Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu

Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu is an easy, yet elegant recipe for a special dinner. Tender and lightly seasoned chicken breasts rolled up in ham and oozing Swiss cheese baked in a golden brown crust. It’s so good. Your family or guests will think you’ve slaved in the kitchen all day.
(Post modified on 2/13/23.)
I ate my first Chicken Cordon Bleu my junior year in high school on a college visitation trip to Baker University in Baldwin, KS. All of the attendees were served a fancy dinner that certainly impressed my mom and me at the time.
Like then, a lot of Chicken Cordon Bleu recipes are fried, but here is an easy way to make this dish with a baked on coating that is just as delicious, if not more healthy.
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Ingredients to Make Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu
(See the full recipe at the bottom of this post.)
- boneless skinless chicken breast halves
- block of Swiss cheese
- thickly sliced deli ham
- large egg
- water
- plain bread crumbs
- dried parsley
- seasoned salt
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions for Making This Recipe
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.
Prepare the Ingredients
Slice the block of Swiss cheese into 6 thick slices.
If the chicken breasts are thick, you may need to butterfly them by splitting the chicken in half horizontally and then pressing open. This will allow the breast to be flattened even more for the next step.
I will often buy frozen chicken breasts or tenders in 2.5 or 3 pound bulk packages. These chicken pieces are often mixed sizes and shapes. For this recipe, I suggest buying freshly cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts found in the meat department.
Using the flat portion of a meat tenderizing mallet, flatten chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thickness.
This part can get messy. If desired, place the chicken in a gallon freezer bag before pounding with the mallet.
Assemble the Chicken
Line the inside of each chicken with 2 thick slices of deli ham. Place a slice of Swiss cheese to within 1/4 inch of edge. Starting at one long edge, roll the chicken and ham to enclose the cheese.
Secure it with a toothpick or two and place on a baking sheet lined with tinfoil that has been covered with baking spray or a silicone baking mat. Place chicken at least 3 inches apart.
Prepare the Crunchy Coating
Prepare egg wash in a small bowl by whisking together 1 large egg and a tablespoon of water. In a second bowl mix together the plain breadcrumbs, dried parsley, seasoned salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
Using a pastry brush, coat the chicken rolls with egg wash, then generously sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the tops and sides of each piece.
Spritz with a baking spray before placing in the oven.
If you want to make this dish even easier, simply brush each piece of rolled chicken with extra-virgin olive oil. Sprinkle with dried parsley, seasoned salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
Baking the Chicken
Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until juices run clear.
Chicken should cook to at least a 165 degree internal temperature.
Serve with seasoned rice and a green vegetable, such as Asparagus with Mushroom Cream Sauce. This recipe will serve 6 people.
Wine Suggestion: Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay.
See more Main Dishes Here. View Chicken Recipes Here.
Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 ea. boneless skinless chicken breast halves
- 8 oz Swiss cheese 6 thick slices
- 12 pieces thickly sliced deli ham
Egg Wash and Crunchy Coating:
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 cup plain bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.
Prepare the Ingredients
- Slice the Swiss cheese into six equal pieces.
- If the chicken breasts are thick, you may need to butterfly them by splitting the chicken in half horizontally and then pressing open. This will allow the breast to be flattened even more for the next step.
- Using the flat portion of a meat tenderizing mallet, flatten chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thickness. This part can get messy. If desired, place the chicken in a gallon freezer bag before pounding with the mallet.
Assemble the Chicken
- Line the inside of each chicken with 2 thick slices of deli ham. Place a slice of Swiss cheese to within 1/4 inch of edge.
- Starting at one long edge, roll the chicken and ham to enclose the cheese. Secure it with a toothpick or two and place on a baking sheet lined with tinfoil that has been covered with baking spray or a silicone baking mat. Place chicken at least 3 inches apart.
Egg Wash and Crunchy Coating
- Prepare egg wash in a small bowl by whisking together 1 egg and a tablespoon of water. In a second bowl mix together plain breadcrumbs, dried parsley, seasoned salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Using a pastry brush, coat each piece of chicken with egg wash. Then generously sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the tops and sides of each piece.
- Generously spritz the chicken with cooking spray before baking.
Bake the Chicken
- Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until juices run clear. Chicken should cook to at least a 165 degree internal temperature.
- Serve with seasoned rice and a green vegetable. Makes 6 servings.
Notes
Nutrition