Enjoy the classic flavors of chicken cordon bleu without the fuss with this keto-friendly recipe. This dish offers a delightful combination of chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese, all while staying low-carb. Whether you're following a ketogenic lifestyle or simply looking for a delicious and easy dinner, this recipe is sure to please.
What is Chicken Cordon Bleu?
Cordon bleu, or schnitzel cordon bleu, is traditionally a dish of meat, such as chicken or veal, wrapped around ham and cheese. It's then breaded and either pan-fried or deep-fried. The origins of this dish as a schnitzel filled with cheese can be traced back to Switzerland, around the 1940s, with the first mention appearing in a cookbook from 1949.
The Keto Twist
This recipe offers a simplified, keto-friendly take on the classic cordon bleu. Instead of the traditional breadcrumb coating, it utilizes almond meal or a pork rind crust, making it suitable for those following a low-carb or ketogenic diet. Baking the chicken instead of frying it also helps to keep the dish healthier and easier to prepare.
Why This Recipe Works
The main challenge when making traditional cordon bleu is that the cheese often oozes out during cooking. This recipe solves that problem by either layering the ingredients or coating the chicken instead of stuffing it. This ensures that the cheese stays in place and melts beautifully over the chicken and ham.
Two Approaches: Individual Breasts or Casserole
This article explores two different ways to make keto chicken cordon bleu: as individual chicken breasts or as a casserole. Both methods are easy to follow and deliver delicious results.
Read also: Creamy Keto Ranch Chicken Recipe
Keto Chicken Cordon Bleu: Individual Breasts
This version focuses on creating individual chicken breasts with the classic cordon bleu flavors.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts (small, if possible)
- Dijon mustard
- Mayonnaise
- Thin-sliced ham
- Sliced Swiss cheese
- Almond meal (for coating)
- Olive oil (for spraying)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Make the Dijon mixture: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard.
- Coat the chicken: Brush the chicken breasts on all sides with the Dijon mixture.
- Dredge in almond meal: Dredge the chicken pieces in the almond meal, ensuring they are fully coated.
- Place on the rack: Place the coated chicken breasts on the prepared wire rack.
- Spray with oil: Spray the tops of the chicken breasts with olive oil.
- Bake: Bake the chicken uncovered for 20-30 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165°F (74°C). Start checking after 20 minutes, as baking time will vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts and your oven. If the tops start to brown too quickly, loosely cover them with foil.
- Add ham and cheese: Top each chicken breast with two slices of ham (folded if necessary) and a slice of Swiss cheese.
- Melt the cheese: Return the chicken to the hot oven for 2-3 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and rest: Garnish with chopped parsley. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
Keto Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
For a more hands-off approach, try the casserole version. This is particularly great for feeding a crowd or for meal prepping.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts, halved lengthwise
- Sliced ham
- Sliced Swiss cheese
- Pork rinds
- Flaxseed meal
- Parmesan cheese
- Garlic powder
- Butter, melted
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
- Chicken broth (optional, for thinning the sauce)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the pork rind topping: In a food processor, blend pork rinds, flaxseed meal, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and salt until finely ground. Set aside.
- Assemble the casserole: Lay the chicken pieces into a 9x13" casserole dish. Season with salt and pepper.
- Layer ham and cheese: Place the slices of ham on top of the chicken, followed by a layer of Swiss cheese.
- Add the topping: Spread the pork rind mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Drizzle with butter: Drizzle the melted butter over the pork rind topping and mix it in with a fork. The topping will clump together somewhat.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered for 40-45 minutes, until the topping has browned and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Check the chicken with a thermometer to ensure it has reached 165°F (74°C).
- Prepare the Dijon sauce: While the casserole is baking, whisk together the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard. For a thinner sauce, add 2-3 tablespoons of chicken broth.
Tips for Success
- Chicken Breast Size: It's best to use small chicken breasts for the individual breast recipe. If your chicken breasts are large (8 ounces or bigger), you may need to bake them for longer during the first baking stage.
- Cheese Choice: While Swiss cheese is recommended, Gruyere can also be used. Avoid mozzarella, as it melts too quickly and has a mild flavor.
- Pounding the Chicken: For the individual breast recipe, pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness helps them cook more evenly. You can pound the chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap using a meat mallet.
- Make Ahead: Both versions of this recipe can be prepped ahead of time. For the individual breasts, you can assemble them and store them in the refrigerator until ready to bake. For the casserole, you can assemble it completely and store it in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
- Salt the Chicken: Want to take this to the next level? Pound and salt the chicken a day ahead of time. This allows it to diffuse evenly through the meat. Salt dissolves the protein strands into a gel, allowing them to retain moisture better when cooked.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Keto Chicken Cordon Bleu with a side salad or green vegetables like garlic broccoli or roasted asparagus. For the casserole version, consider a creamy lemon sauce for an extra touch of flavor. Cauliflower rice makes an excellent low-carb side dish.
Leftovers
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat them covered in the microwave. Alternatively, enjoy the leftovers cold with quick pickles on the side.
Variations
- Different Cheeses and Meats: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese and deli meats. However, keep in mind that deviating too far from ham and Swiss cheese may no longer be considered chicken cordon bleu.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the Dijon mixture for a little heat.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and should be verified independently. The carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. A serving of this recipe has just 5.2 net grams of carbs, making it perfect for anyone following a low-carb or ketogenic lifestyle.
Read also: Low-carb chicken nuggets recipe.
Read also: Chicken and Brown Rice: A Healthy Choice