Chicken cordon bleu is a classic dish that combines juicy chicken, savory ham, and melty cheese all wrapped up in a crispy breadcrumb coating. It’s a real crowd pleaser! But when it comes to sauces, people often wonder what sauce pairs best with chicken cordon bleu. The good news is that there are lots of delicious sauce options to consider.
Why Use a Sauce?
Adding a sauce to chicken cordon bleu can help enhance the flavors and prevent the dish from drying out The sauce adds moisture while also providing another layer of taste Many sauces pair nicely with the salty ham, creamy cheese, and mild chicken flavors. So take your chicken cordon bleu to the next level by serving it with a tasty sauce!
10 Recommended Sauces for Chicken Cordon Bleu
Here are 10 delicious sauces to try with your chicken cordon bleu
1. Creamy Mustard Sauce
A creamy mustard sauce is a classic pairing with chicken cordon bleu. It’s usually made with ingredients like Dijon mustard, butter, white wine, and cream. The tangy mustard cuts through the richness of the dish while the cream provides a smooth, luxurious texture. It’s easy to make this sauce yourself at home too. Simply whisk together melted butter, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and cream or milk. Season with salt and pepper and you’ve got a quick and tasty sauce for chicken cordon bleu.
2. Hollandaise Sauce
Buttery, rich hollandaise sauce makes a decadent topping for chicken cordon bleu. The lemon flavor brightens up the dish while the consistency is perfect for drizzling over each piece. Although making hollandaise from scratch can be tricky, you can find high quality pre-made and refrigerated options that are almost as good as homemade. Warm up the hollandaise sauce and spoon it over your breaded chicken right before serving.
3. Béchamel Sauce
For an easy, creamy white sauce, whip up some béchamel. This French sauce starts with a simple roux of butter and flour. Milk is gradually whisked in until the sauce is thickened and smooth. Season it with a little nutmeg and white pepper. The mild flavor of béchamel allows the stuffed chicken breast to really shine while adding a rich, velvety texture.
4. Mornay Sauce
Similar to béchamel, mornay sauce includes grated cheese like Gruyère or Parmesan. Melting the cheese into the creamy sauce makes it extra indulgent. Mornay is a classic French sauce that pairs wonderfully with chicken, seafood, vegetables and pastas. Drizzle it over your chicken cordon bleu for a restaurant-quality meal.
5. Tomato Sauce
For a fresh, vibrant sauce, look no further than tomato sauce. Either make your own using canned crushed tomatoes, garlic, onion and basil or use a high quality jarred marinara sauce. The bright acidity cuts through the rich chicken and ham while the herby flavors complement the overall dish. Serve tomato sauce on the side for dipping or spoon it over the top of each piece.
6. Alfredo Sauce
Creamy, garlicky Alfredo sauce is a foolproof topping for chicken cordon bleu. The Parmesan cheese and butter ensure it’s rich, smooth and full of flavor. Purchase ready-made Alfredo sauce for convenience or make your own stovetop version in just 10 minutes with butter, heavy cream and Parmesan. Either way, Alfredo sauce takes this dish over the top.
7. White Wine Sauce
Whip up an easy pan sauce using white wine, chicken broth and butter. Simmer them together until thickened and drizzle the sauce over sliced chicken cordon bleu. The white wine adds a touch of acidity while complementing the salty and creamy components of the dish. Feel free to add minced garlic, lemon juice or herbs to the sauce for extra dimension.
8. Cheese Sauce
For ultimate cheesy indulgence, make a creamy cheese sauce for your chicken cordon bleu. A blend of melty cheeses like cheddar, Monterey jack, Gruyère or gouda makes for a comforting, decadent sauce. Thicken it with a roux or cream cheese and season with Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce or herbs. Spoon this sauce over chicken, rice or pasta too.
9. Gravy
Chicken gravy is a homestyle sauce that pairs nicely with cordon bleu. Use pan drippings, chicken broth, milk or cream and flour or cornstarch to make a flavorful gravy. Let it simmer until thickened. For extra richness, mount with a spoonful of butter at the end. Chicken gravy adds comfort and savoriness to this stuffed chicken dish.
10. Cranberry Sauce
For a unique twist, try homemade or canned cranberry sauce with chicken cordon bleu. The sweet-tart flavors complement the salty and creamy components of the dish surprisingly well. Whole berry cranberry sauce has the best texture. Drizzle the sauce over chicken or serve it on the side for dipping.
Tips for Serving Sauces with Chicken Cordon Bleu
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For convenience, make the sauce ahead of time so it’s ready when the chicken comes out of the oven.
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Allow the breaded chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and adding sauce so the coating stays crispy.
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Drizzle sauce over individual pieces of chicken or serve it on the side for dipping.
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Match lighter sauces like lemon butter or white wine with vegetable sides. Richer sauces pair better with starchier sides like rice, pasta or mashed potatoes.
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Add a pop of color to the plate with fresh herbs like parsley, chives or dill.
Now that you know 10 delicious sauce options for chicken cordon bleu, it’s time to try them out! From creamy classics to fresh new flavors, the right sauce can really take this dish to the next level. Find your favorites and transform an ordinary weeknight dinner into an impressive meal.
How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Sauce
Please see the recipe card below for more detailed directions and ingredients amounts.
Step 1: Cook 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 fragrant.
Step 2: Add the flour.
Quickly sprinkle 1 tablespoon of flour over the butter and garlic. Use a whisk to stir it in so it’s well incorporated.
Step 3: Pour in the milk.
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.
Step 4: Mix in the cheese, mustard, and thyme.
Once the sauce is thick and creamy, pour in the cheese, mustard, salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir well until it is smooth.
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 as it will separate upon thawing.
- 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.
Absolutely! This will give it a really luxurious, creamy texture that will be delicious!
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.
Cordon Blue is a term from France that literally means blue ribbon. It signifies a well-prepared dish.
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cordon bleu sauce
FAQ
What goes on top of chicken cordon bleu?
Chicken cordon bleu is traditionally topped with a decadent cream sauce made with Parmesan cheese and Dijon mustard — you can improvise your own recipe or try spiking our top-rated Alfredo Sauce with a hint of Dijon.
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.
What is traditionally served with chicken cordon bleu?
Chicken Cordon Bleu is best served with mashed potatoes, rice or small pasta like orzo. Fresh asparagus or green beans, sliced carrots, or broccoli also make lovely sides to this chicken dish.
How to make cheese sauce for cordon bleu?
- Melt butter in a sauce pan.
- Stir in flour and salt.
- Add milk and cheese and stir until melted.
- Pour over cordon bleu and serve.