Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu

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.

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?

Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu

Not difficult to make. 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.

A few easy steps. Here’s how it goes: Butterfly a chicken breast, stuff the goodies inside (I use deli-style ham and pre-sliced Swiss cheese to make it easier), stick some panko breadcrumbs on top with a little mustard, bake the whole business in the oven, and viola! Done. And, if you line the baking pan with parchment paper, clean up is really easy, too!

Ingredient Notes

• 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. Canadian bacon can be substituted.
• 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. A coarse, grainy mustard could be substituted but wouldn’t be as close to classic cordon bleu.

How To Make Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu

Preheat the oven. 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.

Make breading. In a small bowl, mix the panko, seasonings, and a couple teaspoons of olive oil. Set it aside for now.

Butterfly the chicken breasts. 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. A very sharp knife helps get the job done so look for the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Flatten chicken. 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.

Arrange the filling. 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.

Fold and put into pan. 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.

Add breading. 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. 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.

Serving suggestions. 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.

Easy Recipe Variations

• Make it gluten-free. 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.
• Make kabobs with a sauce. Try chicken cordon bleu kabobs with Swiss cheese dipping sauce for a fun twist. You could also make the sauce in the kabobs recipe to serve with your chicken cordon bleu.
• Air fryer method. 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

Refrigerate: Chicken cordon bleu is best served immediately. If you have leftovers, they can be refrigerated for up to three days.

Reheat: 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.