National Cordon Bleu Day | Chicken Cordon Bleu
TGIF takes on a whole new meaning when you don’t work on Fridays. I’m happy to always have a 3 day weekend because today is filled again with cooking. The thing is, I have to cook often because I don’t have the time to cook every single night (I have a full-time job outside of the home, after all) and there are upcoming weekends that I won’t be able to cook so I have to get a head start now.
Things like the American Pie Festival, Taste of South Tampa, my husband’s birthday and graduation, my nephew’s birthday (my best friend’s baby, but it counts!), and more. I’m so incredibly busy that I don’t even know what to do with myself. But it’s AWESOME all at the same time!
Although I spend my day off every week cooking a multitude of dishes for the food holidays, I still feel very relaxed. I wake up when I want, I cook whatever dish I feel like, I sometimes take a nap, and most times, my husband and I go to lunch together. I’m genuinely happy to be cooking off and on all day long. If only I could do this in my home for a living…
I’m so excited for this Friday in particular because it’s National Cordon Bleu Day. Chicken Cordon Bleu is the one dish I remember being very hesitant about when I was younger. I’ve never liked swiss cheese, but I soon discovered that when melted, swiss cheese tastes different enough to actually be good! Really good.
We would melt swiss cheese on jerk chicken and on sandwiches, and it was all because of a random Chicken Cordon Bleu dish.
Well Chicken Cordon Bleu, traditionally made with swiss cheese and ham, is good, but I wanted to do a little bit of a twist. Instead, I used provolone cheese and pancetta. Pancetta happened to be on sale and I thought, That sounds amazing.
And of course, it was. Because how can a provolone cheese and pancetta combo stuffed inside breaded chicken not?
By the way, the chicken in the front…well, I’m calling that one an Open-Faced Chicken Cordon Bleu (as if I meant for it to open back up).
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
- 4 ounces diced pancetta
- 4 slices Provolone cheese
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of pepper
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp whole milk
- 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp canola oil
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Preheat oven to 350*F.
- In a small saucepan, cook diced pancetta. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and milk together. In a third bowl, add the breadcrumbs.
- Heat canola oil in a saute pan over medium heat to prepare for browning the chicken.
- Top each piece of chicken 1 slice of cheese and 1/4th of the cooked pancetta. Roll up and secure with a toothpick. Dip chicken in flour mixture, followed by egg mixture and then breadcrumbs.
- Place chicken, seam side down, into heated skillet. Brown chicken on all sides and then transfer to a square baking dish that’s been coated with cooking spray.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Drizzle with melted butter and lemon juice.
Tomorrow: National Caramel Day; National Raisin & Spice Day
This sounds yummy! Had no idea Cordon Blue had a national day!!
Thanks, Jessica! Yeah, I’m continuing to be surprised by the food holidays that are in existence, lol.
This looks so good thanks for sharing it and who would have guessed there was a day for it. I also like to cook but there is not enough time her either.
I’m learning a lot in cooking through the national food holidays. 🙂 There are food holidays that I would never had guessed existed.
This looks delicious and my kids would love it too. I’ve printed it out and I think I’ll make it at the weekend 🙂
Hooray! I think they’ll really enjoy it!
Really simple, but tasty.
I’m not really a ham fan but this looks AMAZING!!!
You know, I’m not a huge ham fan either. When I do eat it, I’m pretty picky about it. That’s actually the main reason I used pancetta. So much better!
As if I wasn’t hungry enough already. Oh man. This looks amazing! Adding it to my MUST MAKE recipes!! Also sharing it with my followers!!
Thank you so much, Christine! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
I like this recipe.. I do not eat this often, but when i see it at a deli or on a menu, i go for it..
Good call! Thanks for visiting. 🙂
Can you believe that I have never tried Chicken Cordon Bleu before? That’s crazy because it sounds delicious.
Yes, I’m super surprised you haven’t had Chicken Cordon Bleu before! I hope you make this one and enjoy it. 🙂
That looks amazing. I’m going go try it for sure.
Hooray! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
I had no idea that National Cordon Bleu was today. We actually made it for dinner Monday night and it was delicious. I made it with provolone and ham with bacon wrapped around the outside. It was tasty too! I’ve always loved Cordon Bleu.. Maybe I’ll try it with the pancetta next. That sounds even better than bacon.
Ooo, I love that you wrapped it in bacon! In cooking through these food holidays I’m discovering a lot, LOL.
I had no idea there was a chicken cordon bleu day. Guess those die-hard fans needed their own day. lol.
This recipe looks so yummy and something I could totally do too! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for visiting, Jennifer! Yeah, when I started this food holiday challenge, I learned a LOT of random food holidays. I’m very confused by a number of them, lol.
This looks amazing and I don’t even really eat chicken! May need to try a variation of this though – you had me at the cheese part.
~ Shannon
1. The food Patootie… I’m DYING that’s so cute. First time visitor here!
2. NICE chicken dish – it looks so fancy and yet easy!
3. WIth your mention of a Pie Festival, I’m looking for the sign up!!
Oh yum… provolone and pancetta. I have never considered that combination before with chicken. Mouthwatering!! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
How funny, who would have guessed there was a chicken cordon bleu day! Looks like a terrific recipe, I’ll have to pin this for later!
Great recipe. You make it look so easy!
I love love this recipe. Chicken and cheese are my favorites (but you already knew that). Your blog layout is slowly becoming my FAVORITE. MORE MORE MORE.
This looks delicious, I love Chicken Cordon Bleu but I’ve never actually made it myself before. Going to have to try this recipe out. I always drool over your Instagram feed!
OMGosh that looks incredible! Pinning for later!
Ooh now this is a day to celebrate, indeed! Your version of cordon blue looks incredible.. mouth watering! Thanks for sharing such a scrumptious recipe!
Even though I’m not a big fan of cheese over my food, it looks so delicious! I didn’t realize that there are so many food holidays. Thanks for sharing.
I never knew there is a National Cordon Bleu Day! Oh now that I know, can I join the celebration? 🙂
Okay so I have heard of Chicken Cordon Bleu but have never had it. Nor did I know there was a holiday. Looking at this recipe, I see I’ve been clearly missing out on a tasty-looking dish!
I had no idea it was National Chicken Cordon Bleu day, I’m sorry I missed it. Your recipe looks fantastic, i love provolone cheese.
Okay, this sounds delicious. I have never made Chicken Cordon Bleu, but now I want to. I would add the provolone too!
Oh. Chicken cordon bleu is my all time favorite food!!! And it’s a holiday!
I would love this! It looks so delicious and my mouth is watering. Thanks for sharing!
That bowl of cereal I just ate is seeming like nothing right now because I’m hungry looking at the picture for this recipe. I’ll take 2 please 🙂
I’ve never had Chicken Cordon Bleu before, but I love everything in it so I’m sure I’d love it. I really like the way you changed it up though; it sounds amazing! Will definitely have to try this! Also need to look into these fun food holidays too! 🙂
You know, I have never actually made Chicken Cordon Bleu. I may just have to try your recipe.
this looks amazingly tastly i can actually see my whole family eating this thanks for sharing
The pancetta and provolone looks like such a DELICIOUS combination! Thanks for sharing your recipe – I have bookmarked it and plan on making it next week 🙂
I have not made Chicken Cordon Bleu but that recipe looks delicious.
I’ve never made this at home, but you make it look so simple! Pinned!
wow that looks so good! I would love a plate of this!
I want this for breakfast. Looks amazing
I haven’t made the family Chicken Cordon Bleu in a long time. We’re overdue.
That looks so delicious! Chicken Cordon Bleu has always been one of my sister’s favorites. It’s her birthday this month, so maybe I’ll surprise her by making this recipe.
This looks so good. All of it has my mouth watering – love Cordon Bleu!
Love the twist in your recipe! Sounds amazing. Your pictures turned out beautiful too.
I love that chicken cordon bleu has its own day. Who knew? And I love pancetta so much! I’d add it to most dishes.
Who knew there was a day for this? I love celebrating the random holidays with food!
I always appreciate a really good chicken cordon bleu. This one looks amazing!
What a beautiful recipe! I will have to give it a whirl. I’ve never made Cordon Blue.
This looks so delicious! I love the days that I can cook some, take a nap, and cook some more.
I love chicken cordon bleu but it’s a lot of work! This recipe is perfect because you get the flavors without all the trouble. I’m making some tweaks to make a low carb version for dinner tonight. Yummy!!
I kinda like the open face version. A new way to make the recipe in connection with the “holiday”. I didn’t even know there was one.
I never heard of National Cordon Bleu Day but it is sure a great day to celebrate with this fantastic recipe. 🙂
I always thought that Chicken Cordon Bleu was so hard to make, but your recipe seems so easy to make. I can’t wait to try this!
that looks amazing. i don’t think I’ve ever attempted chicken cordon blue myself