Stuffed Chicken Breasts Cordon Bleu

Prep 15 min
Total 45 min
Ingredients 5
Servings 4

Baked chicken cordon bleu has a fancy reputation, but this recipe couldn't be any easier. Tender chicken breasts are stuffed with chopped ham and shredded Swiss cheese and topped with butter-coated Italian-style breadcrumbs. This easy chicken cordon bleu will taste like it comes from your favorite restaurant but is served up right at your family's dinner table.

By Pillsbury Kitchens

Updated December 23, 2020

Ingredients

4

large boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 lb)
1/2

cup shredded Swiss cheese (2 oz)
1/2

cup finely chopped ham (2 oz)
3

tablespoons butter, melted
3/4

cup Progresso™ Italian style panko crispy bread crumbs

Steps

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1

Heat oven to 375°F. To form pocket in each chicken breast, cut 3-inch-long slit in thick side of each breast, cutting into breast about 2 inches and to within 1/2 inch of opposite side.
2

In small bowl, mix cheese and ham. Spoon evenly into pockets in chicken; secure openings with toothpicks.
3

Place melted butter in shallow dish. Place bread crumbs on large plate. Dip each stuffed chicken breast into butter; roll in bread crumbs to coat. Place in ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Sprinkle any remaining bread crumbs over chicken.
4

Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (at least 165°F). Remove toothpicks before serving.

When you buy chicken breasts at the store, you may notice they vary in thickness. Pound each chicken breast on a cutting board before stuffing to ensure each is uniform.
You can stuff 1 to 2 thin slices of deli ham in the pocket of each chicken breast in place of the chopped ham.
To quickly melt butter, cover and microwave on High about 30 seconds.
Stick an instant-read meat thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken and check for a temperature of 165°F to be sure your chicken is fully cooked before serving.
To make this meal complete, serve stuffed chicken cordon bleu with a side of fresh salad or vegetables like roasted broccoli.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving

Calories: 400
Calories from Fat: 180

% Daily Value

Total Fat: 20g; 30%
Saturated Fat 10g 49% Trans Fat 1/2g
Cholesterol: 130mg; 44%
Sodium: 720mg; 30%
Potassium: 330mg; 9%
Total Carbohydrate: 15g; 5%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0% Sugars 0g
Protein: 40g

% Daily Value*:

Vitamin A: 8%; 8%
Vitamin C: 0%; 0%
Calcium: 15%; 15%
Iron: 8%; 8%

Exchanges:

1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 5 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 1/2 High-Fat Meat; 2 1/2 Fat;

Carbohydrate Choice

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

In French, “cordon bleu” translates to “blue ribbon” in English, and believe it or not, this term dates all the way back to 16th century France, according to Smithsonian. An order of knights that were created by King Henry III of France wore blue ribbons with the cross of the Holy Spirit attached. Large feasts were held for these knights, and the food served was of the highest quality for the prestigious group—it’s thought that the term “cordon bleu” then became associated not only with the knights, but also with the food served at their dinners. Chicken cordon bleu nowadays is a type of stuffed chicken breast. The common fillings are ham and cheese (often Swiss cheese). This dish can be baked in the oven or cooked on the stove. This easy five-ingredient recipe is baked in the oven and is stuffed with the classic cordon bleu ingredients, and to make it even better, is rolled in a panko bread crumb mixture for a tasty, crunchy finishing touch. Stuffing chicken breasts with ham and Swiss is just the beginning. Thanks to chicken breasts’ versatility, you can prepare them in seemingly endless different ways! Browse all of our easy chicken breast recipes and see for yourself.