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baked-chicken-cordon-bleu-sliced-dijon-cream-sauce

Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu

Crispy golden chicken breasts stuffed with savory Black Forest ham and melty Gruyere cheese, baked to perfection and served with a rich Dijon cream sauce.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, French-inspired
Calories: 680

Ingredients
  

  • 4 medium chicken breasts 6 to 7 oz each
  • 8 slices deli-cut Black Forest ham about 12 oz total, thick-cut recommended
  • 1.25 cup Gruyere cheese freshly shredded, heaping 1/4 cup per breast
  • 1.25 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1.5 tbsp olive oil for panko
  • 1.5 tbsp unsalted butter for panko
  • 0.33 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 0.5 tsp dried parsley
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp paprika
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder
  • 0.25 tsp salt for panko
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper for panko
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard for wash
  • 2 tbsp honey for wash
  • 2 tbsp olive oil for wash
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth for sauce
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch for sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream for sauce
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard for sauce
  • 1 tsp dried parsley for sauce
  • 0.5 tsp dried basil for sauce
  • 0.5 tsp paprika for sauce
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder for sauce
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder for sauce
  • 0.25 tsp salt for sauce
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper for sauce

Equipment

  • Rimmed baking sheet with wire rack
  • Meat mallet
  • Large skillet
  • Meat thermometer
  • Small saucepan
  • Toothpicks

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet and spray lightly with cooking spray. Pound each chicken breast between plastic wrap to an even 1/4-inch thickness.
  2. Lay 2 slices of ham on each breast. Add a heaping 1/4 cup Gruyere down the center, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Roll tightly from the narrow end, folding ham over the cheese at the end. Secure with 2 to 3 toothpicks.
  3. In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil. Toast panko for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden. Transfer to a shallow dish, cool completely, then mix in Parmesan and all spices.
  4. Whisk Dijon mustard, honey, and olive oil together in a shallow dish. Brush each chicken roll with the Dijon wash on all sides, then press panko firmly into every surface. Place on the prepared rack.
  5. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F. If tops brown too quickly in the last 10 minutes, tent loosely with foil. Remove toothpicks and rest 5 minutes before slicing.
  6. Whisk all Dijon cream sauce ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 5 to 7 minutes until thickened. Slice chicken rolls on the diagonal, drizzle with warm sauce, and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Roll and bread the chicken up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake. Toasted panko can be made 2 to 3 days in advance. Cooked rolls freeze well for up to 3 months. Store cream sauce separately to keep crust crispy.