Chicken cordon bleu is a delicious breaded chicken breast stuffed with ham and cheese that makes for a tasty and filling meal. When buying pre-made chicken cordon bleu from the grocery store or restaurant, you’ll likely have leftovers that you’ll want to reheat. Reheating chicken cordon bleu properly is important to maintain its texture and flavor. Here are some tips on the best ways to reheat pre-made chicken cordon bleu.
Use the oven
One of the best methods for reheating chicken cordon bleu is in the oven. This allows the stuffed chicken breast to heat through gradually and evenly, crisping up the breading again without drying out the chicken or melting the cheese too much. Follow these steps:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Place the leftover chicken cordon bleu on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until heated through. The cheese should be melted and the breading crispy again.
- You can also cover the baking sheet with foil for the first 10 minutes, then uncover for the last 5-10 minutes to recrisp the breading.
- Leftover chicken cordon bleu reheats well directly from the fridge, so no need to thaw if storing in the fridge.
Baking in the oven is a no-fuss way to reheat chicken cordon bleu to perfect doneness. Just be sure not to overcook it or the chicken can dry out.
Use the skillet
Reheating chicken cordon bleu in a skillet on the stovetop also works well. Follow these steps:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a bit of olive oil or butter.
- Add the chicken cordon bleu and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until heated through.
- You want the breading to become crispy and golden brown again without burning.
- Cook on slightly lower heat if the breading seems to brown too quickly.
- Press down lightly with a spatula as the chicken cooks to help crisp the breading.
Pan frying is a quick and easy way to reheat chicken cordon bleu to get that crispy breading texture. Just be careful not to overcook it.
Microwave
You can reheat chicken cordon bleu in the microwave but the results may not be as crispy and even. Here’s how:
- Place the chicken cordon bleu on a microwave-safe plate.
- Microwave in 30 second increments, checking in between.
- Microwave just until heated through, about 1-2 minutes total.
- The breading may not get crispy but the chicken will be hot and the cheese melted.
- Let it sit 1-2 minutes before eating.
Microwaving is a very quick reheating method but won’t revive the crunchy breading texture as well as oven or skillet. It works in a pinch.
Deep fry
Deep frying is the best way to make leftover chicken cordon bleu taste freshly made. Here’s how:
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot on the stove to 350°F.
- Fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes until the breading is crispy and golden brown.
- Use tongs to flip the chicken halfway through frying.
- Blot excess oil on paper towels before serving.
Deep frying reheats chicken cordon bleu to crispy perfection. However, it’s more time-consuming, messy, and less healthy than oven or skillet.
Toaster oven
A toaster oven also works well for reheating chicken cordon bleu. Follow these instructions:
- Preheat toaster oven to 350°F.
- Place chicken on wire rack set inside toaster oven pan.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes until hot and crispy.
- Use oven mitts when handling hot trays.
- Can cover with foil at first for more even heating.
The toaster oven gives you the quick convenience of a small oven. The wire rack allows the hot air to circulate and rebrown the breading.
Things to keep in mind
Here are some additional tips for reheating chicken cordon bleu:
- All reheating methods work best when chicken is thoroughly thawed if frozen.
- Don’t reheat more than once, as quality deteriorates.
- Check internal temperature using meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches safe 165°F.
- Cut into thicker pieces to allow insides to heat through.
- Add a splash of chicken broth or water to pan for extra moisture.
- Cover with foil at first if reheating several pieces to ensure even heating.
Storage
For best quality and food safety, observe these storage guidelines:
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.
- Store chicken cordon bleu in airtight container up to 3-4 days.
- Can be frozen for 2-3 months in airtight wrapping.
- Thaw slowly in fridge before reheating.
- Discard if moldy, smells off, or past use by date.
Serving suggestions
Leftover chicken cordon bleu makes for a quick and easy meal any time. Here are some tasty ways to serve it:
- Serve with fresh green salad or roasted vegetables.
- Make chicken cordon bleu sandwiches on crusty rolls.
- Cube and serve over mixed greens for main dish salad.
- Slice into strips for appetizers or snacks.
- Make chicken cordon bleu pasta by slicing and tossing with hot pasta.
- Fill halved dinner rolls for sliders.
Conclusion
Reheating pre-made chicken cordon bleu is easy when you follow a few simple tricks. The oven provides the most even results, while the skillet or toaster oven work great for getting that delicate breading nice and crispy again. With proper storage and reheating, you can enjoy restaurant or store-bought chicken cordon bleu again and again.