If you love chicken cordon bleu but don’t love all the steps it takes to make it, this no fuss, easy version is for you. No breading. No rolling. No toothpicks.
Just tender chicken, salty ham, melty Swiss cheese, and a simple Dijon sauce, all made in one pan. It’s the kind of dinner that feels a little special but is still totally doable on a busy weeknight.
I grew up eating chicken cordon bleu, but to be honest, it wasn’t the fancy kind. It was the kind delivered by the Schwan’s man (and yes, I think his name was Dave).
You know the ones—those little breaded chicken pockets stuffed with ham and cheese.
We loved them.
And while those were good, this version is even better. Same classic flavors, but made fresh at home with simple ingredients and way less fuss.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- No breading means less mess, fewer dishes, and quicker prep. There’s no complicated rolling or stuffing.
- Made in one skillet (why does it always come back to the dishes?) 🫣
- You get the same classic cordon bleu flavors (ham + Swiss + Dijon) in a weeknight-friendly and family-approved recipe.
If you love one pan skillet meals, try my skillet lasagna recipe.
Ingredients
As I always try to do, this recipe is made with simple ingredients!
- olive oil
- boneless chicken breasts - if thick slice in half horizontally
- salt and pepper
- ham - you can use black forest ham, leftover ham or whatever kind you like from the deli
- Swiss cheese slices
- chicken broth
- Dijon mustard
- butter
How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu (Skillet Version)
The full recipe card is below, but here’s a quick overview:
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- Step 1: Season and sear the chicken in a hot skillet until cooked through.
- Step 2: Top each piece with ham and Swiss cheese, then cover and let the cheese melt until perfectly gooey.
Remove from pan.
- Step 3: Remove the chicken and make a quick pan sauce with chicken broth, Dijon mustard, and butter, scraping up all those flavorful bits from the pan.
- Step 4: Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve warm.
Top Tips
- Use thin chicken breasts or slice larger ones in half for even cooking
- Don’t skip scraping the brown bites from the bottom of the pan—that’s where the flavor is!
- Swiss melts best, but provolone works if needed
- This is best served right away while the cheese is melty and drippy
🥄 About the Dijon Sauce
The simple Dijon sauce really brings everything together.
It’s lightly tangy, a little creamy, and balances the richness of the ham and cheese perfectly. Don’t skip it—it’s what makes this dish feel like more than just chicken with toppings.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container
What to Serve With Chicken Cordon Bleu
Keep it simple with:
- Side salad
- Green beans
- Roasted broccoli or a steamer bag of broccoli works, too
- Cauliflower mash
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently.
Easy chicken dinners
Looking for more easy chicken dinners? Start here:
Recipe
Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 Tablespoon olive oil to heated pan.
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Add 1 pound chicken breasts to the pan, browning on both sides until cooked through to a temperature of 165°F.
- Once the chicken is cooked, reduce heat to low. Top chicken breasts each with a slice of ham and a slice of Swiss cheese.Cover the pan with the lid and continue warm until cheese is melted. Remove the chicken from pan and set aside to keep warm.
- Over medium high heat, add the ½ cup chicken broth to the pan, scraping up any little browned bits. Cook until the broth is reduced by half, about 1-2 minutes, then add 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard and 1 Tablespoon butter, stirring until combined. (Note: it may not be perfectly smooth because of those brown bites - that's okay!)
- Drizzle the creamy Dijon sauce over the chicken and serve immediately.
Farm Girl Tips
- Use thin chicken breasts or slice larger ones in half horizontally so they cook evenly and quickly
- Deli ham works best here - the thin slices lay nicely over the chicken and heat through quickly
- Swiss cheese melts best, but provolone or mozzarella can be used if needed
- Don’t skip scraping the pan when making the sauce. That’s where the flavor comes from!
- The sauce comes together quickly, so have your ingredients ready before starting
- Best served right away while the cheese is melted and the sauce is warm
Joyce Reiland says
This easy and delicious. No stuffing or rolling. It came together in less than half an hour. Sauce took it up a notch.
Deanne Frieders says
Hi Joyce, thanks for hopping on to report back - glad you liked this easy recipe!
Alison says
Great flavor combinations! Makes for a hearty dinner!
Ellen says
We love chicken cordon bleu and adding a Dijon sauce sounds divine! I can't wait to try your recipe!
Toni says
I'm glad my family loved it! Can't wait to make it again!
Sisley White says
This looks absolutely incredible. What a delicious dish to make at home.
Marie-Charlotte Chatelain says
That sauce is such a great idea! I always find Chicken Cordon Bleu way too dry! Delish!
Alison says
Great flavor combinations! Makes for a hearty dinner!
Toni says
I'm glad my family loved it! Can't wait to make it again!
Sisley White says
This looks absolutely incredible. What a delicious dish to make at home.
Marie-Charlotte Chatelain says
That sauce is such a great idea! I always find Chicken Cordon Bleu way too dry! Delish!