Looking for a way to impress dinner guests without spending hours in the kitchen? Chicken Cordon Bleu might sound fancy, but it’s actually a lot easier to make than you’d think. After years of ordering this classic French-inspired dish at restaurants, I finally learned how to make it at home – and trust me, the baked version is just as good as the traditional fried one, with way less mess to clean up.
This recipe takes the basic combo of chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese and turns it into something that looks like it came from a nice restaurant, but only requires basic ingredients and simple techniques. It’s perfect for those nights when you want to serve something special without stressing yourself out in the kitchen.
Ingredient Substitutions
For a healthier alternative, turkey breast slices can replace ham, offering a leaner protein option with a similar savory flavor. Adjust cooking time slightly as turkey may cook faster than ham. String cheese can be substituted with low-fat mozzarella slices or dairy-free cheese for those avoiding dairy, maintaining the melty texture crucial to the dish. Use the same amount as the string cheese. Dry bread crumbs can be replaced with crushed pork rinds or almond flour for a low-carb, gluten-free coating. These alternatives will provide a crispy exterior, though you may need to adjust the quantity to achieve the desired coverage. When using pork rinds or almond flour, watch the baking time closely to prevent burning.
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 40-50 minutes |
| Total Time | 55-70 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2300-2500
- Protein: 180-200 g
- Fat: 150-170 g
- Carbohydrates: 100-120 g
Ingredients
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, flattened to 1/2 inch thickness
- 6 sticks of string cheese
- 6 pieces of ham
- 0.5 cup melted butter
- 1 cup dry bread crumbs with seasoning
- Toothpicks
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Rolls
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
While the oven is heating, lay out the pounded chicken breasts on a clean surface.
For each piece of chicken, place a slice of ham on top, followed by one stick of cheese.
Carefully roll the chicken around the cheese and ham, securing each roll with toothpicks to hold its shape.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken Rolls
Next, dip each chicken roll in melted butter to coat it thoroughly.
Then, roll each buttered chicken piece in bread crumbs, ensuring an even coating.
This step will help to create a crispy outer layer once baked.
Step 3: Bake the Chicken Rolls
Place the breaded chicken rolls in a shallow baking dish.
Put the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until the chicken is browned and the juices run clear, indicating that the chicken is fully cooked.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Once done, carefully remove the chicken rolls from the oven.
Let them cool slightly before removing the toothpicks, slicing, and serving.
Enjoy your deliciously cheesy, crispy chicken rolls!
