Air fryer chicken cordon bleu is a delicious meal that the entire family will love. This air fried chicken cordon bleu is filled with all the ham and swiss cheese we love about the recipe and covered in a delicious, crunchy, air fried breading that will have everyone at the table begging for more.
If you’re feeling like a fancy meal, why not cook up this simple chicken recipe? I love the flavors and taste of this delicious dinner idea and I think you will as well.
I’m also equally as excited about the fact that this recipe contains chicken, ham, and cheese. Talk about a ton of great flavors in one easy bite. The saltiness of the ham combined with the creaminess of the cheese makes for a truly amazing flavor and taste.
If you’ve never made chicken cordon bleu before, it’s time to use your air fryer to make it happen. It’s fast, simple, and delicious. The flavors meld together wonderfully, the chicken is tender and juicy, and that breading is just superb.
Chicken cordon bleu in the air fryer is a dish that’s easy to make but tastes like so much work. Those are always my secret weapons.
What does chicken cordon bleu mean in French?
If you think that it sounds quite fancy that’s because it is! It’s from the French wording for “blue ribbon” which we all know is what is given to a first-place or things that are excellent.
It’s also been noted that the dish didn’t actually start in France but rather in Switzerland.
What is another name for chicken cordon bleu?
In many other parts of the world, it’s known as a schnitzel. This isn’t the common phrasing in the US but it’s still a fun fact to know!
History of Chicken Cordon Bleu
The history of this dish is very interesting because of where it originated and where it DIDN’T originate. If you’re like most people, you probably think that this recipe is from France, but it isn’t. While the name is French, it’s actually a Swiss dish.
It’s believed that this delicious chicken recipe was invented in a restaurant in Brigg, Switzerland in the 1940s. Two large restaurant bookings arrived, and the cook didn’t have enough food to serve to everyone.
Necessity being the mother of invention, the cook made schnitzels and filled them with ham and cheese, allowing her to serve food to both groups.
The owner of the restaurant was so happy with the results that the cook was offer “Le Cordon Bleu” – the blue ribbon – which as used in France to recognize a superior cook.
However, the cook was a modest woman and instead, she suggested that her dish receive the Cordon Bleu name. And thus, the world was graced with a Swiss dish bearing a French name.
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu Pairings
Outside of being made in an air fryer, this air fried chicken cordon bleu recipe is true to the classic. As such, I like to pair it with classic accompaniments. Sides and wines can turn crispy breaded chicken stuffed with ham and cheese into a true culinary experience.
Side Dishes for Air Fried Chicken Cordon Bleu
Since the main component of this dish is chicken, it really does pair well with just about anything. I love to make anything potato for this recipe or even some nice steamed veggies, too.
Of course, with a dish this hearty, you could always go with a nice side salad, as well. It’s really up to you. Chicken is to food what black is to fashion. They both go with everything.
As long as you’re in the air fryer mood, you can try these Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings or even these Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings as well!
Wine Choices for Chicken Cordon Bleu
If you’re looking for a wine pairing with cordon bleu, a good choice is a chardonnay or even a semi-sweet white wine. However, if you want to drink wine with this recipe, just pick a wine and drink it!
Dips
Some people don’t use any type of dip, but it’s all up to you! There are directions in the recipe below to make a delicious garlic dijon dip that can add a nice flavor and taste.
I also love to dip this in sour cream and some paprika and other seasonings as well. Use your tastebuds to be your guide and you’ll find something that you can love and crave.
How to Tell When Chicken Cordon Bleu is Done
Since there are so many different components to the inside of this recipe, people often wonder how to tell when it’s done cooking. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to tell when the chicken is done.
It should have a reading of 165 degrees internally to show that it’s done cooking and ready to enjoy.
I recommend using a meat thermometer when cooking any cut of meat, but it’s especially important with chicken. If your beef isn’t done to perfection, you’ll just have something that’s a bit to rare or not tender enough.
If your chicken isn’t done, you could be looking at a serious health emergency.
If you don’t have a meat thermometer, get one for sure!
Storing Chicken Cordon Bleu
A good rule of thumb for any leftovers is that 2-3 days in the fridge is tops. This is the same length of time for this chicken recipe, too. Keep the air fried chicken cordon bleu in an air-tight container, and you’ll have no issues during that time frame.
Freezing this dish isn’t recommended. The crispy outside will never be the same after freezing, and the meat itself won’t have that same delicious melding of flavors. I guess you’ll just have to eat it all before 3 days are up. It’s a tough job, but you can do it.
Heating Leftover Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
One of the biggest things to remember when you’re reheating this dish is that you need to find a way for it to be crispy as well. This means that popping it into the microwave is fine but it’s not going to give it that crispy crust that you’re looking for and craving.
Reheating this in the air fryer is going to be your best bet to get back that crunchy flavor and taste. You can also reheat low and slow in the oven or convection oven, too.
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu Ingredients
Although this recipe tastes fancy, it’s actually very easy, and the ingredient list reflects that. It’s amazing how these simple ingredients come together to make something greater than the sum of its parts. Here’s what you’ll need.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Paprika
- Deli slices of ham
- Swiss slices of cheese
- Dijon mustard
- Sour cream
- Crushed garlic
- All-purpose flour
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Eggs
- Panko bread crumbs or bread crumbs
- Minced onion
- Parsley
Tips for Making Chicken Cordon Bleu
As you’re making this simple recipe, there are a few tips to keep in mind.
How to cut the chicken
Be certain that when you’re cutting the chicken breast that you don’t cut it all the way through. You’re going to cut it until it’s almost cut in half and then unfold it and have it spread out. The chicken should still be connected on one side.
Tenderizing the chicken
Even though the chicken is already pretty tender, you are going to want to use a meat mallet to pound it out on a cutting board. Tenderizing the chicken breasts also thin it enough so that it’s not overly thick to try and cook in the air fryer.
Use plastic wrap to cover your chicken breasts while pounding to reduce mess.
Pounding the chicken also helps with the rolling part of the recipe.
Rolling the chicken
You’re going to use the chicken as your outside base for holding in the slices of ham and cheese. Roll the chicken as tightly as possible and don’t forget to use toothpicks to hold them in place.
We usually use ham and swiss cheese but on occasion, for a nice change, my husband or I will add a sprinkling of parmesan cheese on top of the ham and swiss cheese. Right inside the chicken breast.
Oh so good and definitely worth a try.
Setting up your dredging station
This can be a bit messy so I always tell people to have their station set up and ready to go. You should have three bowls set up (full ingredients and directions can be found below in the recipe).
You will need to season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Go in order and go quickly to minimize the mess.
Preheat the air fryer
Don’t skip over this step. You’re going to want to preheat the chicken for at least 5 minutes to get it to the right heat. If you don’t your breading and your chicken won’t begin cooking immediately, which will impact both the cooking time and the texture of the breading.
Spray the air fryer air basket
There’s a high probability that the chicken and panko crumbs are going to stick to the air fryer basket. To stop them from sticking, spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Since this recipe has you flip the chicken, be certain to spray the air fryer basket AGAIN once you flip.
You’ll also need to spray the chicken with cooking spray before cooking on both sides of the stuffed chicken breast.
Serve with a Dip
We usually serve this amazing air fried chicken cordon bleu with the quick dijon mustard dip included in the recipe.
However, sometimes my husband will take the time to make a different dip to serve with this recipe. He knows I LOVE to dip the chicken in honey mustard, our quick dip or even ranch.
Our collection of dips includes all of our favorites and I encourage you you have a look. I’m pretty sure you’ll be glad you did!
Give This Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu a Try
This air fryer chicken cordon bleu recipe is so easy to make, and it tastes absolutely amazing. The combination of swiss cheese, ham, chicken, and the delicious crispy breading all come together to create a dish that is absolutely divine and requires very little work on your part.
Give this recipe a try, and I’m sure both you and your family will agree that this is one of the tastiest chicken recipes you’ve ever had. Gather your ingredients and your air fryer, and you’re more than halfway there with this super easy recipe. Enjoy!
More Easy Chicken Recipes
- Air Fried Popcorn Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Flavor
- Best Fried Chicken and Waffles Recipe
- Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
- Ramen Chicken Noodle Soup
- Easy Healthy Chicken Stir Fry
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts, boneless skinless
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 8 slices deli ham
- 8 slices swiss cheese
- ¼ cup dijon mustard
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tsp garlic, crushed or minced
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tbsp onion, minced
- 1 tbsp parsley, garnish if desired
Instructions
- Get out and measure your ingredients.
- Lay out chicken breasts on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut along one side of the chicken breast until it is almost cut in half. Unfold the chicken and lay out flat.
- Place a film of plastic wrap over the chicken and pound out to ¼” thick using a meat mallet.
- Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- As evenly as possible.
- Place 2 slices of ham.
- And 2 slices of swiss cheese over the center of the chicken
- Starting at one side, tightly wrap the chicken, rolling to the other side.
- Secure using toothpicks.
- Rub remaining salt, pepper or paprika over your chicken breasts.
Prepare the dredging station
- Add flour, garlic, and onion powder to one bowl.
- Stir to combine.
- Whisk eggs into a second bowl.
- Add panko and minced onions to a third bowl.
- Dredge the chicken.
- First, roll the chicken into the seasoned flour.
- Then, dip and roll in the egg wash. Remove from eggs and let excess drip back into the bowl.
- Finally, roll into the panko bread crumbs until evenly coated.
- Repeat until all your chicken breasts are done.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380* for 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken to the air fryer basket and spray lightly with canola oil or nonstick cooking spray.
- Cook for 8 minutes, flip and spray again with canola oil and cook 8 minutes more.
- While the chicken is cooking prepare the dip.
- Add dijon mustard to a small bowl.
- Add sour cream, and crushed garlic.
- Whisk to combine.
- Remove from heat and pace on serving platter..
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with garlic dijon dip. Serve each chicken cordon bleu cut in half. Enjoy!
Leave a Reply