Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipes

Chicken Cordon Bleu combines chicken, ham, and melted cheese into an easy family dinner. On this page you can make the classic rolled version or try a simpler Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole made with cooked chicken, pasta, ham, and cheese.

The classic recipe is also a good way for older kids and teens to practice flattening chicken, layering fillings, rolling, and checking poultry with a food thermometer.

Chicken Cordon Bleu recipes with ham and melted cheese

Two Ways to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu

Classic rolled chicken: Flatten chicken breasts, layer with ham and cheese, roll, and bake.
Easy casserole: Combine cooked chicken, ham, pasta, cheese, and creamy sauce in one baking dish.
Choose your cheese: Swiss cheese is traditional, but another mild melting cheese can be used.
Add creamy sauce or skip it: The classic version can be baked with cream-of-chicken sauce or topped with extra cheese instead.
Use a thermometer: Chicken should be cooked completely before serving rather than judged by color alone.

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Classic Chicken Cordon Bleu

This simple Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe layers ham and cheese inside flattened chicken breasts. The rolls can be baked with a creamy chicken sauce or topped with another slice of cheese for a simpler version.

Ingredients

6 boneless chicken breasts
6 slices Swiss cheese or another favorite sliced cheese
6 slices ham
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 Cup sour cream (1/2 pint)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350F.
Place each chicken breast between sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper and carefully pound it to an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
Place 1 slice of ham and 1 slice of cheese on each flattened chicken breast.
Roll each chicken breast around the ham and cheese.
Place the chicken rolls seam-side down in a casserole dish.
In a mixing bowl, stir together the cream of chicken soup and sour cream.
Spoon the creamy sauce over the chicken rolls.
Bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked. Check the thickest part of the chicken with a food thermometer; poultry should reach at least 165F.
Allow the chicken to rest briefly before serving.

No Cream Sauce Version: Leave off the cream-of-chicken and sour-cream sauce and top each chicken roll with an additional slice of cheese during the final part of baking.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Kids Cooking Party

How to Roll Chicken Cordon Bleu

Flattening the chicken evenly makes it easier to add the filling and roll the chicken without having very thick spots that cook at a different rate.

Flattening chicken breast for Chicken Cordon Bleu

1. Flatten the Chicken

Place the chicken between sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Gently pound from the thicker center toward the edges until the breast is an even thickness.

2. Add Ham and Cheese

Place a slice of ham and cheese over the flattened chicken, leaving a little space around the edges so the filling is easier to keep inside.

3. Roll the Chicken

Roll the chicken around the ham and cheese and place it seam-side down in the baking dish. If a roll will not stay closed, secure it with a toothpick and remember to remove the toothpick before serving.

Kid Cooking Safety

Pounding and rolling chicken can be a good skill for older kids and teens, but raw poultry needs careful handling. Keep raw chicken and its utensils away from ready-to-eat ingredients, wash hands and work surfaces after handling it, and have an adult supervise as needed.

Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu Variations

Change the Cheese

Swiss cheese
Provolone
Mozzarella
Cheddar
Monterey Jack

Change the Style

Use the creamy sauce from the classic recipe.
Skip the sauce and add extra melted cheese.
Make the casserole version with cooked chicken.
Add cooked broccoli to the casserole.
Add a breaded coating after rolling.
Use cooked rice instead of pasta in the casserole.

Homemade Cream Sauce Option

If you prefer not to use canned cream of chicken soup, try the homemade cream of chicken sauce from our Chicken Pot Pie page.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

This easy casserole uses the same chicken, ham, cheese, and creamy flavors as classic Chicken Cordon Bleu without flattening or rolling individual chicken breasts. It is also a good way to use leftover cooked chicken.

Ingredients

2-3 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 cups cubed ham
1-2 cups small pasta shells, cooked and drained
1 cup cubed cheddar cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2-1 cup sour cream
1/2-1 cup milk

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350F.
Cook the pasta shells according to package directions and drain.
Add the chopped cooked chicken, ham, cooked pasta, and cubed cheese to a casserole dish.
In a mixing bowl, stir together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and 1/2 cup milk.
Add additional milk if needed to reach the creamy consistency you prefer.
Pour the sauce over the chicken mixture and stir gently until the ingredients are evenly coated.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot throughout and the cheese is melted.

Leftover Chicken Shortcut: Use chopped leftover roast chicken to make this casserole quicker to assemble.

You'll Practice	Perfect Pairings
Mixing sauces, assembling casseroles, baking, using leftovers creatively	Roasted Vegetables, Perfect Asparagus, or buttered noodles.

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Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Video

Watch the video below for another look at preparing Chicken Cordon Bleu casserole.

Turn Chicken Cordon Bleu into a Kids Cooking Party

Chicken Cordon Bleu can also become a hands-on cooking activity. Kids can help flatten chicken with supervision, layer ham and cheese, roll the chicken, prepare side dishes, and set the table.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Cordon Bleu

What is Chicken Cordon Bleu?

Chicken Cordon Bleu is made by layering ham and cheese with chicken. In the classic version, the chicken is flattened, rolled around the filling, and baked.

What cheese is best for Chicken Cordon Bleu?

Swiss cheese is a classic choice, but other cheeses that melt well, such as provolone, mozzarella, cheddar, or Monterey Jack, can also be used.

How thin should I pound the chicken?

Pound the chicken until it is an even thickness so it rolls easily and cooks evenly. Avoid pounding so hard that the chicken tears.

How do I keep Chicken Cordon Bleu rolled up?

Place the rolls seam-side down in the baking dish. If needed, secure them with toothpicks and remove the toothpicks before serving.

How do I know when Chicken Cordon Bleu is done?

Use a food thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken. Poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165F.

Can I make Chicken Cordon Bleu without cream of chicken soup?

Yes. Leave off the creamy sauce and top the chicken with extra cheese, or use a homemade cream of chicken sauce instead.

Can I use leftover chicken for Chicken Cordon Bleu?

Leftover cooked chicken works especially well in the casserole version. The classic rolled recipe begins with raw chicken breasts.

Can kids help make Chicken Cordon Bleu?

Older kids and teens can help pound chicken, layer ham and cheese, prepare sauce, and assemble the rolls with close supervision. Younger kids can help measure sauce ingredients, prepare side dishes, and set the table.