Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu - tender chicken breasts, topped with ham, swiss cheese, healthier dijon creamy sauce and breadcrumbs.
My kids love Chicken Cordon Bleu, but sometimes when you are rushed for time the traditional method can be a bit of a faff and when you have a family to cook for, easy recipes are important.
That's where this easy Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe comes in, instead of having to roll or stuff the chicken with the ham, swiss cheese and sauce, I just layer it all in a oven-proof dish as a bake.
Calories in Chicken Cordon Bleu Bake
This recipe serves 4 and is 424 calories per serving.
If you're looking for more recipes by calories, you'll find plenty of options grouped by calorie range here: Slimming Eats Low Calorie Recipes
If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie needs using a reliable calorie calculator. The calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary depending on the exact ingredients and portion sizes you use. Using your own calculations helps ensure you're meeting your individual needs. A calorie calculator can help you make informed choices and stay on track with your goals.
See the recipe card for full nutritional estimation.
Ingredients Notes
To make this recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- Chicken breasts: Use skinless, boneless chicken breasts and try to choose evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.
- Salt and black pepper :Season the chicken well before baking to help build flavour throughout the dish.
- Lean ham: Adds that classic chicken cordon bleu flavour. Thinly sliced ham works best layered over the chicken.
- Swiss cheese: Swiss cheese melts beautifully and gives the bake its traditional flavour.
- Chicken stock: Forms the base of the creamy sauce and adds savoury depth. I like using chicken Better Than Bouillon stock paste. It adds savoury depth and keeps the sauce rich and full of flavour as the pasta cooks. Be sure to use the right ratio of stock cubes or paste to water for a balanced, tasty broth. Too little and it'll taste flat; too much and it can become overly salty.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a subtle tang and helps balance the richness of the cheese and cream sauce.
- Light cream cheese: Creates a creamy sauce without needing heavy cream. Let it soften slightly before adding so it melts more easily.
- Parmesan: Adds extra savoury flavour and helps give the topping a delicious golden finish.
- Golden breadcrumbs: Sprinkled over the top for a crispy finish. Golden breadcrumbs crisp up especially nicely in the oven.
- Olive oil spray: A light spray over the breadcrumbs helps them turn golden and crisp while baking.
- Fresh parsley: Adds freshness and colour when scattered over the finished bake before serving.
Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.
See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.
Variations and Substitutes
There are plenty of easy ways to adapt this chicken cordon bleu bake depending on what you have on hand.
- Swap the chicken breasts for chicken thighs if preferred, although cooking time may vary.
- Use turkey ham, smoked ham, or prosciutto instead of lean ham.
- Swiss cheese can be replaced with mozzarella, gruyere, cheddar, provolone, or light cheese slices.
- Add extra flavour with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or Italian herbs.
- Stir spinach or mushrooms into the sauce for extra vegetables.
- Panko breadcrumbs can be used instead of golden breadcrumbs for an extra crispy topping.
- For a lower-carb option, leave off the breadcrumbs entirely.
- Dijon mustard can be swapped for wholegrain mustard for a slightly different flavour.
Making Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu Bake
When making the bake I like to lightly brown the chicken first with some seasoning, this seals all the flavour itn the chicken and prevent too much juices from releasing a diluting the sauce.
Then just top with the ham of your choice, then goes on the cheese, then I pour in the sauce and brush it all over the top before adding the bread crumbs.
Simple right?
Sides Suggestions
This chicken cordon bleu bake pairs perfectly with simple steamed vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots seasoned with a little salt and black pepper. The lighter vegetables work really well with the creamy sauce and crispy topping.
You could also serve it with green beans, asparagus, a mixed salad, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or crispy baby potatoes or some of these Perfect Oven Baked Chips for a more filling meal.
More Chicken Breast Recipes
Looking for some more chicken recipes? Check out these:
- GOLDEN PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN
- QUINOA STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST WRAPPED IN PROSCIUTTO
- HUNTERS CHICKEN (CHICKEN NEW YORKER)
- HEALTHIER SLOW COOKER CRACK CHICKEN
- ASIAN SPRITE CHICKEN
- CREAMY HONEY MUSTARD CHICKEN
- TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA HASSELBACK CHICKEN
or head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious Slimming Eats and Weight Watchers friendly recipes all fully searchable by meal type, ingredients, value and smart points etc
Let's Connect!!
Come and follow me on:
You can also Subscribe to Slimming Eats so that you never miss any new updates.
Need some support on your weight loss journey? Maybe you need advice or tips on a recipe, or just general meal ideas.
Come join the friendly and supportive Slimming Eats Community on Facebook.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, Rate It and Tag us in your Photos @SLIMMINGEATS on INSTAGRAM
Recipe Card
Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu Oven Bake
Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu - tender chicken breasts, topped with ham, swiss cheese, healthier dijon creamy sauce and breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
- 4 uncooked skinless boneless chicken breasts (approx 180g/6oz per chicken breast)
- salt and black pepper
- 6 slices of lean ham
- 100g (3.5oz) of swiss cheese (4 slices at 25g/1oz each)
- 300ml (1.25 cups) of chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon of dijon mustard
- 100g (3.5oz) of light cream cheese (like Philadelphia)
- 20g (0.7oz) of parmesan
- 30g (1.1oz) of golden breadcrumbs
- olive oil spray
- fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200c/fan 180c/400g or gas mark 6
- Place the chicken breasts between parchment paper and use a rolling to bash/flatten.
- Season the chicken with salt and black pepper, then heat a frying pan over a medium high heat with spray oil. Add the chicken and fry for a few minutes each side until lightly golden.
- Transfer these to a baking dish in a single layer and top the chicken slices with the lean ham and then the slices of swiss cheese.
- In the pan that you browned the chicken, add the stock, cream cheese and dijon mustard, stir until the cream cheese melts and then stir in the parmesan, simmer until it thickens into a creamy sauce.
- Once thickened, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper if needed.
- Pour this over the chicken and ham and spread evenly with a spatula.
- Add the breadcrumbs to the top of each chicken breast and spray over the top with olive oil spray
- Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and topping is nice and golden. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Serve with your choice of sides and enjoy!!
Notes
Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:
- Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
- WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
Please do not copy or paste full recipes or post screenshots of any content from Slimming Eats to any social media or website, as it is strictly prohibited.
All images and content on Slimming Eats are copyright protected.
If you wish to share this recipe, then please do so by using the share buttons provided at top of this post.
Nutritional information etc are an estimate and are to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary in values from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate values yourself by the ingredients you use and the tools provided to you as a member of the programme you are following.
It is the responsibility of the Reader to assure the products or ingredients they use in any recipes from Slimming Eats are allergen-free (gluten-free, egg-free, soy-free and/or dairy-free, for example). Slimming Eats assumes no liability for inaccuracies or misstatement about products, opinions or comments on this site.
Check Legal section, for Full Disclaimer, Disclosure and Privacy Policy.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1 SERVINGAmount Per Serving Calories 424Total Fat 17gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 44.7mgSodium 921mgCarbohydrates 10gFiber 0.4gSugar 1.8gProtein 57g
Nutritional information, values, points etc are an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate by the ingredients you use.
Joanne Martin says
Hi,
We loved this dish, it was SO tasty.
I actually used the sauce to pour over pork medallions too, It tasted yum!
Stacey Clark says
This was AMAZING! I used shredded Cheddar as I knew my kid wouldn't eat Swiss. So delicious! This is ultomate comfort food.
Tania says
I was wondering if this would work with chicken thighs ? As this is what I have in the fridge to use up.
Sarah says
Really tasty recipe! Did not feel like a 'healthy' dish which makes it even better. Would totally recommend
Laura M says
I was looking for a better, easier version of chicken cordon bleu and this was perfect. Thank you for sharing. It was delicious!
Rita Colville says
I made this recipe for the second time yesterday it was lovely. My daughter and her husband really liked it too.
This will become a favourite recipe.
Lynne says
Love this recipe it always goes down like a treat and feels bad for you!! I've added Mushrooms too to the sauce.
Would highly recommend x
Lynn says
Great recipe, simple and quick to make. Will definitely make again. Thank you