Air-Fried Cordon Bleu: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Chicken Cordon Bleu is a delicious meal that can be made in an air fryer. It is a thinly pounded chicken breast wrapped around ham and Swiss cheese, then breaded and air-fried. The term 'Cordon Bleu' is French for 'blue ribbon', meaning it is of the highest class. This meal can be made from scratch or using store-bought frozen cordon bleu.

Preparing the chicken breasts

Firstly, you will need to cut and pound the chicken breasts. Using a sharp knife, cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise through the middle. You should now have four pieces of chicken. Place one or two pieces of chicken between sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet, gently pound the chicken until it is about 1/4 inch thick. Be careful not to pound too hard, as this can break the meat apart, making it difficult to roll and causing the cheese to melt out during cooking.

Next, it's time to assemble the Chicken Cordon Bleu. Lay each piece of chicken flat on your work surface. Place two slices of ham on top of each chicken piece. Cut a slice of Swiss cheese in half and place it in the middle of the ham. You can also add a secret sauce of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard on top of the cheese for extra flavour and creaminess.

Now, it's time to roll and secure the chicken. Starting from one end, begin to roll the chicken over the filling. When you reach the end, tuck the ham over itself and bring the other end of the chicken over, securing it with a toothpick. Tuck in the sides of the ham and secure with additional toothpicks. Don't worry if the sauce leaks out.

Once the chicken is rolled and secured, it's time to coat it with the wet and dry mixtures. First, dredge the chicken in flour, shaking off the excess. Then, dip it into a bowl of beaten egg, allowing the excess to drip back into the bowl. Finally, press the chicken into a mixture of bread crumbs and grated Parmesan cheese, coating both sides.

Place the breaded chicken on a plate and spray with non-stick spray. Let it sit for about 5 minutes while your air fryer preheats to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken breasts, spray any dry spots with non-stick spray, and cook for an additional 8 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the centre. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the centre should read at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Assembling the cordon bleu

To assemble the cordon bleu, you'll first need to prepare the chicken breasts. Pound the chicken breasts until they are around 1/4 inch thick. You can do this by placing the chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper and using a meat mallet to gently pound it out. Alternatively, you can cut a slit in the chicken breast and stuff the ham and cheese inside.

Once the chicken is prepared, it's time to add the fillings. Lay a slice or two of ham on top of each piece of chicken, followed by a slice of Swiss cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also add a slice of tomato on top of the cheese. If you want to be more creative with your fillings, you can use prosciutto and Gruyere cheese or any other type of sliced cheese you prefer.

At this point, you can also add a "secret sauce" to give your cordon bleu an extra flavour boost. Simply combine mayonnaise and Dijon mustard in a small bowl and spread the mixture over the cheese. This step is completely optional, but it adds a nice touch of creaminess to the dish.

Now it's time to roll up your cordon bleu. Starting from one end, carefully roll the chicken over the fillings, tucking in the ham as you go. Secure the roll with toothpicks, making sure to tuck in the sides as well. Don't worry if your rolling isn't perfect, as some cheese may melt out during cooking.

Once your rolls are secured, it's time to coat them with the egg wash and dry breadcrumb mixture. Dip each roll into a shallow tray of whisked eggs and Dijon mustard, then coat them with the breadcrumb and Panko mixture. Let the chicken sit for a few minutes to ensure the breading is covering the entire roll.

And that's it! Your cordon bleu is now assembled and ready to be cooked in your air fryer. Simply spritz the air fryer basket with oil, place the chicken rolls inside, and cook according to your desired level of doneness. Remember to remove the toothpicks before serving and enjoy your delicious, crispy creation!

Cooking in the air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook Chicken Cordon Bleu, and they can be used to cook both fresh and frozen varieties. Here is a step-by-step guide to making this delicious dish in your air fryer.

Firstly, prepare your chicken breasts. You will need two boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. Cut each breast in half lengthwise, so you have four thin pieces of chicken. Place each piece between sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap and use a meat mallet to pound the chicken to an even thickness of around 1/4 inch.

Next, it's time to assemble the Chicken Cordon Bleu. Place two slices of ham on top of each piece of chicken. Cut four slices of Swiss cheese in half and lay them in the middle of the ham. At this point, you can also add a secret sauce of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard, which will add extra flavour and creaminess to the dish. Starting from one end, roll the chicken over the filling, tucking in the ham and securing it with toothpicks.

Now, it's time to coat the chicken. You will need three separate bowls. In the first bowl, place some all-purpose flour. In the second bowl, whisk together some eggs and Dijon mustard. In the third bowl, mix together breadcrumbs (a combination of Panko and regular), grated Parmesan cheese, and seasonings such as salt and pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. First, dredge the chicken in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl. Finally, press the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides.

Preheat your air fryer to 350-380 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the breaded chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure there is space between each piece. Spritz the chicken and the basket with oil, and cook for 18-20 minutes. For best results, flip the chicken halfway through cooking and spritz with more oil. The chicken is ready when the breading is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Don't forget to remove the toothpicks!

You can serve Chicken Cordon Bleu with a variety of sides, such as steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, or a simple salad. Enjoy!

Reheating tips

Chicken cordon bleu can be reheated in an air fryer if you have any leftovers. It is best to reheat it in the air fryer rather than a microwave to ensure the breaded exterior remains crispy. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your leftover chicken cordon bleu in the air fryer basket and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until warmed through.

If you want to reheat frozen, pre-cooked chicken cordon bleu, spritz the air fryer basket with oil and place the frozen cordon bleu inside. Spritz the top of the breaded chicken with oil and air fry at 325 degrees Fahrenheit/160 degrees Celsius for 35 to 40 minutes. When cooking raw chicken from frozen, the internal temperature should reach around 165 degrees Fahrenheit/74 degrees Celsius.

If you are reheating uncooked chicken cordon bleu that has been refrigerated, preheat your air fryer to the highest setting (around 450 degrees Fahrenheit/230 degrees Celsius). Remove the chicken from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking and place it in the air fryer in a single layer. Spritz the surface with oil and air fry at 375 degrees Fahrenheit/190 degrees Celsius for 18 to 20 minutes.

If you are reheating fully cooked chicken cordon bleu that is not frozen, use a lower temperature setting (around 300 degrees Fahrenheit/150 degrees Celsius) and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Using a higher temperature will reduce the cooking time but may cause the breading to brown too much.

Serving suggestions

Chicken Cordon Bleu is a rich dish, so it is best to keep side dishes simple and light. Here are some serving suggestions:

Vegetables

Steamed vegetables, such as broccoli with a light lemon butter sauce, or green beans, are a great accompaniment to Chicken Cordon Bleu. You could also serve roasted asparagus or a simple side salad.

Starch

Chicken Cordon Bleu goes well with mashed potatoes or rice. For a simple rice pilaf, try making homemade herb rice-a-roni.

Other

If you want to serve Chicken Cordon Bleu with sweet potato, you could make sweet potato fries or a sweet potato casserole. Alternatively, serve it with garlic cheese bread or Air Fryer Ranch Potatoes.

Frequently asked questions