I love taking an old favorite and turning it into something that is a little healthier for my family. It’s good for us, and it’s a fun challenge too. How long it takes: 10 minutes to prep, 30 minutes in the oven Equipment you’ll need: sharp knife, baking pan, instant read thermometer Servings: 6 And you know what? I think I like this healthy oven baked version of chicken cordon bleu even better than the classic fried version. Although, in all fairness, my memories of chicken cordon bleu revolve around a nasty, frozen chunk of precooked meat which was reheated in the oven. I think it was from some sort of school fundraiser, so my mom probably felt compelled to buy that lovely chicken cordon bleu. Perhaps my memories of chicken cordon bleu are jaded, but I’ll still opt for this healthier version any day of the week. And you know what? It’s far easier to bake chicken cordon bleu than to fry it. Easy is good, right?
About This Recipe
Not only does my version of chicken cordon bleu taste great but it really is quite simple to prepare. There’s a little bit of prep work involved but the end product looks like you spent a ton of time on it. Traditional chicken cordon bleu is rolled but we made it easier by just folding it. So easy! Here’s how it goes: Butterfly a chicken breast, stuff the goodies inside (I use deli-style ham and pre-sliced Swiss cheese), stick some panko breadcrumbs on top with a little mustard, bake the whole business in the oven, and viola! Done. So simple! And, if you line the baking pan with parchment paper, clean up is really easy, too!
What You’ll Need
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: The recipe is written for 3 chicken breasts, which are cut into halves after baking to make six servings. The size of boneless skinless chicken breasts can vary quite a bit. Look for somewhat evenly sized chicken breasts, about one and a half to two pounds total. Ham: Thinly sliced ham works best. I use a good quality deli ham. Swiss Cheese: Presliced cheese makes the job easier but if you prefer, buy a block of cheese and slice your own. Grated cheese has a tendency to fall out. Panko Bread Crumbs: The chicken is breaded with crispy panko. Panko is much coarser and airier than normal bread crumbs so it makes a crispier coating. Did you know that it’s easy to make homemade bread crumbs? It’s a great way to use up day old bread. Olive Oil: A couple of teaspoons of olive oil are added to the bread crumbs, along with a bit of Garlic Powder and Black Pepper. The oil promotes browning so the chicken breasts are golden brown. Dijon Mustard: Mustard is an essential part of chicken cordon bleu. In this recipe, the mustard is lightly smeared on the outside of the chicken breasts. It adds flavor, keeps the chicken moist, and helps the panko adhere.
How To Make This Recipe
Begin this recipe by preheating the oven and preparing a baking pan. For easy cleanup, either lightly spray the bottom of the pan with nonstick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix the panko, seasonings, and a couple teaspoons of olive oil. Set it aside for now. Next, we’ll butterfly the chicken breasts. Aren’t you glad you bought boneless breasts? This job would be pretty difficult with a bone in the way. A very sharp knife helps get the job done so look for the sharpest knife in the drawer. Place the chicken breast on a flat surface. Carefully make a horizontal cut. Stop short before cutting all the way through. You should be able to open the chicken up while still keeping it in one piece. It will look like an open book or a butterfly with its wings spread. Use a mallet to lightly pound the chicken so it’s about a quarter inch thick. The idea is to even out the thickness of the chicken pieces. It’s easier to fill that way and it will cook more evenly. To minimize mess, place a layer of plastic wrap on top of the chicken before you pound it. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on both sides of the chicken (top and bottom). Arrange the ham evenly on the open sides, dividing it evenly between the 3 chicken breasts. Arrange the cheese on top of the ham. Carefully fold the breast halves together, forming a sandwich of sorts. Tuck in any stray edges of ham or cheese as well as you can. Place the stuffed chicken on the prepared baking pan. There should be enough room so that sides of the chicken aren’t touching each other. Smear a half teaspoon or so of mustard on top of each breast. Top them with the panko mixture, patting it lightly so that it adheres. Bake the chicken for about a half hour or until it’s done. Measure the internal temperature with an instant read thermometer. Aim for the thickest part of the chicken. It should be 165°F. Let the chicken rest for five minutes or so before slicing each piece into half. Look at that cheese running out and getting slightly browned on the pan. Mmmm, that’s my favorite part! Serve chicken cordon bleu with green beans almondine and Instant Pot mashed potatoes for a scrumptious dinner. Since the oven is on already, a pan of roasted broccoli or roasted sugar snap peas would be convenient and lovely. Looking for a “fancy” dessert to serve with your chicken cordon bleu? Try this no-bake chocolate tart. It’s easy to make and looks gorgeous.
Make it your own
Instead of ham, try Canadian bacon. Replace the Dijon mustard with a coarse grainy mustard. Try chicken cordon bleu kabobs with Swiss cheese dipping sauce for a fun twist. Or, make the sauce on the kabobs recipe to serve with your chicken cordon bleu. Looking for a gluten-free recipe? There are a couple of options: use gluten-free panko for the breading or make your own version of chicken cordon bleu with no breading. Stuff the chicken as instructed, season the outside of the chicken with salt and pepper and lightly spray with olive oil spray. Bake as directed. I haven’t tried baking chicken cordon bleu in my air fryer yet. I’m sure it can be done and as soon as I have a chance to test it, I’ll add the instructions to the recipe card.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Chicken cordon bleu is best served immediately. If you have leftovers, they can be refrigerated for up to three days. To reheat single portions, microwave until heated through. Unfortunately, the breading will most likely be somewhat soft. You can also reheat the chicken in a toaster oven or an air fryer. Be careful not to overheat the chicken because it tends to get dry.
Stuffed Chicken Recipes
Like the idea of fancifying plain chicken breasts? Boneless skinless chicken breasts just cry out for stuffing. Here’s more ideas for you:
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast stuffed with avocado and cheddar Apple Gouda Stuffed Chicken Breasts with smoky roasted sweet potatoes Hasselback Chicken with spinach and artichoke Feta Stuffed Chicken with sun dried tomatoes and kale Fajita Stuffed Chicken
Interested in a weekly meal plan (it’s free!) that includes this recipe? Take a look at my Meal Plan (#5). You’ll find a wholesome recipe for each weekday plus a categorized grocery list. Let me do the planning for you this week! We’ll be adding a new meal plan weekly. If you’re interested, browse all of our meal plans.
