An easy Chicken Cordon Bleu which is quick to prepare, and baked rather than fried. All the flavour, all the crunch, a beautiful golden crumb, and it’s better for you!.
Chicken stuffed with ham and cheese, coated with crunchy golden breadcrumbs. You’d swear it’s fried – but it’s baked.
The classic way to make Chicken Cordon Bleu involves breast pounded until thin, layered with ham and cheese, rolled into a log, chilled, dredged in flour then egg then breadcrumbs then deep fried (and you need a lot of oil to deep fry them). It’s not dissimilar to Chicken Kiev in this respect.
But phew! I got tired just typing that out!! And it’s certainly not something that I’m making tonight. .
BUT – you can definitely make my Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu tonight. Because it’s just that – EASY.
Chicken cordon bleu is a classic French dish that combines chicken ham and Swiss cheese to create a delicious breaded and baked entree. It’s perfect for a special occasion dinner or as an easy weeknight meal. If you want to make chicken cordon bleu at home, the first step is finding where to buy it! Here are some tips on where to purchase high-quality chicken cordon bleu
Grocery Stores
The grocery store is one of the best places to find chicken cordon bleu. In the meat section of many big grocery stores, like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, and Albertsons, you can find it fresh or frozen. When buying a ready-made chicken cordon bleu, make sure to read the list of ingredients to make sure it has real chicken breast, ham, and Swiss cheese, not fake versions of those things. There is also often chicken cordon bleu in the frozen foods section that only needs to be baked at home. Most grocery stores carry well-known brands of chicken cordon bleu, such as Barber Foods, Banquet, and Tyson.
There are even high-end grocery stores like Whole Foods Market that make their own fresh chicken cordon bleu in the meat department. You can buy the freshest chicken cordon bleu from a restaurant here without having to bread it yourself. Just pick it up in the prepared foods section and bake it at home. The ingredients will be top-notch.
When you go to the store to buy chicken cordon bleu, choose fresh chicken whenever you can for the best taste and texture. Look at the expiration date and choose the package that is the farthest away from going bad. Look for ice crystals instead of frost on frozen chicken cordon bleu. Frost means the chicken wasn’t fully frozen. Vacuum sealed pouches help maintain freshness longer.
Warehouse Stores
Warehouse club stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s often sell large packages of frozen chicken cordon bleu at a discount. This is a great option if you need to feed a crowd or want to stock up your freezer. You can find name brand chicken cordon bleu as well as store branded options. Just be sure to have room in your freezer before purchasing.
The chicken cordon bleu sold at warehouse stores typically comes in big plastic bags rather than individual boxes. You’ll want to break it down into meal-sized portions before freezing. Wrap each piece of chicken cordon bleu tightly in plastic wrap or put in a resealable freezer bag. This prevents freezer burn.
If you want to make sure you’re getting a good deal on chicken cordon bleu at warehouse stores, look at the price per pound. It only saves money to buy in bulk if the price per unit is lower. Don’t buy more than you’ll use before it expires.
Online Grocery Delivery
Services like Instacart, AmazonFresh, and Walmart Grocery allow you to order chicken cordon bleu online and have it delivered straight to your door. This is super convenient, especially when you need an ingredient for a last minute recipe. You can browse chicken cordon bleu options from stores in your area and see what’s in stock.
Make sure to tip your driver generously since they are doing the shopping and delivery for you! Also check delivery windows when placing your order. Depending on your location, it may take a few days to get a delivery time. Order any perishables like chicken cordon bleu at least 1-2 days before you need them.
A benefit of ordering chicken cordon bleu for delivery rather than buying in the store is you don’t have to carry heavy packages or load up your car. Just order what you need for your recipe and the groceries come to you. Easy peasy!
Butcher Shops or Meat Markets
For truly fresh, high-quality chicken cordon bleu, stop by your local butcher shop or meat market. Many butchers can prepare chicken cordon bleu to order by pounding chicken breasts thin, seasoning them, adding ham and Swiss cheese, then breading and cooking them. This is as good as you can get outside of a restaurant!
You may even be able to customize your chicken cordon bleu with artisan meats and cheeses for next level flavor. Opt for Swiss cheese made with grass-fed milk or uncured Black Forest ham. Choose organic or free-range chicken. The possibilities are endless.
This will likely be more expensive than grabbing premade chicken cordon bleu off the shelf at the grocery store. However, the taste makes it worth it for a special occasion. You can’t beat chicken cordon bleu prepared right in front of you by a trained butcher.
Direct from Brands
Finally, you may be able to order chicken cordon bleu directly from popular brands like Barber Foods. Check their website to see if you can order online and have it shipped frozen right to your door. This cuts out the middleman of the grocery store for maximum convenience.
Barber Foods has over 60 years of experience hand-breading and cooking chicken cordon bleu to juicy perfection. By buying directly from the source, you can ensure you’re getting an authentic product. Other brands like Banquet or Swiss Colony may also offer online ordering options.
Compare prices between brand websites and stores carefully. Direct shipping costs can sometimes cancel out any savings on the product price itself. Don’t forget to factor in shipping!
Chicken cordon bleu is readily available at most major grocery stores in the frozen foods section. But for the best quality and flavor, consider a butcher shop, meat market, or purchasing directly from brands. Whatever option fits your budget and preferences, chicken cordon bleu makes for a memorable meal. Bon appetit!
Choose your own adventure: Crumbing
Next up is the breadcrumb. I’ve got 2 methods to choose from:
Method 1: Super Easy – Smear mayo and mustard on the chicken, then sprinkle over breadcrumbs. The mayo-mustard mixture acts as glue / flavouring and oil to help make the breadcrumb toasty gold; OR.
Method 2: Quick Dredge – Dunk chicken in egg flour mixture (combined in same bowl), then in breadcrumbs.
After coating the chicken with breadcrumbs, just give them a quick spray and voila! Ready for baking!
More crunchy crumbed chicken
Publix Chicken Cordon Bleu vs Barber Foods Cordon Bleu | But at Home
FAQ
Does Aldi’s carry chicken cordon bleu?
Kirkwood Cordon Bleu Stuffed Chicken Entree Same-Day Delivery or Pickup | ALDI.
What is another name for chicken cordon bleu?
In Italian this dish is called “involtini di pollo,” but the dish is apparently not native to Italy. Wikipedia says that the recipe comes from Austria. Since the chicken is coated in fried breadcrumbs, Austria seems like the most likely place where it was created.
Does Sam’s Club carry chicken cordon bleu?
Barber Foods Cordon Bleu Stuffed Chicken Breasts, Uncooked (36 oz., 6 ct.) – Sam’s Club.
Does Arby’s have a chicken cordon bleu?
Arby’s is bringing back the Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich. It has a breaded chicken breast patty with thinly sliced smoked ham, melted Swiss cheese, and mayonnaise on top. It is served on a buttery brioche bun.