Chicken cordon bleu is believed to have originated in France or Switzerland, although its exact origin is not entirely clear. The traditional recipe includes chicken wrapped in a thin slice of ham and cheese, usually Swiss or Gruyère, breaded and then either baked or fried to a golden brown color. Additionally, a cream sauce flavored with Dijon mustard is often added to the dish.
Chicken cordon bleu is a classic dish that has evolved over time, resulting in many variations. It is often served at formal events and is associated with high-quality food. The term “cordon bleu” means “blue ribbon” in French and is linked to prestigious chefs. If you plan to serve chicken cordon bleu for dinner, we suggest pairing it with some of these healthy and easy-to-prepare side dishes.
Asparagus with Lemon Butter Sauce
This incredibly easy recipe is full of flavor and remarkably nutritious. You can also add your own variations to this basic recipe, such as garlic. If you prefer a creamier asparagus sauce, gradually add more butter.
Easy Spinach Salad With Pears
This spinach salad combines baby spinach, pecans, gorgonzola cheese, and pomegranate for a sweet and savory flavor. Not only does it pair perfectly with chicken cordon bleu, but it can also be made quickly.
Green Beans and Bacon
This recipe for green beans and bacon is perfect as a side dish for chicken cordon bleu or for a holiday dinner. It is a simple recipe that packs both a nutritional and flavor punch. Moreover, if you are concerned about the fat content of this dish, you can substitute regular bacon with turkey bacon.
Garlic Butter Parmesan Baked Butternut Squash
Thinly sliced butternut squash is roasted with garlic butter, sage, and Parmesan cheese in the oven. Finally, add a squeeze of lemon juice to give it a tangy flavor. If you do not eat all of it, store the leftovers in an airtight sealed container, and it will stay fresh for up to two days.
Healthy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Our healthy garlic mashed potato recipe is super-easy and makes about four servings. Although mashed potatoes are higher in calories than some of the other sides mentioned here, they also offer a number of health benefits, including Vitamin C and potassium.
Honey Butter Roasted Carrots
This oven-roasted carrot recipe is a perfect side dish for chicken cordon bleu. To prepare it, roast the carrots at high heat until they turn brown and caramelize. Then, coat them with honey butter and sprinkle some thyme on top. The glaze will make the carrots sweet and tender. For best results, cut the carrots in half and place them flat-side down to ensure even browning.
Oven Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are delicious when baked. Unlike boiling, baking them eliminates their unpleasant sulfur odor. To bake Brussels sprouts, preheat the oven to 425 degrees, arrange the sprouts on a baking sheet, and bake for about twenty minutes or until they reach your desired level of crispiness and golden brown color. The creamy and sweet taste of baked Brussels sprouts perfectly complements chicken cordon bleu.
Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes
This side dish is both quick and easy to make, and requires simple seasonings. However, taking a little extra time to peel and cut the sweet potatoes will make it even better. For a consistent bake, we recommend cutting the potatoes about ¾-inches thick. Peeling the potatoes will also help them caramelize, giving them a golden outside crust and creamy insides.
Parmesan Risotto
Parmesan risotto is an incredibly versatile dish, so it is no surprise that it pairs well with chicken cordon bleu. Our recipe takes the stress out of making risotto, allowing you to whip up this delicious dish quickly and easily to please your family and guests.
Roasted Sugar Snap Peas
Sugar snap peas make for a wonderfully healthy and easy side dish to accompany chicken cordon bleu. This recipe provides the perfect combination of crunchiness and tanginess. If you are short on time but still want to impress, this dish is a simple yet elegant way to elevate your meal without much effort.
Scalloped Potatoes
Martha Stewart's recipe for scalloped potatoes is a great side dish that goes well with chicken cordon bleu. The freshly grated Gruyère cheese adds a delicious flavor to the potatoes. For the best results, weigh your potatoes and use a shallow baking dish.
Tomato Avocado Salad
Prepare this salad with fresh ingredients, including tomato, avocado, red onion, cilantro, olive oil, garlic, lime, salt, and pepper, in just five minutes. Not only is it quick to prepare, but it is also delicious and healthy.
In Summary
Whether you are planning to serve chicken cordon bleu to your family, friends, or guests, consider pairing it with any of these side dishes. They are not only nutritious but also easy to prepare. Whether you are cooking for a family dinner, a special occasion, or a formal dinner party, any of these side dishes will be a perfect match for this classic chicken dish.
Recipe Card
PrintEasy Chicken Cordon Bleu
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup dry bread crumbs
- 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – pounded to 1/4 inch thickness
- salt and pepper to taste
- 6 slices cooked ham
- 6 slices Swiss cheese
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place milk and bread crumbs in two separate shallow bowls.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place one slice of ham and one slice of cheese on each piece of chicken; roll, and secure with toothpicks.
- Dip each chicken roll into milk, and then into breadcrumbs.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown rolled chicken on all sides.
- Arrange the chicken in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, blend soup and cream; season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour over the chicken. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.
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