Cordon bleu is a classic French dish that is beloved for its crunchy, breaded exterior wrapped around a savory ham and cheese filling. It’s easy to see why this satisfying combination of flavors has stood the test of time. While cordon bleu may seem intimidating to make at home, it’s actually quite simple with the right ingredients and techniques. This article will walk through the entire process of cooking delicious cordon bleu using pre-made entrees from Costco. We’ll cover everything from thawing and preparing the cordon bleu, to breading and frying, to ensuring it comes out perfectly cooked and browned. With just a few easy steps, you’ll be able to enjoy restaurant-quality cordon bleu from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Table of Contents
What is cordon bleu?
Cordon bleu is made of thin slices of ham and Swiss cheese that are rolled up and breaded before being fried or baked. The name “cordon bleu” is French and translates to “blue ribbon,” likely referring to the blue ribbon that would be awarded to the very best cooks. While often associated with French cuisine, versions of breaded stuffed meats are found in many cultures.
Some key characteristics that define cordon bleu include:
– Thinly sliced or pounded veal, pork, or chicken: This makes up the base and gets wrapped around the ham and cheese filling. Chicken is most common today.
– Thin slices of ham: High-quality deli ham provides savory flavor.
– Swiss cheese: Melty, nutty Swiss cheese gives the filling creaminess.
– Breadcrumb coating: A crispy coating of breadcrumbs or panko provides texture contrast.
– Pan-fried or baked: Cordon bleu can be cooked in a pan with oil or baked in the oven. Frying gives the signature crunch.
When all these components come together in perfect balance, you get the irresistible taste and satisfaction of cordon bleu.
Ingredients Needed
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make Costco cordon bleu at home:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Kirkland Signature Cordon Bleu | 2 packages (about 2 pounds) |
| Flour | 1/2 cup |
| Eggs | 2 large |
| Breadcrumbs or panko | 1 cup |
| Oil for frying (canola, vegetable, etc.) | 2-3 cups |
| Salt and pepper | To taste |
| Lemon wedges for serving (optional) | 2-3 lemons |
The main ingredient is obviously the Kirkland Signature Cordon Bleu packs from Costco. Each package includes about 12 breaded chicken cordon bleus that are ready to cook. The flour, egg, and breadcrumbs are for the additional layer of breading we’ll apply. Any neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil works well for pan-frying.
You can season the cordon bleu with just salt and pepper before cooking. Fresh lemon wedges go great with cordon bleu for an extra burst of flavor. And that’s really all you need!
Equipment Needed
Cooking up Costco cordon bleu requires just basic kitchen equipment and tools:
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Tongs or spatula for turning
- Three shallow dishes for breading station
- Wire cooling rack
- Baking sheet
- Paper towels
- Mixing bowl
- Fork or whisk
A good quality non-stick pan works best to minimize sticking and make cooking easier. The three shallow dishes are for the flour, egg wash, and breadcrumb coating. Cooling racks allow the fried cordon bleu to drain any excess oil. Paper towels soak up grease too. And the mixing bowl and fork are for beating the eggs. No special equipment is required!
Thawing the Cordon Bleu
If the cordon bleu packs are frozen, the first step is thawing:
- Take the packages out of the freezer and place in the refrigerator. Allow 12-24 hours for complete thawing.
- You can also thaw in the microwave, using the defrost setting in 5 minute increments. Rotate and flip the frozen cordon bleu a few times as it thaws.
- Another option is to seal the frozen cordon bleu in a plastic bag and submerge in cold water. Change the water every 10-15 minutes so it stays cold. This may take 30-60 minutes.
- Avoid thawing at room temperature or in hot water, as this allows exterior bacteria to grow.
- The cordon bleu is ready when it’s no longer icy cold and is pliable enough to bread easily.
Proper thawing ensures the cordon bleu cooks through evenly later. Now we can move onto the fun part – breading and frying!
Breading the Cordon Bleu
Breading gives the cordon bleu its signature crispy, golden crust. Here is the process:
- Get your breading station ready with three shallow dishes – one each for flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs/panko. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, beat 2 eggs well with a fork until smooth and uniform.
- Open the Costco cordon bleu packs and separate each piece. Pat dry with paper towels to remove any ice crystals.
- Season each piece on both sides with a generous pinch of salt and pepper.
- Working one piece at a time, coat the cordon bleu first in flour, shaking off any excess. This helps the egg wash stick better.
- Next, dip in the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off. Make sure it’s evenly coated.
- Finally, press into the breadcrumbs or panko, turning and packing to fully adhere the crumbs. Set on the prepared baking sheet.
- Repeat with the remaining cordon bleu until all pieces are breaded. Discard any leftover egg wash.
The double layer of breading helps seal in moisture and gives fantastic crunch. Now it’s time to fry up these beauties!
Frying the Cordon Bleu
Pan-frying is the classic way to cook cordon bleu. It takes just 10-15 minutes to go from breaded to golden brown:
- Heat 1-2 inches of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Use enough oil to submerge the cordon bleu halfway.
- Test the oil temperature by adding a few breadcrumbs. It should sizzle gently and bubble around them.
- Gently add 3-4 breaded cordon bleus at a time to the hot oil. Do not crowd the pan.
- Fry for 4-5 minutes on the first side until deeply golden. Flip carefully with tongs.
- Fry another 3-4 minutes on the second side. The center should reach 165°F when tested with a meat thermometer.
- Transfer the fried cordon bleu to a cooling rack or paper towels to drain.
- Repeat with remaining cordon bleu, adjusting heat to maintain the oil temperature.
Frying in batches prevents the oil from cooling down too much. Let the oil return to temperature between batches for best results.
The cordon bleu is done when the meat is cooked through and breading is crispy and browned.
Baking the Cordon Bleu
For a lower fat cooking method, you can also bake breaded cordon bleu:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place breaded cordon bleu on a greased baking sheet or lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- The breading will come out nicely browned and the cheese oozing out is perfectly baked.
- Baking may take a few minutes longer than frying to fully cook the inside.
Baking gives up a bit of the crispy texture but still yields delicious cordon bleu with less oil and mess.
Serving Suggestions
Cordon bleu deserves a bit of finesse for serving. Here are some ideas:
- Slice the fried or baked cordon bleu diagonally into pinwheels to showcase the ham and cheese layers.
- Arrange on a platter with lemon wedges, fresh parsley, sliced tomato, or shaved Parmesan.
- Pair with roasted potatoes, rice pilaf, pasta, or a fresh salad.
- Drizzle with a dijon mustard cream sauce for more elegance.
- Serve with steamed vegetables like asparagus, green beans, or broccoli.
- Garnish the plate with extra slices of lemon.
A squeeze of lemon brightens up the rich flavors of cordon bleu perfectly. Crisp greens, starchy sides, and fresh veggies complement it well.
Storage
Here are some tips for storing leftover cordon bleu:
- Let the cordon bleu cool completely before storing.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Reheat in a 400°F oven until warmed through, about 15 minutes.
- The crispiness of the breading will suffer, so focus on warming the center.
- Cordon bleu also reheats well in the microwave.
- You can freeze cooked cordon bleu for longer storage. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
With proper storage, you can enjoy Costco cordon bleu for several meals throughout the week. The leftovers make quick, delicious lunches and dinners.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making Costco cordon bleu:
Can I prepare the cordon bleu ahead of time?
Yes, you can bread the cordon bleu up to a day in advance. Store breaded pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet or plate lined with parchment and refrigerate. This helps the breading adhere even better. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before frying.
How long does it take to cook the cordon bleu?
From frozen, expect the cordon bleu to take 15-20 minutes in the oven at 400°F or 8-12 minutes pan-fried per batch. Thawed cordon bleu cooks slightly quicker. The thickest part should reach 165°F.
What sides go well with cordon bleu?
Buttery mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice pilaf and roasted vegetables are all excellent pairings. A fresh green salad also balances the richness nicely.
Can I use pork or veal instead of chicken?
Chicken cordon bleu is most common, but pork and veal cutlets also work wonderfully. Pound them thin before breading. Adjust cook times as the thickness changes.
What dipping sauces work with cordon bleu?
Lemon wedges, dijon mustard, barbecue sauce, marinara, ranch and tangy honey mustard are all great dipping sauce options for the fried cutlets.
Conclusion
Cooking restaurant-worthy cordon bleu at home is easy thanks to convenient pre-made entrees from Costco. With just a few extra ingredients and some simple breading and frying techniques, you can enjoy this French classic any night of the week. Crispy, crunchy breading encases the savory ham and melted cheese filling for total comfort and satisfaction. Serve slices of the fried cutlets alongside bright lemon wedges and your favorite starchy sides and veggies. Leftovers also reheat beautifully for lunches or quick dinners later in the week. Master this recipe, and cordon bleu can become a regular staple your family will request again and again.
