How to Make Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
If you’re craving comfort food that feels both indulgent and elegant, look no further than this Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe. It combines tender, juicy chicken with layers of savory ham, melted cheese, and a luscious creamy sauce that pulls the whole dish together beautifully. This dish is straightforward to prepare yet packed with flavor, making it perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a special occasion. From the crispy golden crust to the rich and creamy interior, every bite promises something delightful for your taste buds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Elegance: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a sophisticated meal that looks restaurant-worthy.
- Rich and Creamy: The creamy sauce complements the savory ham and cheese, providing a luscious texture that melts in your mouth.
- Quick Prep: Ready in under 40 minutes, it fits perfectly into busy weeknights without sacrificing flavor.
- Family Favorite: With familiar flavors, it’s a surefire way to please kids and adults alike.
- Customizable: Easily adjusted to suit dietary preferences or ingredient availability.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe lies in its simple yet essential ingredients, each chosen to enhance flavor, texture, and color. These components work in harmony to create a rich, cheesy, and golden dish that’s as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the palate.
- Chicken breasts: Skinless and boneless, these provide a tender and juicy base for the dish.
- Ham slices: Adds a smoky, savory layer that pairs perfectly with the cheese.
- Swiss cheese: Known for its mild nutty flavor and meltability, it’s the perfect cheesy partner.
- All-purpose flour: Used to dredge the chicken, helping create a crispy outer coating.
- Eggs: Binds the flour and breadcrumbs to the chicken for a golden crust.
- Bread crumbs: Give the dish a satisfying crispy exterior when baked or fried.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps brown the chicken evenly.
- Heavy cream: Creates the silky, luscious sauce that takes this dish to the next level.
- Garlic and Dijon mustard: Enhance the sauce’s depth with subtle spice and tanginess.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing all flavors.
Variations for Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
This recipe is incredibly flexible, making it a fun canvas for your culinary creativity. Whether you want to tweak it to better suit your dietary needs or simply switch up the flavors, here are some easy variations to try.
- Gluten-free version: Swap regular bread crumbs for gluten-free ones to keep it safe without losing crispiness.
- Cheese alternatives: Try cheddar, mozzarella, or Gruyere for different but equally delicious twists.
- Herb infusion: Add fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley to the cream sauce for an aromatic upgrade.
- Turkey ham: Use in place of traditional ham for a leaner, lighter variation.
- Spicy kick: Include a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika in the breading for a subtle heat.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness around ½ inch to ensure even cooking and make rolling easier. Season both sides with salt and pepper for a simple flavor base.
Step 2: Layer Ham and Cheese
Place a slice of ham and a slice of Swiss cheese on each flattened chicken breast. Carefully roll the chicken up, tucking in the sides as you go to enclose the fillings securely.
Step 3: Bread the Rolls
Set up a breading station with flour, beaten eggs, and bread crumbs. Dredge each chicken roll in flour first, then dip in egg, and finally coat with bread crumbs to ensure a crispy crust after cooking.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken Rolls
In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add the chicken rolls. Brown them on all sides until golden, about 3-4 minutes per side, then transfer to a baking dish.
Step 5: Prepare the Cream Sauce
In the same pan, add minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant. Stir in Dijon mustard and heavy cream. Let it simmer gently until slightly thickened, then season with salt and pepper.
Step 6: Bake and Serve
Pour the creamy sauce over the chicken rolls in the baking dish. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the sauce is bubbly and creamy.
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
- Even thickness: Pounding the chicken uniformly helps it cook evenly and prevents the ham and cheese from leaking out.
- Secure the roll: Use toothpicks if needed to keep the chicken rolls tightly closed during cooking.
- Don’t skip browning: Searing the chicken rolls first locks in flavor and gives a beautiful color.
- Toast bread crumbs: Lightly toast bread crumbs before breading for extra crunch.
- Rest before slicing: Allow the chicken to rest a few minutes after baking to keep juices locked in.
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
Garnishes
Top your chicken with fresh chopped parsley or chives for a pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous note that cuts through the richness.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, buttery mashed potatoes, or a crisp green salad to balance the creaminess.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice chicken rolls into medallions and arrange them on a platter drizzled with extra sauce, making an impressive appetizer or shared plate for guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place cooled chicken rolls and sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days to keep flavors fresh.
Freezing
Wrap individual chicken rolls with sauce in freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
Reheating
Warm leftovers gently in the oven at 325°F (160°C) until heated through to maintain the creamy sauce without overcooking the chicken.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used, but they may require a slightly longer cooking time and yield a juicier, more flavorful result.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute cheese with dairy-free alternatives and use coconut cream or cashew cream instead of heavy cream to keep it creamy and delicious.
How do I ensure the filling stays inside?
Make sure to roll the chicken tightly and secure edges with toothpicks; chilling the rolled chicken before breading also helps the filling stay put.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the chicken rolls and keep them refrigerated before cooking, or prepare fully cooked leftovers to reheat later.
What can I substitute for Swiss cheese?
Gruyere, mozzarella, or even a mild cheddar work well as substitutes, offering different flavor profiles while still melting nicely.
Final Thoughts
Give this Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe a try soon—you’ll be amazed at how such simple ingredients come together to create something truly special. It’s a heartwarming dish that combines creamy sauce, savory ham, and melty cheese in every bite. Whether for a family dinner or entertaining friends, this recipe is sure to become a beloved favorite in your kitchen.
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PrintCreamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
This Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe combines tender, juicy chicken breasts with savory ham, melted Swiss cheese, and a luscious creamy garlic-Dijon sauce. Featuring a crispy golden crust and a rich, flavorful interior, this dish is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or special occasion. Ready in under 40 minutes, it balances elegance and comfort while being customizable to suit various dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and Pan-Searing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free breadcrumbs substitution)
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 4 ham slices
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
Breading
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup bread crumbs
For Cooking & Sauce
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about ½ inch to ensure even cooking and ease of rolling. Season both sides of each breast with salt and pepper.
- Layer Ham and Cheese: Place a slice of ham and a slice of Swiss cheese on each flattened chicken breast. Roll up the chicken carefully, tucking in the sides to enclose the fillings securely.
- Bread the Rolls: Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes: one with all-purpose flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with bread crumbs. Dredge each chicken roll first in flour, then in the egg, and finally coat with bread crumbs, ensuring an even, crispy coating.
- Cook the Chicken Rolls: In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add the chicken rolls. Brown them on all sides for about 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden. Then, transfer the browned rolls to a baking dish.
- Prepare the Cream Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic briefly until fragrant. Stir in Dijon mustard and heavy cream, allowing the sauce to simmer gently until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bake and Serve: Pour the creamy sauce evenly over the chicken rolls in the baking dish. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is bubbly and creamy.
Notes
- Pound chicken breasts to even thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent filling leakage.
- Secure the rolls with toothpicks if needed to keep fillings inside while cooking.
- Do not skip browning the chicken rolls first; it locks in flavor and adds beautiful color.
- For extra crunch, lightly toast bread crumbs before breading.
- Let the chicken rest a few minutes after baking to retain juices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg
Keywords: Chicken Cordon Bleu, creamy chicken, baked chicken, comfort food, creamy sauce, ham and cheese chicken