Air-Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Chicken Cordon Bleu is a French dish that translates to blue ribbon, meaning it's of the highest quality. It is a dish of flattened, stuffed chicken breast rolled up with ham and cheese, then breaded and fried. This can be done in an air fryer at 370–400 °F for 18–25 minutes.

Chicken Cordon Bleu ingredients

Chicken Cordon Bleu is a French dish, with the name translating to "blue ribbon", indicating the highest quality. It is a dish of flattened, stuffed chicken breast, rolled up, breaded, and cooked.

The ingredients for Chicken Cordon Bleu are:

• Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless.
• Ham, typically deli ham, thinly sliced.
• Cheese, with Swiss cheese being the most popular, but Gruyere, provolone, and mozzarella are also used.
• Breadcrumbs, usually a combination of regular and panko breadcrumbs for the perfect crunch without falling off.
• Spices and seasonings, including salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
• Oil or butter for cooking.

Some recipes also include:

• Eggs for an egg wash to help the breading stick.
• Flour for dredging the chicken.
• Mustard, usually dijon, which can be mixed with mayonnaise for a sauce to spread on the chicken or be included in the egg wash.
• Parmesan cheese, grated and mixed with the breadcrumbs.

Chicken Cordon Bleu prep

Chicken Cordon Bleu is a French dish that is both delicious and impressive. The name means "blue ribbon", indicating the high quality of the dish. It involves flattening chicken breasts, stuffing them with ham and cheese, and then breading and frying, baking, or air-frying them. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing Chicken Cordon Bleu for your air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Swiss cheese
• Ham
• Flour
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs (regular and/or panko)
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Optional: Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, Parmesan cheese, milk, butter

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Place a chicken breast on a flat surface and cut it horizontally through the middle, being careful not to cut all the way through. Open it up like a book and pound it with a meat mallet until it is about 1/4 inch thick. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts.

Step 2: Create the Filling

On each chicken breast, layer slices of ham and cheese. You can also spread a sauce made from Dijon mustard and mayonnaise on the chicken before adding the ham and cheese. Roll up the chicken breasts and secure them with toothpicks.

Step 3: Bread the Chicken

Set up three shallow bowls. In the first, place some flour. In the second, beat an egg. In the third, mix breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese, and any desired spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, cumin. First, dredge the chicken breasts in flour, shaking off the excess. Then, dip them into the beaten egg, and finally, press them into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides.

Step 4: Air Fry

Preheat your air fryer to between 350-380 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the breaded chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer and spray with olive oil or cooking spray. Air fry for about 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Flip the chicken breasts halfway through and spray any dry spots with oil or cooking spray.

Your Chicken Cordon Bleu is now ready to be served! Enjoy the delicious, crispy, and cheesy dish!

Air fryer temperature and time

The air fryer temperature and time will depend on the type of chicken cordon bleu you are cooking. If you are cooking it from raw, the temperature and time will be different from cooking it from frozen.

Cooking Raw Chicken Cordon Bleu in the Air Fryer

When cooking raw chicken cordon bleu in the air fryer, the temperature you should set it to varies. Some sources suggest 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius), while others suggest 370 degrees Fahrenheit, 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius), or even 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

The cooking time also varies, but most sources suggest cooking it for around 20 minutes. Some suggest cooking it for 10 minutes, then flipping the chicken and cooking for a further 8 minutes, while others suggest cooking it for 6 minutes, adding the breadcrumb mixture, and then cooking for another 6-8 minutes.

Cooking Frozen Chicken Cordon Bleu in the Air Fryer

When cooking frozen chicken cordon bleu in the air fryer, the temperature you should set it to is 380 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time for this is around 18-20 minutes.

Checking the Chicken Cordon Bleu is Cooked

Regardless of the temperature and time you choose, it is important to ensure that the chicken is cooked through. You can do this by checking that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).

Chicken Cordon Bleu sauce

Chicken Cordon Bleu is a French dish that is typically served with a creamy mustard sauce. The sauce is made by creating a roux with butter and flour, then adding milk, Dijon or spicy brown mustard, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. You can also add basil or paprika for extra flavour. The sauce should be thick and creamy, with a tangy flavour from the mustard.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 cups whole or 2% milk
• 4 tablespoons Dijon or spicy brown mustard
• 6 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

• In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
• Sprinkle in the flour while whisking to create a paste. Cook for 1 minute until the mixture begins to brown.
• While whisking, add the milk and allow the sauce to thicken.
• Add the mustard, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Stir until combined.
• Serve over Chicken Cordon Bleu.

This sauce can also be made without the mustard by increasing the amount of Parmesan cheese and adding red or white wine vinegar for flavour. You can also substitute skim milk for whole or 2% milk to make a healthier version of the sauce. However, the sauce may be thinner and less flavourful.

Chicken Cordon Bleu sides

Chicken Cordon Bleu is a rich and indulgent dish, so it's best to pair it with simple, fresh, and light sides. Here are some ideas for side dishes that will complement your Chicken Cordon Bleu:

• Salad: A fresh and tangy salad is a great way to balance out the richness of the Chicken Cordon Bleu. Include some crunchy vegetables and fruits with a tangy vinaigrette dressing.
• Steamed or roasted broccoli: Broccoli has mild flavours that can balance the Chicken Cordon Bleu nicely. You can also top it with some Dijon sauce or grill it with a good cooking oil and salt for extra flavour.
• Asparagus in lemon butter sauce: Asparagus is a nutritious side dish that adds a nice crunch to your meal. Drenching it in lemon butter sauce adds tons of flavour to this otherwise bland vegetable.
• Balsamic-glazed green beans: Coating green beans in a balsamic dressing gives a nice contrast in colour and texture to the Chicken Cordon Bleu. You can also sauté onions in butter, mix in vinegar, sugar, and chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Let it simmer until the sauce thickens, and then add the cooked green beans and coat them for two minutes.
• Mashed potatoes: Mashed potatoes are a classic, comforting side dish that pairs well with the Chicken Cordon Bleu. For a twist, try roasted garlic mashed potatoes.
• Rice: A simple serving of steamed white rice is a great starchy side to counterbalance the protein and fat in the Chicken Cordon Bleu. For extra flavour, you can make garlic butter rice by sautéing the rice with garlic and butter.
• Roasted vegetables: Roasted Brussels sprouts, baby carrots, or parsnips are all great options to pair with Chicken Cordon Bleu. You can also try zucchini fries as a healthier alternative to French fries.
• Sweet potatoes: Baked sweet potatoes make an excellent, subtle and sweet side dish to Chicken Cordon Bleu. You can pop them in the oven and top with butter for extra flavour.
• Bread: A simple side of bread is a great option, such as homemade Italian bread or old-fashioned yeast rolls.

These sides provide a range of flavours, textures, and colours to complement the Chicken Cordon Bleu, so you can choose a few options to create a well-rounded and satisfying meal.

Frequently asked questions