Delight in every bite of our Healthy Chicken Cordon Bleu – tender chicken, rich cheese, and savory ham, all in a guilt-free package. A nutritious, tasty twist on a beloved classic!
Finding new and delicious ways to cook chicken breasts has always been a quest of mine. My family loves white meat chicken; it’s a staple at our house, and we enjoy healthy chicken recipes.
Since we love the taste of chicken cordon bleu with ham and Swiss cheese, I decided to experiment with making a healthy chicken cordon bleu recipe. I wanted to make a no fry recipe. I experimented with different marinades, and voilà, I created this recipe for baked, healthy, gluten-free chicken cordon bleu with no breading.
It’s easy to make and goes well with roasted vegetables. I know you’ll enjoy this healthy, low-carb chicken cordon bleu recipe. For another great French recipe, learn how to make Chicken Florentine!
Table of Contents
Reasons to Love This Healthy Chicken
- The Healthy Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe perfectly balances savory ham, melty cheese, and juicy chicken, satisfying cravings without the extra calories.
- It’s perfect for meal prepping, staying fresh and delicious for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.
- This recipe is straightforward and quick, perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests with minimal effort.
Recipe Ingredients
- Ham: A thin slice of ham, with a savory and slightly salty taste, adds a rich, savory contrast to the chicken.
- Gluten-Free Dijon Mustard Sauce: Tangy with a hint of spice and a smooth, creamy texture.
- Grated Swiss Cheese: Nutty and slightly sweet taste with a smooth, melty texture.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- Cheesy Options: Swap the Swiss cheese with mozzarella for a milder, creamier melt that will keep the mixture light. Alternatively, add Parmesan cheese for a rich, savory kick.
How to Make Healthy Chicken Cordon Bleu
Step #1: Whisk the olive oil, mustard, and honey together to make the marinade.
Step #2: Rinse the boneless skinless chicken breasts with water and place them in a bowl.
Step #3: Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure to coat each breast completely. Let it sit for 2 or more hours, or overnight, in the refrigerator.
Step #4: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step #5: Place the marinated chicken breasts in a baking pan, and bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
Step #6: While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the mustard and honey drizzle. Set aside for now.
Step #7: Remove the dish from the oven, and drain the liquid from the dish. You can siphon it out with a turkey baster or take the chicken out of the dish, pour off the excess liquid, and return the chicken to the baking dish.
Step #8: Brush a small amount of the drizzle over each chicken breast.
Step #9: Arrange the shaved ham over each individual chicken breast, using ¼ of the ham on each chicken breast.
Step #10: Return the dish to the oven to bake for 7 more minutes.
Step #11: Remove the dish from the oven, and sprinkle ¼ cup of the grated Swiss cheese over each chicken breast topped with ham.
Step #12: Return the dish to the oven and bake for 2-3 more minutes, just to melt the cheese.
Step #13: Remove the dish from the oven, and place the chicken on a serving platter or directly on your plate.
Step #14: Pour in a zig-zag motion ¼ of the remaining drizzle over each plated chicken breast, and eat! Bon Appétit!
Expert Tips
- Ensure Even Cooking: Cover the chicken breasts with plastic wrap, then pound them to an even thickness with a meat mallet before marinating. This technique ensures uniform cooking and allows flavors to penetrate more effectively.
- Achieving Juicy Chicken: Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, avoid overbaking, and let it rest after cooking to retain juiciness. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) without overcooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Draining the excess liquid prevents the chicken from becoming soggy and ensures a crispier finish. It also allows the flavors to concentrate and intensify during the final baking stages.
Roasted vegetables works well with this dish. You can roast carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, onion, spinach, broccoli, green beans, potato or asparagus.
Storage Info
To store Healthy Chicken Cordon Bleu, place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked chicken for up to 2 months.
To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat in the microwave.
More Chicken and Ham Recipes That You’ll Love
Healthy Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 Thin-sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 6 oz shaved ham
- 1 cup grated Swiss cheese
Marinade:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp gluten free Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
Drizzle:
- 2 tbsp gluten free Dijon mustard
- 3 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Whisk the olive oil, mustard, and honey together to make the marinade.
- Rinse the chicken breasts with water and place them in a bowl.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure to coat each breast completely. Let it sit for 2 or more hours, or overnight, in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the marinated chicken breasts in a baking dish, and bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
- While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the mustard and honey drizzle. Set aside for now.
- Remove the dish from the oven, and drain the liquid from the dish. You can siphon it out with a turkey baster or take the chicken out of the dish, pour off the excess liquid, and return the chicken to the baking dish.
- Brush a small amount of the drizzle over each chicken breast.
- Arrange the shaved ham over each individual chicken breast, using ¼ of the ham on each chicken breast.
- Return the dish to the oven to bake for 7 more minutes.
- Remove the dish from the oven, and sprinkle ¼ cup of the grated Swiss cheese over each chicken breast topped with ham.
- Return the dish to the oven and bake for 2-3 more minutes, just to melt the cheese.
- Remove the dish from the oven, and place the chicken on a serving platter or directly on your plate.
- Pour in a zig-zag motion ¼ of the remaining drizzle over each plated chicken breast, and eat! Bon Appétit!
NOTES
Nutrition
This recipe is so easy and tasty.
When I was a kid in the early 70s I remember watching the Galloping Gourmet making chicken cordon bleu on his tv show. My mother made the recipe, I remember not being crazy about the gruyere cheese.
This recipe is a great twist….