Chicken cordon bleu is a classic dish that combines the delicious flavors of chicken, ham, and cheese. Getting the temperature right when cooking chicken cordon bleu is essential for optimizing texture and taste. Undercooking leaves the chicken risky to eat, while overcooking dries it out.
I’ve put together the most important information you need to know to make juicy, flavorful chicken cordon bleu after reading a lot of different sources. For always perfect chicken cordon bleu, this article will talk about the right internal temperature, the best way to cook it, common mistakes, how to serve it, and more.
What is the Ideal Internal Temperature?
Expert chefs and food safety organizations overwhelmingly agree that chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be safe to eat This temperature kills any potential bacteria like Salmonella
For chicken cordon bleu specifically hitting 165°F in the thickest part of the chicken breast ensures
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The chicken is completely cooked through.
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The cheese filling is fully melted.
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The ham is heated through.
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The breading is crispy and golden brown.
Using an instant-read meat thermometer is the only reliable way to determine doneness. Simply insert it into the center of the thickest breast portion avoiding touching bone.
Oven Baking Method
It is common to bake chicken cordon bleu in the oven. Here are the recommended oven settings:
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Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). This provides even, consistent heat.
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Bake for 25-35 minutes. Cooking time varies based on thickness.
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Check the internal temperature and ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
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Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving for juicier chicken.
The advantage of baking is it cooks the chicken gradually without over-browning the breading.
Pan Frying Method
Pan-frying chicken cordon bleu creates a crispy browned exterior:
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Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
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Cook each side for 6-8 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
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Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
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Take care not to burn the breading. Adjust heat as needed.
Pan-frying requires more attentiveness but offers a delicious, crispy texture.
Air Fryer Method
Air fryers provide a lower-fat cooking option:
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Pre-heat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C).
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Cook for around 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
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Verify the internal temperature again reaches 165°F (74°C).
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The high heat crisps the exterior while keeping the inside moist.
Air frying chicken cordon bleu is quick and convenient, with less oil than pan frying.
Common Mistakes
Avoid these pitfalls when cooking chicken cordon bleu:
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Not using a meat thermometer to check doneness.
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Overfilling with too much cheese or ham.
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Rushing the cooking and undercooking the chicken.
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Overcooking until chicken dries out.
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Microwaving to reheat, causing sogginess.
With the proper temperature and technique, you can avoid these issues.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken cordon bleu deserves some delicious side dishes like:
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Steamed asparagus or green beans
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Roasted new potatoes or creamy mashed potatoes
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Quinoa or rice pilaf
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Mixed green salad with vinaigrette
A classic cheese sauce or a white wine cream sauce can bring out the flavors. Garnishing with fresh parsley adds brightness.
Helpful Tips
Follow these useful tips for flawless chicken cordon bleu:
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Pound chicken to an even 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch thickness so it cooks consistently.
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Chill stuffed chicken 20-30 minutes before breading so filling stays in place.
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Use high-quality Swiss, gruyere, or provolone cheese for best melting.
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Match the ham to the cheese flavor (smoked, honey-baked etc).
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For the breading, use fine dry breadcrumbs or panko for extra crunch.
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Let baked chicken cordon bleu rest before slicing for maximum juiciness.
Cooking chicken cordon bleu to the ideal internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is the key to safe, properly cooked chicken and a melted filling. Whether you bake, pan-fry, or air fry, monitoring temperature with a meat thermometer guarantees the best results. Combined with high-quality ingredients, proper technique, and delicious sides, you’ll achieve the perfect chicken cordon bleu.
How to Store Chicken Cordon Bleu
If you’re lucky enough to have leftover homemade chicken cordon bleu or you’d like to get a jump on meal prep, check out these handy tips: Storing/Reheating Leftovers: Tightly cover and refrigerate cooled chicken cordon bleu rolls for up to 3 to 4 days. Slice and enjoy cold in place of luncheon or deli meat in a sandwich or, place rolls on microwavable plate. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and microwave on Medium-High (70%) for 1 to 2 minutes or until 165°F. Do not freeze as the coating will become soggy. Oven baking leftovers is not recommended, as the chicken tends to get tough and dried out. Prepping Ahead: Prepare as directed through Step 2. Wrap rolls with plastic wrap and place inside freezer food storage bag. Freeze up to 1 or 2 months. To thaw, place in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Continue as directed in Step 3, adding a few extra minutes of baking time for starting with cold chicken rolls.
How Do You Make Chicken Cordon Bleu?
What is cordon bleu? We’ll break down the simple steps here. It’s easy to learn how to make Chicken Cordon Bleu, with a few tips, directly from the Betty Crocker Test Kitchens! Follow the recipe for the details, but here’s the low-down on making the best Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe: Pounding the Chicken: Most important to the success of this recipe, is pounding chicken breasts flat enough. Place them between sheets of plastic wrap to keep bits of raw chicken and juices from flying when you pound them. Use a meat mallet to pound the slices. Don’t have a meat mallet? Use a heavy skillet or a rolling pin instead! You may want to stop before the breasts are 1/4-inch thick, but don’t. If they are thicker, they will be very difficult to roll up. Layer Up the Flavor: Mustard is spread over the chicken breast and then chives get sprinkled on before thin slices of flavorful ham and cheese get placed on top. The mustard not only adds flavor, but also helps to anchor the other toppings on the chicken. Roll Up and Coat: Take the ingredients for the Chicken Cordon Bleu and roll them up. Then, quickly dip them in egg white, which will stick the coating to the chicken. Finally, roll them in crushed corn flakes to make a crunchy, crispy topping that makes this chicken dish stand out. Bake and Enjoy: Bake the rolls in the oven and have fun slicing through the roll, to see and taste the scrumptious layers. If you need a Gluten-Free Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe, we’ve got you covered!.
Classic Chicken Cordon Bleu (Baked or Fried)
FAQ
What temperature do you bake Cordon Bleu?
How Long to Cook Chicken Cordon Bleu. This recipe should be fully cooked after 30-35 minutes in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F. To be sure, check your oven. The chicken should no longer be pink, and a meat thermometer inserted into the middle should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
How long to cook a chicken cordon?
Coat chicken rolls with egg white mixture; roll in crumbs. Place in baking dish; sprinkle with paprika. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in center.
How long to cook grocery store chicken cordon bleu?
Bake: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
How long to bake chicken breast at 375 degrees?
To bake boneless, skinless chicken breasts at 375°F, expect them to take roughly 20-30 minutes. However, the exact time will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts. Bone-in, skin-on breasts will require a longer cooking time, around 35-40 minutes.