What to Serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu: 35+ Easy Side Dishes
Wondering what to serve with chicken cordon bleu? I have some great side dishes that will truly make your dinner feel extra special.
This crunchy, cheesy chicken plate deserves some fine friends on your table! I will show you how to pair creamy potatoes with crisp salads for the perfect meal.
After many years of cooking this old favorite for my family, I found the top sides that lift its great taste.
Let us find these yummy picks that make your chicken cordon bleu a night to remember.
What is Chicken Cordon Bleu?
If you never had this French dish, you will get a treat! It is just a chicken breast filled with ham and cheese and then dipped in crispy breadcrumbs. I love that the cheese melts soft while the outside always remains crunchy.
What to Serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu?
You can enjoy creamy sauces or crisp veggies as many side dishes exist. I will share my best sides that I tested over the years. Choose and combine these sides to craft your perfect plate whether you desire something light and crisp or rich and smooth.
Sauces
Every chicken cordon bleu needs a delicious sauce! These creamy and flavorful options will take your dish to the next level. I always make extra sauce because my family loves to drizzle it over everything on their plates.
- Dijon Cream Sauce: A velvety blend of cream and tangy Dijon mustard that perfectly complements the chicken. I remember the first time I made this – my kids actually asked to lick their plates!
- Classic Béarnaise Sauce: Buttery and rich with fresh tarragon that adds a fancy touch. The herbs bring out the chicken’s flavor, and I think you will enjoy it too.
- Mushroom Sauce: Earthy mushrooms swimming in a creamy sauce that’s pure comfort food. My go-to trick is using both button and baby portobello mushrooms for extra flavor. It’s like a warm hug for your chicken!
- Hollandaise Sauce: Bright, lemony, and smooth as silk. This classic sauce brings a touch of sunshine to your plate. I love how it adds a bit of zing without overpowering the chicken.
Potato Dishes
Who doesn’t love potatoes with their chicken? These creamy and crispy spuds are perfect for soaking up all those yummy sauces.
- Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes: Creamy, fluffy clouds of potato heaven! I add warm milk and plenty of butter for the smoothest texture. My secret? Heating the milk first makes it extra silky. Everyone always begs for seconds.
- Crispy Parmesan Potatoes: Golden-brown cubes tossed with garlic and parmesan cheese until they’re perfectly crunchy outside and tender inside. These disappeared in minutes at my last dinner party! The cheese creates an amazing crust.
- Duchess Potatoes: Fancy swirls of piped mashed potatoes with a crispy outside and soft center. They look super impressive on the plate! I love making these when I want to feel like a fancy restaurant chef.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Cubes of sweet potato glazed with maple syrup and a pinch of cinnamon. The sweet combo is unbeatable! They add such beautiful colors to your chicken cordon bleu plate.
Fresh Salads
Let’s balance out that rich chicken with some crisp, fresh salads! These options add color, crunch, and bright flavors to your plate.
- Caesar Salad: Crisp romaine tossed in creamy dressing with crunchy croutons and fresh parmesan shavings. I always make extra croutons because they’re everyone’s favorite part. The garlic kick is perfect!
- Lettuce Salad with Italian Dressing: Fresh, crispy lettuce leaves drizzled with zesty Italian dressing and topped with cherry tomatoes. Simple but so refreshing! Sometimes the simplest things taste the best.
- Arugula Salad with Parmesan: Peppery arugula leaves topped with shaved parmesan and a light lemon dressing. The bite of the greens perfectly cuts through the richness of the chicken cordon bleu.
- Greek Salad: Chunky cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese tossed in olive oil and oregano. Every fork-full is like a trip to the Mediterranean! So fresh and satisfying.
- Apple Walnut Salad: Crisp apple slices and toasted walnuts over mixed greens with a honey vinaigrette. The sweet-tart apples and crunchy nuts make this salad extra special and seasonal.
Vegetable Side Dishes
Adding veggies to your plate makes the meal complete! I’ve got two fantastic ways to cook them – roasting and sautéing. Each method brings out different flavors that’ll make you actually crave your vegetables.
Roasted Vegetables
There’s something magical about roasting that makes veggies taste like candy. I crank up the oven and let it work its magic. The caramelized edges are my favorite part!
- Honey Glazed Carrots: Sweet baby carrots roasted with honey and butter until they shine. My kids think these are vegetable candy! The natural sweetness comes out even more with roasting.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic: Tender sprouts caramelized with balsamic vinegar until their edges get crispy. I used to hate Brussels sprouts until I tried them this way – now I can’t get enough!
- Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Butter: Fresh asparagus spears drizzled with lemon butter and roasted until tender-crisp. The citrus brightens everything up. It’s like spring on a plate!
- Roasted Sugar Snap Peas: Crispy peas tossed with olive oil and sea salt, then roasted until they’re slightly charred. They pop in your mouth like nature’s candy. So much better than frozen!
Sauteed Vegetables
Quick, easy, and full of flavor – that’s what you get with sauteed veggies. I love how fast these come together when I’m in a hurry to get dinner on the table.
- Green Beans Almondine: Fresh green beans tossed with toasted almonds and garlic butter. The nutty crunch takes plain beans to the next level. It’s my go-to veggie side for chicken dinners.
- Sauteed Spinach: Fresh spinach wilted in olive oil with garlic and a splash of lemon. It cooks down so much that I always make extra. Simple but absolutely delicious!
- Sauteed Broccoli: Bright green florets sauteed with garlic and finished with parmesan cheese. The cheese gets a bit crispy on the edges – that’s the best part! My family devours this.
- Sauteed Peas: Sweet garden peas quickly cooked with butter and a touch of mint. They taste just like spring! I keep frozen peas on hand just for this quick side dish.
Pasta and Noodles
Nothing fills out a plate like a delicious pasta side! These options are total crowd-pleasers. I love how they soak up all the tasty sauce from the chicken. Plus, they’re so easy to make!
- Creamy Alfredo Pasta: Fettuccine coated in rich, homemade alfredo sauce with lots of parmesan. The silky sauce hugs every noodle perfectly. My kids scrape their plates clean when I make this!
- Garlic Butter Noodles: Simple egg noodles tossed in garlicky butter and fresh parsley. Sometimes the simplest dishes taste the best! I always sneak a few bites while I’m cooking.
- Pesto Pasta: Tender pasta swirled with bright basil pesto and pine nuts. The fresh herb flavor cuts through the richness of the chicken perfectly. It adds such beautiful color too!
- Sun Dried Tomato Pasta: Pasta tossed with sweet sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, and fresh basil. The tomatoes add little bursts of intense flavor. It’s like a trip to Italy on your plate!
- Zucchini Noodles: Light and fresh zucchini spirals sautéed with garlic and herbs. When I want to keep things lighter, these are my go-to. They twirl around your fork just like regular pasta!
Rice and Grain Dishes
Want something to soak up all that delicious sauce? These dishes are perfect! They’re filling, tasty, and so versatile. I never skip these grain side dishes with my chicken cordon bleu plate.
- Garlic Butter Rice: Fluffy white rice cooked in broth and tossed with golden garlic butter. Such a simple upgrade from plain rice! The garlic butter makes everything better.
- Pesto Couscous: Tiny couscous pearls flecked with bright green pesto and toasted pine nuts. It cooks in just 5 minutes! I love how fast this comes together on busy nights.
- Creamy Parmesan Risotto: Rich, creamy rice slowly cooked with white wine and parmesan. Yes, it takes some stirring, but it’s worth every minute! The ultimate comfort food side dish.
Bread and Rolls
Don’t forget the bread basket! There’s nothing better than having something to soak up those delicious sauces. These options will add that perfect finishing touch to your chicken cordon bleu.
- French Bread: Crusty outside, soft inside, and still warm from the oven. I love picking up fresh bread from my local bakery. The aroma fills my whole kitchen when I warm it up!
- Crusty Sourdough Bread: Chewy slices with that distinctive tangy flavor and crunchy crust. Perfect for soaking up every last drop of sauce. My family fights over the end pieces!
- Homemade Dinner Rolls: Soft, buttery rolls that pull apart into perfect, fluffy bites. The smell of this baking brings everyone to the kitchen. I always make a double batch.
- Butter Croissants: Light, flaky layers that practically melt in your mouth. I warm them up for just a minute before serving. They make any dinner feel extra special!
Cheesy and Creamy Sides
When you want pure comfort food, these rich and creamy sides hit the spot! They’re my go-to choices for making the meal feel extra special.
- Mac and Cheese: Gooey cheese sauce coating every pasta curve, topped with crispy breadcrumbs. Pure comfort in every bite! Even the adults can’t resist stealing bites from the kids.
- Sweet Corn Pudding: Creamy, sweet corn casserole that’s between a pudding and souffle. It’s like sunshine on your chicken plate! My grandma’s recipe is still the best I’ve ever had.
- Creamed Spinach: Fresh spinach in a rich, garlicky cream sauce that even veggie-haters love. It’s like eating velvet! The perfect way to sneak in some greens.
- Green Bean Casserole: Tender green beans in mushroom sauce topped with crispy onions. This retro classic never gets old! I add extra crispy onions because they’re everyone’s favorite part.
- Cheesy Cauliflower Bake: Roasted cauliflower smothered in cheese sauce and baked until bubbly. A lighter alternative to potatoes but just as satisfying! The crispy top is irresistible.
Final Thoughts
After years of serving chicken cordon bleu, I’ve learned that the right sides can turn this classic dish into an unforgettable meal.
Mix and match these options based on what you’re craving! For a balanced plate, I usually pick one creamy side and one lighter option.
Most of these sides can be made ahead. I often prep my veggies and sauces in the morning, then just finish them up while the chicken rests. This makes dinner time so much easier!
Want to switch things up with the seasons? Try roasted root vegetables in fall, fresh asparagus in spring, or light salads in summer. Trust your taste buds and have fun creating your perfect combination!
