Chicken Cordon Bleu Sauce Recipe

Chicken Cordon Bleu Sauce is perfectly creamy, full of flavor, and super easy to make. Simply sauté butter and garlic, whisk in flour and milk, then season with mustard, Parmesan cheese, and thyme for a rich topping. A few quick swaps will yield a gluten-free and dairy-free option anyone can enjoy.

Chicken Cordon Bleu has ham and cheese in the middle and is drizzled with a creamy sauce.

While chicken is a super healthy protein for dinner, it is almost always better with a sauce.

And if that sauce is creamy and full of flavor, dinner is sure to be good.

Take this Chicken Cordon Bleu sauce. Whenever my dad made this dish growing up, I knew it was going to be a special night.

While the crispy and salty chicken stuffed with ham slices and Swiss cheese was fabulous…it was THIS sauce that made it.

Try this easy Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe next time you’re craving a fancy but still relatively easy dinner and lather some of this creamy sauce on top.

Ingredients

The simple ingredients you need to make this Cordon Bleu sauce recipe include:

Butter. Opt for unsalted, or be sure to adjust the amount of salt you add later. You can use a dairy-free version if you’d like.
Garlic. Minced garlic is sautéed with butter to make a rich base.
Dijon mustard. While yellow will work, the flavor will NOT be the same, so stick with Dijon.
Milk. You can use either regular dairy or a plant-based alternative.
Flour. Both all-purpose and a gluten-free 1-to-1 blend will work perfectly.
Parmesan cheese. Shredded or grated work, and fresh is best.
Thyme. This fresh herb adds so much flavor to the sauce. You can sub with dried if you need to.

How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Sauce

These are the steps to follow to make this creamy Dijon sauce recipe:

Sauté the Butter and Garlic

Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Drop in 1 tablespoon of butter and let it melt.

Add in minced garlic and continue cooking for another 30 seconds, until it’s aromatic.

Add the Flour and Milk

Quickly sprinkle 1 tablespoon of flour over the butter and garlic. Use a whisk to stir it in so it’s well incorporated.

Slowly add the milk into the flour-butter mixture. Do this a couple of tablespoons at a time, whisking well and allowing it to thicken after each addition.

Milk is whisked into a roux. — Add flour and whisk until smooth.

Milk is added to a roux. — Add flour and whisk until smooth.

Give it Flavor

Once the sauce is thick and creamy, pour in the cheese, mustard, salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir well until it is smooth.

Prepare some chicken breasts with this Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe to pair with this sauce. Enjoy!

Mustard and herbs are added to the sauce base. — Add the mustard and thyme.

Cordon bleu sauce is smooth and creamy. — Add the mustard and thyme.

Meal Prep and Storage

To Prep-Ahead: You can easily make this sauce a day or two before you need it, just keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. Then, warm it back up on the stove.
To Store: Keep leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 to 5 days.
To Freeze: It is not recommended to freeze this sauce.
To Reheat: To warm up the sauce, place it back in a saucepan and heat on low, whisking until it is smooth and warm. If needed, add a little more milk.

Dietary Modifications

The recipe you’ll find below is already vegetarian as written. Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:

Dairy-free: Opt for a dairy-free cheese, vegan buttery sticks, and a plant-based milk.
Gluten-free: Stick with a gluten-free 1-to-1 blend.

Chicken Cordon Bleu is served with a salad.

FAQs

What is Chicken Cordon Bleu?

Chicken Cordon Bleu is a classic dish made by stuffing chicken breasts with sliced ham and Swiss cheese, coating it with breadcrumbs, then pan-searing or baking the rolls in the oven. Of course, this creamy sauce tops it off.

What is Cordon Bleu sauce made of?

Cordon Bleu sauce is made with a butter and garlic base, then flour and milk are added to thicken it. It is then seasoned with Dijon mustard, Parmesan cheese, and herbs to create a decadent sauce.

What does the Bleu in Cordon Bleu mean?

Cordon Blue is a term from France that literally means blue ribbon. It signifies a well-prepared dish.

What do you serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu?

This delicious dish goes great with your favorite vegetables, like green beans, broccoli, or cauliflower, or pair it with potatoes or rice.

Expert Tips and Tricks

Only Dijon. Don’t sub for another type of mustard, it won’t taste nearly as good.
Sauté all day. Cook the butter and garlic over a lower heat until you can smell them.
Just a little. Don’t rush to add the milk, incorporate it a couple tablespoons at a time as it thickens.
Give it a whisk. Really stir the sauce as you add the ingredients.
Get creative. Serve this recipe with a variety of chicken and veggie dishes, not just Chicken Cordon Bleu.

Healthy chicken is rolled with ham and cheese then lightly fried.

What to Serve with Dijon Cream Sauce

Of course, Chicken Cordon Bleu is the perfect pair for this sauce. Or drizzle some extra on this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole!

But, it would also be delicious with other chicken or pork dishes. Try it with this Spatchcock Chicken. Or, dip these Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets in it.

You can even drizzle it over Bacon Wrapped Asparagus or Air Fryer Broccoli.

More Sauce Recipes

It’s surprisingly easy to make your own sauces!

Everything from Secret Sauce to Chick fil a Sauce, Cocktail Sauce to Tartar Sauce, and Teriyaki Sauce to Remoulade Sauce can be made quickly and healthily in your own kitchen.

And don’t miss out on Homemade Buffalo Sauce!

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