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Sliced Chicken Cordon Bleu on a white plate, showcasing golden-brown breading, savory ham, and melted cheese, garnished with fresh parsley.
Reda

Classic Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu

Tender chicken breasts are wrapped around savory Black Forest ham and melted Swiss cheese, then coated in a crispy panko breading and baked to golden perfection. This elegant dinner is surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to impress.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, French
Calories: 675

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken & Filling
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 6-8 oz each, pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese good quality
  • 4 slices Black Forest ham or prosciutto
For the Crispy Breading
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp paprika smoked or sweet
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tbsp water or milk
  • 1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet
  • Meat Mallet or Rolling Pin
  • Shallow dishes (for breading)
  • Toothpicks
  • Instant-Read Thermometer

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
  2. Place one chicken breast at a time between two pieces of plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch. This is key to ensuring it cooks evenly and rolls easily. Season both sides of the flattened chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper.
Stuff and Roll the Chicken
  1. On each flattened chicken breast, lay one slice of ham and then one slice of Swiss cheese, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges to help seal.
  2. Starting from one of the shorter ends, roll each chicken breast up tightly, tucking in the sides as you go to enclose the filling completely. Secure each roll with 2-3 toothpicks to prevent it from unravelling during baking.
Bread and Bake the Chicken
  1. Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes. In the first, combine the flour, paprika, and garlic powder. In the second, whisk the eggs with the water or milk. In the third, place the Panko breadcrumbs.
  2. Working with one chicken roll at a time, first dredge it in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it completely in the egg wash, allowing the excess to drip off. Finally, press the roll firmly into the Panko breadcrumbs, ensuring it's fully and evenly coated all over.
  3. Arrange the breaded chicken rolls seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the tops of each roll. This helps the Panko get extra crispy and golden brown.
  4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden brown and crisp. The internal temperature should register 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken (not the cheese filling).
Rest and Serve
  1. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before serving. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the chicken is moist and tender. Carefully remove all toothpicks before slicing and serving warm.

Notes

To ensure the cheese doesn't leak out, make sure to roll the chicken tightly and secure it well with toothpicks. For an even crispier crust, you can toast the Panko breadcrumbs in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes before breading (let them cool first).
Air Fryer Method: Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until cooked through and golden. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.