Indulging in a classic dish like chicken cordon bleu is always a treat for the taste buds. The tender chicken breast, stuffed with savory ham and oozing with melted Swiss cheese, has been a favorite on dining tables for generations. But what if we told you there’s a secret ingredient that can take this culinary masterpiece to an entirely new level of gastronomic bliss? Enter the chicken cordon bleu sauce.
Prepare to embark on a culinary journey as we explore the ingredients, techniques, and tips needed to create a sauce that will transform your cordon bleu into an unforgettable dining experience. Get ready to impress your loved ones and your taste buds! Let’s discover the art of mastering chicken cordon bleu sauce together!
Why I Love This Recipe
From the time I was young, I’ve loved chicken cordon bleu. Any restaurant that served it on their menu was an instant win for me. (That and a good fish and chips!) There was nothing better than cutting into the breaded chicken breast and having the oozy Swiss cheese seep out onto my plate. It was kind of like an adult version of a chicken tender 🙂
As I’ve grown up, and my palette has matured, I’ve really come to understand and appreciate why chicken cordon bleu is traditionally served with a creamy mustard sauce. The balance the chicken cordon bleu sauce provides is amazing. I can’t eat it any other way now as an adult! In fact, my favorite Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole also includes a mustard base sauce over the top!
What is Chicken Cordon Bleu Sauce
Chicken cordon bleu sauce is the traditional creamy topping that comes from the classic French dish. It is a blend of flavors and textures and serves as the perfect companion to this beloved dish. The fresh Parmesan cheese adds a natural saltiness that is balanced out by the Dijon mustard, which adds interest to your palette. There are some recipes that leave out the mustard, but the traditional French recipe has either dijon or spicy brown mustard in it.
Cordon Bleu Sauce Ingredients & Tools
Salted butter
All-purpose flour
Whole or 2% milk
Dijon or spicy brown mustard
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Large, shallow skillet
How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Sauce
If you have just a few minutes and basic ingredients, you can make this classic sauce at home!
How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Sauce
Create a roux in a shallow skillet
Combining the melted salted butter and flour, then allowing it to cook for a few minutes is how you create a roux. That cooked fat and flour mixture is what thickens the cordon bleu sauce. Be sure to cook it after the butter and flour come together to eliminate the “starchy” flavor and to ensure a smooth texture of the finished sauce.
Add the milk and allow the sauce to thicken
The most important part of this step is to whisk continually. Both when you add the milk to the roux, as well as when the sauce cooks and thickens. Doing so will keep the sauce from being lumpy.
At the end, add the mustard, cheese, and seasonings
Once the flavorings have been added to the sauce, there is no need to continue to cook it. It is ready to go over the top of your chicken cordon bleu.
Recipe FAQs
What is cordon bleu sauce made of?
A classic chicken cordon bleu sauce is made with a roux of butter and flour that is cooked until it begins to brown a bit. Then you add some whole milk, dijon mustard, Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and black pepper. There are other variations of the sauce but this is the most traditional version.
How do you serve cordon bleu?
How you serve chicken cordon bleu is completely up to you. You can certainly serve it as whole breasts, with the sauce on the side, and allow your guests to cut into it. This allows them to experience the oozy Swiss cheese for themselves! Or, once it has rested after being baked you can cut it into 1/2-inch slices and drizzle the sauce over the top. This presentation method allows your guests to see the beautiful insides of the cordon bleu from the start.
Can I make chicken cordon bleu sauce without the mustard?
While the classic chicken cordon bleu sauce always uses mustard as the base of the recipe, I know it isn’t everyone’s favorite flavor. So yes, you can leave out the mustard completely from the sauce. However, you will need to compensate with additional fresh Parmesan cheese and two teaspoons of red or white wine vinegar so the sauce isn’t too bland. Because mustard is made with vinegar, you will want to add some vinegar so the sauce is bright and flavorful even without the mustard. If you like some heat in your sauce, you can substitute the vinegar with your favorite hot sauce, such as Tabasco, Frank’s Red Hot, or Texas Pete.
How to store and reheat chicken cordon bleu sauce
To store any leftover chicken cordon bleu sauce, simply place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When it comes time to reheat it, you can do so in the microwave or stovetop. You might need to add a few dashes of milk to thin it back out once it is warmed.
Can I make this sauce healthier by using skim milk?
Yes, you can use skim milk to save a bit of calories and fat in this recipe but your end result will be a bit different. The sauce will be thinner and not quite as flavorful as if you used 2% or whole milk. If you do use skim milk, try adding a bit more freshly grated Parmesan cheese to help compensate for non-fat milk.
What to do with your leftover or extra Dijon cream sauce?
It is often hard to make just the right amount of sauce to go with your dinner and because I never want to run out I tend to make a little extra. In the case of this creamy sauce seasoned with mustard and parmesan cheese it is always good to have some leftover because it keeps in the fridge and is very versatile. My top 3 favorite things to make with the leftover sauce are:
Grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches – then heat some of the extra cordon bleu sauce and use it as a dip for the grilled cheese sandwiches.
Parmesan Chicken Bake – I substitute some of the mayonnaise with the leftover dijon sauce. You can substitute up to 1/2 cup of the mayo or Greek yogurt.
Simply grilled or baked salmon – if you warm up some leftover sauce and drizzle it on top of the cooked salmon right before serving. It is simply divine. The sauce pairs so beautifully with salmon and you will be amazed how fancy it will make your simple roasted salmon.
What to Serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu and Sauce
No matter if you are making my easy chicken cordon bleu, or my cordon bleu casserole, any of these side dishes will pair well with them. They are fresh and light, which balances well with the rich and creamy cordon bleu.
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium high heat. Sprinkle in the flour while whisking to create a paste. Cook for 1 minute until the mixture begins to brown.
While whisking, add the milk and allow the sauce to thicken.
Add the mustard, Parmesan, kosher salt, and pepper.
Notes
You can leave out the mustard but the sauce but try increasing the amount of Parmesan to compensate for the lack of flavor.
Carole Jones is an Arizona-based cookbook author & food blogger. She's authored The 30 Minute Cooking From Frozen Cookbook and the self-published Take 5: Chicken e-cookbook. For the past 15 years, Carole has shared her culinary adventures cooking and baking for her six brutally honest children here on My Kitchen Escapades. Hot, crusty bread is Carole's love language, but her two adorable grandchildren are a close second. Yes, second. Don't judge.
2 comments
Marla Jeffery
2 years ago
If it is a Swiss cheese sauce why are you using parmesan?
anthony
2 years ago
Hi Marla, sorry for any confusion. The sauce is parmesan based, but the chicken cordon bleu is filled with Swiss cheese. So you get a combination of Swiss inside the chicken and then parmesan in the sauce on top.
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2 comments
If it is a Swiss cheese sauce why are you using parmesan?
Hi Marla, sorry for any confusion. The sauce is parmesan based, but the chicken cordon bleu is filled with Swiss cheese. So you get a combination of Swiss inside the chicken and then parmesan in the sauce on top.