Learn the secret on how to make these delicious Chicken Cordon Bleu. Fried to perfection with crispy outer breading and juicy chicken inside! 
Chicken Cordon Bleu is one of Armin's most favorite dish. This is actually what he ordered when he planned a surprise dinner at the beach on our last night of honeymoon trip to Camiguin. It was quite romantic, really! So I only have really good memories associated with this classic dish.
Since I know that Armin loves Chicken Cordon Bleu, it makes sense that I would like to know how to make it. The easier version that I usually make is the flat, unbreaded one. I do it by cutting a chicken breast fillet in the middle but leaving them attached on one side, then insert the ham and cheese in between and close them using toothpicks. It's not glamorous at all but it makes do for a quick and easy meal.
But the rolled one was always a mystery to me. I tried it several times and it does not look like the one I know. The breading turns soggy and the cheese oozes out! I didn't know what I was doing wrong. So I used my lifeline and called my mama and she told me the secret to a perfect Chicken Cordon Bleu.
The secret to a perfectly fried Chicken Cordon Bleu is to chill it overnight or at least for some hours before frying. This is done with the help of a plastic or aluminum foil wrap. Although, I would recommend using the plastic wrap over the aluminum because you can pack it really tight without breaking. I actually use the plastic wrap twice, first to form the chicken roll without the breading so that it has a nice, smooth, rounded shape before I cover it completely with the breading and then again after it is covered with breadcrumbs to chill. I forgot to take a photo to include it on the illustration above but this is really an important part!
Printable Recipe
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breast fillet
- 4 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice or calamansi juice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 big or 4-6 small slices cheese
- 4 big or 6-8 slices cooked ham
- 2 eggs - beaten
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- oil - for deep frying
Instructions
- Combine fish sauce, ground pepper, lemon or calamansi juice and kosher salt in a small bowl.
- Pound chicken breasts to ½ inch thickness. Marinade the chicken with the fish sauce mixture for at least an hour. Remove excess liquid by squeezing gently.
- Place the flour, egg, and breadcrumbs in three separate deep plates. Add a teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of ground pepper to the breadcrumbs and mix well.
- Place two plastic wrap on a flat surface and lay a chicken breast fillet on top of each wrapper. Top each half with ham and cheese. Roll up each breast fillet jelly-roll fashion by pushing the plastic wrap underneath from one side to the other like sushi. Try to make it as compact as possible.
- Remove plastic and roll each in flour covering the chicken completely. Then dip each roll in egg and lastly dredge in breadcrumb mixture, completely covering the chicken and the ends filled. Cover each roll tightly with a plastic or foil wrap. Place the rolls in the fridge overnight.
- In a deep pan or pot over medium heat, heat enough oil to deep fry the chicken. Deep fry the rolls until cooked.
- Remove from oil and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Cut into slices and serve.
Vangie says
This recipe is a winner for the family. Always requested every 2 weeks. It’s just a lot of procedure but it’s worth it. Love it! Found a sauce recipe for this and it’s so good.
Bebs says
Wow, every 2 weeks, and yes. this requires a bit of time and effort, so it is a labor of love for sure. I would suggest to make a bigger batch (maybe double what you usually make) and then freeze the half. You can just defrost and fry on the day you serve it.
mia says
Hi Bebs. I am enjoying your site. I already did your ensaymada and they were so good.
For this cordon bleu, I was always eating this with a gravy back in the Phils. I tried some recipes online but they were not the one Im looking for. It was like bechamel sauce but it is not. I wonder if you know one.
Thanks!
Bebs says
Hi Mia, make a bechamel sauce from scratch and add some grated cheeese to it, normally I also add some chicken broth cube for flavors.
Marian says
Hello Bebs! How do yo make the sauce? Thanks!
Bebs says
It is a simple béchamel sauce. Melt 2-3 tbsp of butter in a pan then add 2 tbsp of flour and mix. Pour in about 1 cup of milk and stir until it thickens. Season with salt and pepper or if you like add a chicken broth cube.
Joy says
Hi! What cheese did you use?
Bebs says
Hi Joy, I did this when we were still in Germany and I used gouda.
Maria says
Thank you so much for posting your recipes. I have tried your tocino and longanisa recipes. I've been waiting for your tapa recipe. Now it's here. I can't wait to try this.
Bebs says
I hope you like it, Maria!