Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Delicious air fryer chicken cordon bleu recipe - crispy outside, tender and cheesy inside! This easy version brings all the goodness of the classic recipe without the extra oil. 

Preparing air fryer chicken cordon bleu at home is a breeze. Simply layer chicken breast with ham and cheese, pop it into the air fryer, and let the magic happen! In no time, you'll have a delicious meal that's sure to impress your family and friends.

Check out more yummy recipes for stuffed or wrapped chicken: Chicken Cordon Bleu Schnitzel, Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs, Spinach Stuffed Chicken, Stuffed Whole Chicken, Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken, or Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Breasts.

Why should you make this recipe?

• Save time: This air fryer chicken cordon bleu recipe is quick and easy to prepare, an easy dinner for busy weeknights. 
• Healthier choice: With the air fryer, you can enjoy the same crispy and cheesy goodness without the need for excessive oil. 
• Family favorite: Impress your family and friends with this classic dish made from scratch. It's a crowd-pleaser that will leave everybody happy and satisfied.
• Budget-friendly: Making this chicken cordon bleu at home is more affordable than a restaurant meal, an inexpensive fancy meal for the entire family.

Recipe ingredients

• Chicken breast: Two large pieces of boneless skinless chicken breasts. You will cut each one into two thin cutlets and pound them, thus having enough meat for four portions.  
• Cooked deli ham slices, large and thin. Prosciutto cotto, Black Forest ham, and Virginia ham are also delicious. 
• Cheese: The classic choice is Swiss cheese or Gruyère, but we also love to use Cheddar. You will need one slice for each breast. 
• All-purpose flour to coat the stuffed rolls before dipping them into the egg mixture. It helps the egg mixture adhere better to the meat.
• Eggs to help the breadcrumbs stick to the meat.
• Breadcrumbs to coat the chicken cordon bleu.
• Spices: Lemon zest, nutmeg, fine sea salt or kosher salt, and ground black pepper. 
• Oil spray to spray the parcels before air frying them. 

How to cook air fryer cordon bleu?

• Slice chicken: Steady the chicken breast with one hand, take a sharp knife in the other hand, and carefully slice horizontally through the middle of the breast. Maintain the knife parallel to the cutting board and proceed slowly to ensure two even slices (1). 
• Pound: Place the meat between two pieces of plastic foil and pound it lightly with a meat mallet or a rolling pin to ensure even thickness (2).
• Season the sliced pieces with salt and pepper on both sides.

• Stuff: Arrange a slice of ham on each piece of meat (cut the ham in half if large and use two pieces if they are small).
  • Break the cheese into 2 or 3 pieces and arrange them on top. To prevent cheese from leaking out during air frying, make sure to keep it away from the edges of the chicken (3).
• Fold one side of the cordon bleu over the other to make a pocket. Try your best to tuck in the ends and secure them with toothpicks. Although you may do it carefully, sometimes some cheese might still melt out, but that’s ok (3).
• Breading station: Mix flour, lemon zest, and nutmeg in one bowl, whisk the eggs in another bowl, and place the breadcrumbs in a third bowl. 
• Coat the parcels in flour and shake it carefully to remove the excess. Dip into the eggs and coat with breadcrumbs, pressing slightly to help them adhere to the meat (4). 
• Spray the breaded chicken with cooking spray on both sides. 

• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F/ 190°C for 3 minutes or per manufacturer's instructions.
• Air fry the chicken cordon bleu for 18 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown; the internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C (5,6). 
• Use a spatula to take the pieces out of the air fryer basket carefully. Be cautious not to damage the breading on the bottom side of the parcels.
• Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Expert Tips

• Toothpicks: Four toothpicks per piece of chicken work well. To make things easier, grab a handful of toothpicks from the container before you begin, so you won't have to touch the container or the other toothpicks with dirty raw chicken hands. This keeps your cooking process smooth and hygienic.
  • Remember to let people know about the toothpicks and remind them to remove them before eating to stay safe.
• Prevent Soggy Crust: Let the chicken rest on a cooling rack instead of a solid surface after air frying. This keeps the crust crispy by avoiding steam buildup at the bottom.

Recipe FAQ

How to store and reheat?

Storage Instructions

• Cool the leftover chicken cordon bleu to room temperature before placing it in an airtight container. Store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. 

Freezing instructions

• To freeze the uncooked chicken cordon bleu, individually wrap each piece tightly in a piece of plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in a freezer-safe container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• To cook from frozen, air fry or bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 25-30 minutes until fully cooked and crispy.
• Freeze the air-fried chicken cordon bleu. Once completely cool, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place them in a freezer-safe container or airtight freezer bags and freeze them for up to 3 months.
• Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and reheat in the air fryer or oven.

Reheating Instructions

• Air fryer: Reheat the air fryer chicken cordon bleu in the preheated air fryer for approximately 5-7 minutes or until it's heated through and regains its crispy texture. 
• Oven: Lay the pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and reheat in the preheated oven (375°F/ 190°C) for 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is warmed through and its crust becomes crispy again. 

What to serve with air fryer chicken cordon bleu?

• Other favorite sides: Chimichurri Rice, Curried Couscous Salad, Smashed Potatoes, Fried Potatoes and Onions.
• Vegetable side dishes: German Coleslaw, Baked Frozen Cauliflower, Sauteed Asparagus, French-Style Green Beans.

More air fryer chicken recipes

Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Try our mouthwatering air fryer chicken cordon bleu - crispy outside, tender and cheesy inside! This easy recipe captures all the classic flavors without the extra oil.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Main Course, Poultry

Cuisine: American, French

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 469kcal

Author: Adina

Equipment

• ▢
  Air fryer
• ▢
  Meat mallet
• ▢
  Toothpicks a minimum of 16, Note 1

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients 

• ▢ 2 large chicken breasts Note 2
• ▢ 4 slices cooked deli ham thinly sliced, Note 3
• ▢ 4 slices cheese Note 4
• ▢ 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ▢ zest of ½ lemon
• ▢ a few gratings nutmeg
• ▢ 2 eggs
• ▢ 1 cup dried breadcrumbs or Panko breadcrumbs, 100 g/ 3.5 oz, more if necessary
• ▢ cooking spray
• ▢ fine sea salt or kosher salt
• ▢ ground black pepper

Instructions

Slice chicken:

• Slice: Steady the chicken breast with one hand and carefully slice horizontally through the middle of the breast, maintaining the knife parallel to the cutting board and proceeding slowly to ensure two even slices.

  2 large chicken breasts
• Lightly pound the chicken slices between two pieces of plastic foil to ensure even thickness.
• Season sliced pieces with salt and pepper on both sides.

Prepare cordon bleu:

• Stuff chicken: Arrange the ham on the sliced chicken breasts. Break the cheese into 2 or 3 pieces and arrange them on top. To prevent cheese from leaking out during cooking, make sure to keep it away from the edges of the chicken.

  4-8 ham slices + 4 cheese slices
• Fold one side of the cordon bleu over the other to make a pocket. Tuck in the ends and secure them with toothpicks.

Bread the chicken:

• Breading station: Mix flour, lemon zest, and nutmeg in one bowl, whisk the eggs in another bowl, and place the breadcrumbs in a third bowl.

  2 tablespoon flour + zest ½ lemon + nutmeg; 2 eggs; 1 cup/100 g breadcrumbs
• Bread cordon bleu: Coat the chicken in flour and shake it carefully to remove the excess. Dip into the eggs and coat with breadcrumbs, pressing slightly to help them adhere to the meat.
• Spray the chicken with cooking spray on both sides.

Air fry cordon bleu:

• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F/ 190°C for 3 minutes or per the manufacturer's instructions.
• Air fry the chicken cordon bleu for 18 minutes or until cooked through; the internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C.
• Rest: Use a spatula to take the pieces out of the air fryer carefully. Be cautious not to damage the breading on the bottom side of the parcels. Rest for 5 minutes on a cooling rack before serving.

Notes

1. Toothpicks: Four toothpicks per piece of chicken work well. To make things easier, grab a handful of toothpicks from the container before you begin, so you won't have to touch the container or the other toothpicks with dirty raw chicken hands. This keeps your cooking process smooth and hygienic.
2. Chicken breast: You will cut them in half and pound them, thus having enough meat for four portions.
3. Ham: Either 4 large slices or 8 smaller ones. Prosciutto cotto, Black Forest ham, and Virginia ham are delicious alternatives.
4. Cheese: I used Cheddar, but Swiss cheese, Gruyere, and Emmentaler are also great.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cordon bleu | Calories: 469kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 200mg | Sodium: 879mg | Potassium: 626mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 436IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 272mg | Iron: 3mg

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