seasoning.
Once the chicken is baking, you will need butter, flour, milk, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard for the sauce that is added as a topping when the dish is served.
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What To Serve With Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Salad. Salad is perfect to serve as a side dish for this casserole. We love making Olive Garden Salad, BLT Salad, and Strawberry Spinach Salad but any green salad will make a great side dish.
Vegetables. If you are not putting veggies into the casserole you can also serve vegetables like oven baked broccoli, roasted asparagus, Lemon Roasted Asparagus, oven roasted carrots, Roasted Cauliflower, and Roasted Brussel Sprouts are all great options.
Rice or pasta. There is not rice or pasta in this casserole so you can make is as a side dish. Some of our favorites are Garlic Butter Rice, Parmesan Rice and Oven Baked Rice. Buttered noodles is also a great side dish option!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat sauce on the stovetop and add milk to thin, as needed.
Can I freeze chicken cordon bleu?
Yes, chicken cordon bleu freezes well before baking. To do so, follow the recipe all the way through coating them in panko. Place the prepared chicken in an air-tight container, baking dish, or individually wrapped with plastic wrap and placed in a large ziptop bag. Cover well and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow the chicken breasts to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking. Make the cream sauce the day of serving.
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What Is Chicken Cordon Bleu
Cordon Bleu translates to blue ribbon and I can assure you this easy recipe is worthy of the title! A traditional cordon bleu has tender chicken wrapped around ham and swiss cheese but you can mix and match the parts to this recipe and be creative!
- HAM: Substitute ham for prosciutto in this recipe
- CHEESE: Swap out the Swiss for provolone or even cheddar cheese! Cheese slices provide a thicker cheese layer, shredded cheeses can melt into the chicken.
- BREADCRUMBS: This recipe uses seasoned breadcrumbs. You can substitute Panko or make your own seasoned crumbs by adding 1/4 teaspoon each garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon parsley and a pinch of oregano.
Mix The Flour Salt And Pepper Then Cut And Pound Chicken
For this step, you will need to take out a wide, flat bowl that you will eventually dip the chicken in. Add the flour first, followed by the salt and pepper. Since the salt and pepper are “to taste,” you can add as much or as little as you want based on your preferences. Use a whisk to combine the seasoning, and then set the bowl aside for the time being.
Next, cut each of the chicken breasts horizontally, most of the way through. Be sure to stop to leave a little bit of chicken to keep the breast intact rather than cutting the whole thing apart. Open each breast to make a heart shape and then cover them in plastic wrap. Use either a heavy rolling pin or a mallet to flatten the chicken to about inch thick.
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Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe
This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe combines all of the flavors of chicken cordon bleu into one easy-to-make dish. Chicken breasts are topped with ham and Swiss cheese, then baked in a creamy sauce. This casserole is perfect for a weeknight meal or entertaining guests. Serve with a side of green beans or roasted veggies for a complete meal.
How To Make Chicken Cordon Bleu:
Prep chicken breasts. Use a sharp knife to cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to create two chicken breast halves . Place between two sheets of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound them into thin, even pieces .
Top with ham and cheese.Top each pieces of chicken with a slice of ham and a ham handful of shredded cheese.
Roll each up tightly into a bundle, tucking the sides a little, and place on a small square of plastic wrap .
Wrap the chicken bundle up tightly in plastic wrap, pinching the excess plastic on the sides to create a tootsie-roll shape. Twist and swing the ends to create a firm chicken roll .
Refrigerate the wrapped chicken bundles for at least 30-minutes or up to one day in advance, or freeze for up to 3 months..
Add breading: Dip the chicken bundles in melted butter, and then into the cornflake crumbs , pressing lightly to help the crumbs stick to the chicken. Transfer to a lightly greased baking sheet.
Bake on the center oven rack for about 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through
Top with sauce. Make the sauce by stirring the mayo and mustard together. Taste and add more mustard, as needed, to taste.
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