An easy Chicken Cordon Bleu which is quick to prepare, and baked rather than fried. All the flavour, all the crunch, a beautiful golden crumb, and it’s better for you!.
Chicken stuffed with ham and cheese, coated with crunchy golden breadcrumbs. You’d swear it’s fried – but it’s baked.
Breasts are pounded until they are very thin, then ham and cheese are added and rolled into a log. The log is then chilled, dredged in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, and finally deep-fried (you need a lot of oil to deep-fry them). It’s not dissimilar to Chicken Kiev in this respect.
But phew! I got tired just typing that out!! And it’s certainly not something that I’m making tonight. .
BUT – you can definitely make my Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu tonight. Because it’s just that – EASY.
Chicken cordon bleu is a classic French dish that combines chicken ham and Swiss cheese to create a delicious breaded and baked entree. It’s perfect for a special occasion dinner or as an easy weeknight meal. If you want to make chicken cordon bleu at home, the first step is finding where to buy it! Here are some tips on where to purchase high-quality chicken cordon bleu
Grocery Stores
One of the easiest places to find chicken cordon bleu is at your local grocery store. Many major grocery chains like Kroger Safeway, Publix, and Albertsons will carry it either fresh or frozen in the meat department. Make sure to check the ingredients list when buying a premade chicken cordon bleu to ensure it contains real chicken breast ham, and Swiss cheese rather than substitutes. The frozen foods section will also often have chicken cordon bleu that just needs to be baked at home. You can typically find popular brands like Barber Foods, Banquet, and Tyson chicken cordon bleu at most grocery stores.
Some higher end grocery stores like Whole Foods Market even have fresh chicken cordon bleu made in-house in the meat department. This offers the freshest, restaurant-quality chicken cordon bleu you can buy without having to bread it yourself Just grab it from the prepared foods section and bake it at home. The ingredients will be top-notch
When you go to the store to buy chicken cordon bleu, choose fresh chicken whenever you can for the best taste and texture. Look at the expiration date and choose the package that is the farthest away from going bad. Look for ice crystals instead of frost on frozen chicken cordon bleu. Frost means the chicken wasn’t fully frozen. Vacuum sealed pouches help maintain freshness longer.
Warehouse Stores
There are often sales on big bags of frozen chicken cordon bleu at warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s. This is a great choice if you need to feed a lot of people or fill up your freezer. You can get chicken cordon bleu from both store brands and name brands. Just make sure you have room in your freezer before you buy.
Most of the time, chicken cordon bleu sold at warehouse stores comes in big plastic bags instead of individual boxes. Before you freeze it, you should cut it up into meal-sized pieces. Each chicken cordon bleu should be tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or put in a freezer bag that can be closed again. This prevents freezer burn.
If you want to make sure you’re getting a good deal on chicken cordon bleu at warehouse stores, look at the price per pound. It only saves money to buy in bulk if the price per unit is lower. Don’t buy more than you’ll use before it expires.
Online Grocery Delivery
Services like Instacart, AmazonFresh, and Walmart Grocery allow you to order chicken cordon bleu online and have it delivered straight to your door. This is super convenient, especially when you need an ingredient for a last minute recipe. You can browse chicken cordon bleu options from stores in your area and see what’s in stock.
Make sure to tip your driver generously since they are doing the shopping and delivery for you! Also check delivery windows when placing your order. Depending on your location, it may take a few days to get a delivery time. Order any perishables like chicken cordon bleu at least 1-2 days before you need them.
A benefit of ordering chicken cordon bleu for delivery rather than buying in the store is you don’t have to carry heavy packages or load up your car. Just order what you need for your recipe and the groceries come to you. Easy peasy!
Butcher Shops or Meat Markets
For truly fresh, high-quality chicken cordon bleu, stop by your local butcher shop or meat market. Many butchers can prepare chicken cordon bleu to order by pounding chicken breasts thin, seasoning them, adding ham and Swiss cheese, then breading and cooking them. This is as good as you can get outside of a restaurant!
You may even be able to customize your chicken cordon bleu with artisan meats and cheeses for next level flavor. Opt for Swiss cheese made with grass-fed milk or uncured Black Forest ham. Choose organic or free-range chicken. The possibilities are endless.
This will likely be more expensive than grabbing premade chicken cordon bleu off the shelf at the grocery store. However, the taste makes it worth it for a special occasion. You can’t beat chicken cordon bleu prepared right in front of you by a trained butcher.
Direct from Brands
Finally, you may be able to order chicken cordon bleu directly from popular brands like Barber Foods. Check their website to see if you can order online and have it shipped frozen right to your door. This cuts out the middleman of the grocery store for maximum convenience.
Barber Foods has over 60 years of experience hand-breading and cooking chicken cordon bleu to juicy perfection. By buying directly from the source, you can ensure you’re getting an authentic product. Other brands like Banquet or Swiss Colony may also offer online ordering options.
Compare prices between brand websites and stores carefully. Direct shipping costs can sometimes cancel out any savings on the product price itself. Don’t forget to factor in shipping!
Chicken cordon bleu is readily available at most major grocery stores in the frozen foods section. But for the best quality and flavor, consider a butcher shop, meat market, or purchasing directly from brands. Whatever option fits your budget and preferences, chicken cordon bleu makes for a memorable meal. Bon appetit!
Choose your own adventure: Crumbing
Next up is the breadcrumb. I’ve got 2 methods to choose from:
Method 1: Super Easy – Smear mayo and mustard on the chicken, then sprinkle over breadcrumbs. The mayo-mustard mixture acts as glue / flavouring and oil to help make the breadcrumb toasty gold; OR.
Method 2: Quick Dredge – Dunk chicken in egg flour mixture (combined in same bowl), then in breadcrumbs.
After coating the chicken with breadcrumbs, just give them a quick spray and voila! Ready for baking!
More crunchy crumbed chicken
Publix Chicken Cordon Bleu vs Barber Foods Cordon Bleu | But at Home
FAQ
Does Aldi’s carry chicken cordon bleu?
Kirkwood Cordon Bleu Stuffed Chicken Entree Same-Day Delivery or Pickup | ALDI.
What is another name for chicken cordon bleu?
In Italian this dish is called “involtini di pollo,” but the dish is apparently not native to Italy. According to Wikipedia, the recipe originated in Austria, and considering the fried breadcrumb coating of the chicken, Austria seems most probable as it birthplace.
Does Sam’s Club carry chicken cordon bleu?
Barber Foods Cordon Bleu Stuffed Chicken Breasts, Uncooked (36 oz., 6 ct.) – Sam’s Club.
Does Arby’s have a chicken cordon bleu?
Arby’s is bringing back the Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich. It has a breaded chicken breast patty with thinly sliced smoked ham, melted Swiss cheese, and mayonnaise on top. It is served on a buttery brioche bun.