Classic Chicken Cordon Bleu (Baked or Fried)

Chicken Cordon Bleu is a classic dinner that has been a family favorite for years. Whether you prefer to bake it or fry it, the combination of ooey-gooey cheese, savory ham, and crunchy breadcrumb coating makes it seriously delicious.

We are absolutely thrilled about this recipe. Chicken cordon bleu is the ultimate comfort food that brings back fond childhood memories. In the past, we often resorted to the boxed version, but now we’re all about creating made-from-scratch, restaurant-quality recipes that everyone can enjoy. Although it requires a bit more effort than the frozen microwave version, it is still super easy to make, and we’re confident that it will be well worth it.

Baking vs. Frying Chicken Cordon Bleu

The cooking method for your chicken cordon bleu is entirely up to your personal taste preferences. Frying adds an extra level of crispiness and flavor to the dish, which we absolutely love. However, if you prefer something lighter, baking is a great option. We recommend trying both methods to determine your favorite.

Cheese Substitutes

While we enjoy the classic Swiss cheese in this recipe, you can always substitute it with your favorite melty cheese if Swiss is not available or not to your liking. For a fun twist, try using mozzarella cheese.

Easy Chicken Pounding Hack

If you don’t have a mallet in your kitchen to pound the chicken thin, don’t worry! There’s a simple hack using a rolling pin. Just grab your rolling pin and use one end of it to gently pound the chicken to about 1/4″ thickness. It works like a charm!

Choosing the Right Ham

For this recipe, deli ham is perfect. We recommend going for high-quality deli ham found behind the counter at your local grocery store. It adds great flavor and texture to the dish.

Thickening with Cornstarch vs. Flour

When it comes to thickening the sauce, you can choose between cornstarch and flour based on your preference. Some prefer cornstarch to avoid gluten or to prevent the taste of uncooked flour. Both options work well, but we found that cornstarch gives the sauce a slightly better consistency in this recipe.

Reheating and Storage Instructions

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They can be kept for up to 5 days. When reheating, we recommend using the oven preheated to 350 degrees to retain the best flavor and moisture.

If you enjoyed this recipe, you may also be interested in trying our other delicious chicken dinner recipes. We have a cooking show hosted by Rachel where she walks you through every step. You can find the complete collection of recipes on our YouTube channel, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page. Alternatively, you can also find them here on our website along with their corresponding recipes.

We’re thrilled to see the positive feedback from our readers who have tried this recipe. One person mentioned that their family loved it so much that they want it again soon, even for guests. Another suggestion to keep the roll together is to use toothpicks. There’s also an option to brown the chicken on both sides and then add the ham and cheese on top, similar to a favorite spring Alice chicken recipe. It’s always exciting to hear about variations that people enjoy.

Let’s continue to make delicious meals together and create more beautiful memories around the dinner table!