Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe: Crispy, Cheesy, and Family-Approved

Learn how to make Chicken Cordon Bleu at home with simple step-by-step instructions and kitchen-tested tips.

Chicken Cordon Bleu is a classic dish that brings together juicy chicken, savory ham, and creamy Swiss cheese—all wrapped up in a crisp, golden breadcrumb coating. Born out of European tradition and made famous by French chefs, this delicious recipe’s stood the test of time for good reason. Every bite offers a bit of nostalgia with its oozy cheese center and layers of comfort.

The flavor is downright irresistible: salty ham, mild nutty cheese, and tender chicken all in one bite. It’s no wonder Chicken Cordon Bleu is a star at family tables and dinner parties. Below, you’ll find tips that make this meal even easier, a step-by-step guide, and a printable recipe card to keep handy for every craving.

🧾 Ingredients

📌 Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with quantities and step-by-step instructions!

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Deli ham
• Baby Swiss cheese
• Sea salt and black pepper
• All-purpose flour
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Eggs
• Water
• Panko bread crumbs
• Parmesan cheese, grated
• Chicken broth
• Fat Free Greek yogurt
• Fat Free Half and Half
• Dijon mustard
• Unsalted butter, lite

🔪 How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu

Adjust the top oven rack to the middle and set your oven to 350ºF. Grab a large baking sheet, line it with parchment paper or a Silpat™ mat, and set it aside for later.

Lay each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap. Flatten them to about ¼ inch thick using a meat mallet or a rolling pin. Next comes the tasty part—layer two slices of deli ham and two slices of Swiss cheese on each piece of chicken.

Starting from one end, roll up each chicken breast tightly, almost like you’re making a jelly roll. Hold the rolls together with toothpicks so they don’t unravel. Sprinkle on salt and black pepper, then set them aside.

Now, time to set up a little assembly line:

• In a shallow bowl, mix the flour, ½ tablespoon of Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Add a bit of salt and pepper to taste. Give it a quick stir.
• In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs with the water.
• In a third bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and the rest of the Italian seasoning. Add a pinch of salt and pepper if you want.

Coat each chicken roll first in the flour mixture until it’s fully dusted, then dip it in the egg wash, making sure it’s covered, and finally, roll it in the breadcrumb mixture so it gets a nice, even crust.

Place the finished chicken rolls on your lined baking sheet. Pop them in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The goal is for the chicken to hit just under 165°F inside—a meat thermometer is super handy for this. The heat will keep climbing for a bit after you take them out, so don’t worry if you’re a couple degrees shy.

Make the Sauce

While the chicken cooks, let’s whip up a creamy sauce. In a bowl, stir together chicken broth, Greek yogurt, heavy cream, and Dijon mustard. Set this aside for now.

In a small skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Gradually add the flour, whisking the whole time until you have a smooth blend with no lumps.

Slowly pour in the yogurt mixture, and season with salt and pepper. Keep whisking for a few minutes until the sauce thickens and is warmed through. Take it off the heat and keep it warm until serving time.

Once the chicken comes out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes. Remove the toothpicks, slice into rounds, and drizzle with the buttery sauce. Serve right away with your favorite sides, and let everyone dig in. This dish is simple, a little fancy, and a whole lot of fun for dinner!

📖  Variations

Cheese Swap Ideas

Swiss is classic, but try:

• Gruyère for rich flavor
• Mozzarella for a great cheese pull
• Provolone or Fontina for creamy sweetness
• Pepper Jack for a little heat
  Mix and match to find your favorite combo!

Meat Swaps

Try these instead of ham:

• Turkey ham or chicken ham for a lighter option
• Prosciutto for a gourmet touch
• Smoked turkey for added depth

Gluten-Free & Lighter Options

• Use GF breadcrumbs or almond flour
• Skip breading for a low-carb version—pan-sear and bake

Fun Fillings

Get creative with:

• Spinach + feta
• Roasted red pepper + goat cheese
• Broccoli + cheddar

Serving Styles

• Bite-sized rolls for apps
• Casserole-style for easy family meals

Flavor Boosters

• Add Dijon mustard under the ham
• Use seasoned salt or spices in the breading
• Try paprika or Italian seasoning for extra flavor

How Many Weight Watchers Points in Chicken Cordon Bleu?

This recipe comes in at 5 points per serving. While this might still seem like a lot, a traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu with creamy butter sauce comes in at 16 points per serving.

More Delicious Recipes To Try

Chicken Cordon Bleu with Creamy Butter Sauce

Learn how to make Chicken Cordon Bleu at home with simple step-by-step instructions and kitchen-tested tips. Discover its flavorful origins and grab a handy printable recipe card.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine French

Servings 8

Ingredients

  

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 8 slices deli ham
• 8 slices reduced fat baby Swiss cheese
• Sea salt and black pepper to taste
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning divided
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• ⅛ cup Parmesan cheese grated

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1½ cup chicken broth
• ¼ cup Fat free Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup fat free half and half
• 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 3 TBSP unsalted lite butter cut into pieces
• ⅛ cup all-purpose flour
• Sea salt and black pepper to taste
• ⅛ cup Parmesan cheese grated

Instructions

 

• Place top oven rack in the center position and pre-heat oven to 350ºF. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat™ baking mat. Set aside.
• Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin until ¼” thick. Top each chicken breast with 2 slices of deli ham and 2 slices of Swiss cheese.
• Tightly jelly roll each chicken breast and secure with toothpicks. Season with salt and black pepper, as desired, and set aside.
• Add the flour, ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning, and garlic powder to a shallow bowl. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and stir to combine. Set aside.
• Add the eggs and water to a second bowl. Whisk to combine and set aside.
• Add the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and remaining Italian seasoning to a third bowl. Lightly season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired, and stir to combine. Set aside.
• Dredge each chicken breast in the seasoned flour until covered on all sides. Then dip the floured breasts into the egg wash and roll until coated. Finally, roll the egg-covered breasts in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture until thoroughly coated.
• Transfer each breast to the prepared baking sheet and place in the pre-heated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of just below 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. (The temperature will continue rising several degrees while the chicken rests).
• When the chicken is almost ready to come out of the oven, combine the chicken broth, Greek yogurt, heavy cream, and Dijon mustard in a medium bowl. Stir to combine and set aside.
• Add the butter to a small skillet set over medium heat. Stir occasionally until melted. Slowly whisk the flour in a little at a time until completely blended into the butter without any lumps remaining.
• Stir in the yogurt mixture and season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Cook for several minutes, whisking continually, until the sauce thickens and is heated through. Remove from heat and keep warm.
• Remove chicken from oven and let cool for several minutes before slicing. Serve immediately topped with the butter sauce and your choice of sides. Enjoy!

Notes

5 points

Keyword chicken cordon bleu