Smoked Chicken Cordon Bleu
On June 24, 2024
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My Smoked Chicken Cordon Bleu is juicy chicken breasts stuffed with ham and Swiss cheese, then smoked to perfection and topped with a tangy Dijon cream sauce.
Smoked Chicken Cordon Bleu
The only thing better than biting into a perfectly smoked chicken breast is discovering melty Swiss cheese and savory sliced ham hidden inside. My Smoked Chicken Cordon Bleu takes this classic dish to new heights by infusing it with light smoky notes that perfectly complement the rich, creamy flavors. The crispy panko coating gives each bite a satisfying crunch, while the homemade Dijon cream sauce provides a zesty finish that will ensure your family leaves no leftovers behind.
So fire up the smoker and get ready to make this “blue ribbon” dish right in your own backyard with my easy recipe.
What is cordon bleu?
Chicken cordon bleu is a French-inspired dish of chicken, typically flattened out, and then stuffed with ham and cheese. The name “cordon bleu” translates to “blue ribbon“, and what that means is your guests are in for a high quality meal. What sets my recipe apart from the traditional chicken cordon bleu is the smoking process. By cooking your chicken in the smoker, you’ll add a layer of smoky flavor your family will be raving about for years to come.
Ingredients for Chicken Cordon Bleu
Now that you know a little more about chicken cordon bleu, let’s go over what’s required to make it. This recipe calls for simple, readily available ingredients that combine to create an impressive dish. Here’s everything you’ll need:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 8 slices thick cut deli ham
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
If you want a crispy exterior for your chicken, then my panko crust made from a combination of wet and dry dredges is the ticket. Here’s what you need for them:
Wet Dredge
- 2 eggs
- 2 Tablespoons whole milk
Dry Dredge
- 2 cups panko seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Chicken Seasoning
Dijon Cream Sauce
No chicken cordon bleu is complete without a creamy Dijon sauce. My zesty cream sauce is the perfect accompaniment, offering a tangy, smooth contrast to the smoky chicken. It’s quick and easy to whip up while your chicken is smoking, and it elevates the dish to restaurant-quality status. Here’s what you need:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 4 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Simply combine all the ingredients for your Dijon sauce in a small bowl, then whisk well until you have a smooth, creamy sauce for your breaded chicken breasts.
How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu on the Smoker
Get ready to impress with this smoky take on a staple. The process is simple, but the result will be legendary. The hardest part about making this is resisting the urge to eat while the appetizing aroma fills your backyard:
- Turn on the grill. Preheat your smoker to 275°F, allowing it time to get to temp as you prepare your chicken.
- Stuff the chicken. Using a sharp knife, cut a pocket into each chicken breast, then lay out 4 ham slices and place a cheese slice on top of each ham slice. Roll the ham and the cheese. Stuff each chicken breast with the rolled ham and cheese, then secure the chicken with toothpicks.
- Dredge the chicken. Lightly whisk together the eggs and milk in a shallow dish. In a separate shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs and some Hey Grill Hey Chicken Rub. Dip each stuffed chicken breast in the egg mixture and then transfer to the seasoned breadcrumbs. Coat the chicken on both sides with the bread crumbs.
- Smoke the chicken. Place the chicken cordon bleu directly on the smoker grates and close the lid. Smoke the chicken for 60-90 minutes, flipping once while cooking. Remove when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F, using a reliable meat thermometer.
- Make the Dijon cream sauce. Combine all ingredients for the cream sauce in a small bowl. Stir well to mix. Keep chilled until ready to serve.
- Rest and serve. Remove the chicken cordon bleu from the grill. Rest the chicken for 10 minutes, and remember to remove the toothpicks. Serve with Dijon cream sauce on the side, and get ready for a chicken dish worthy of its name.
Tips for Making This Recipe
If you do nothing more than follow my simple steps, your family will be hailing you as a backyard BBQ hero. However, I do have a few pro tips to help make your chicken cordon bleu the stuff of legend.
- Quality chicken. This is a popular dish with a history of quality, so you don’t want to skimp on the chicken. Choose thick breasts for easier stuffing and juicier results.
- Don’t overstuff. You want to leave room for the cheese to melt without oozing out. Nothing will ruin a fancy dish faster than having it fall apart while your guests are trying to eat.
- Remember the toothpicks. Use toothpicks to secure the openings while smoking your chicken. And more importantly, remember to remove them before serving.
What to Serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu
Traditionally, chicken cordon bleu is served with a side of steamed vegetables and potatoes. I’ve got recipes for both Smoked Mashed Potatoes and Smoked Garlic Mashed Potatoes you can make on your smoker right alongside your chicken. Pair it with my Grilled Asparagus or Zucchini and Squash, and a salad for a refreshing contrast to your rich, creamy chicken.
More Chicken Recipes
If you’re craving more delicious chicken dishes, you’re in luck. From whole smoked chickens to grilled chicken wings, I’ve got recipes for every cut and cooking method. Check out the Chicken section of my website for all the options, but here are a few of my personal favorites to try next:
Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
If this chicken cordon blew your mind, then I want to hear about it. Leave the recipe a 5-star review if you had fun making it, and tell me about your experience in the comments. For even more amazing BBQ dishes just like this, you’ve got to check out the Hey Grill Hey app. It’s loaded with over 600 of my top recipes, plus you can meal plan and make shopping lists on the go.
You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, by searching the handle @heygrillhey. Never miss another new recipe, how-to video, or useful tip from Hey Grill Hey again.
Smoked Chicken Cordon Bleu
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 8 slices thick cut deli ham
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
Wet Dredge
- 2 eggs
- 2 Tablespoons whole milk
Dry Dredge
- 2 cups panko seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Chicken Rub
Dijon Cream Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 4 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Turn on the smoker. Preheat your smoker to 275 degrees F.
- Stuff the chicken. Using the tip of a sharp knife, cut a pocket into each chicken breast. Lay out your ham slices and place a cheese slice on top of each ham slice. Roll the ham (about 2 slices for each cheese) and the cheese. Stuff each chicken breast with the rolled ham and cheese. Secure the opening with toothpicks.4 chicken breasts, 8 slices thick cut deli ham, 4 slices Swiss cheese
- Dredge the chicken. Lightly whisk together the eggs and milk in a shallow dish or pie tin. In a separate shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs and the Chicken seasoning. Dip each stuffed chicken breast in the egg mixture and then transfer to the seasoned breadcrumbs. Coat the chicken on both sides with the bread crumbs.2 eggs, 2 Tablespoons whole milk, 2 cups panko seasoning, 2 Tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Chicken Rub
- Smoke the chicken. Place the chicken cordon bleu directly on the smoker grates and close the lid. Smoke the chicken for 60-90 minutes, flipping once while cooking. Remove when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
- Make the Dijon cordon bleu sauce. Combine all ingredients for the cream sauce in a small bowl. Stir well to mix. Keep chilled until ready to serve.½ cup mayonnaise, 4 Tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper
- Rest and serve. Remove the chicken cordon bleu from the grill. Rest the chicken for 10 minutes and serve with Dijon cream sauce on the side.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Great dinner! Awesome recipe for the smoker, family loved it. Always looking to make new dishes instead of the same thing all the time. WIll definitely be making this again.
Everyone loved this. I used 1/4″ ham slices and probably would go 1/8″ next time. More Swiss for next round too. Ended up going for 2+ hours and still wasn’t finished so I cranked the heat up to 300 at the end cause everyone was hungry. First time ever trying to make cordon Bleu in any form, it always seemed intimidating to me. Yes, it is a bit of work requiring patience and a slight learning curve for first timers. I will definitely make it again. Smoking added a nice touch and goes well with the ham and Swiss pairing.
the grilled and smoked versions of this recipe both call for 8 ham slices, but then says to lay out ham slices and roll with the cheese. Where do the other 4 ham slices go?
You’ll use 2 slices of ham for each roll. Thanks for catching that! We’ve got it updated now.
thanks!