Chicken cordon bleu is a classic dish consisting of a chicken breast stuffed with ham and cheese. It’s then breaded and deep fried to golden perfection, for a comforting meal. Skip all the tedious prep and make it fast with my frozen chicken cordon bleu in the air fryer!
Chicken cordon bleu can be a little tedious (though arguably worth it) to make. That’s because you have to pound out the chicken, stuff and roll it, and then bread and fry it. Whew!
Take all the prep work out by reaching into the freezer instead! Frozen chicken cordon bleu is ready to cook directly from frozen, making this classic dish easy enough even for a weeknight.
There are a few brands that make frozen chicken cordon bleu, with some coming raw and some being pre-cooked. Note that I am using Barber Foods, which is a raw variety.
In fact, in full disclosure, Barber says on the box specifically to not air fry their frozen chicken cordon bleu, but I say I don’t like your rules! Mainly, this is because it is raw chicken and you’re going to need to make sure it’s fully cooked like any other raw chicken. But we’ve got this!
If you do prefer to make a homemade version (not frozen), make sure to check out my Ham and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer – also known as chicken cordon bleu!
Ingredients List
1 frozen cordon bleu chicken breast (such as Barber Foods brand)
Ingredient Tips and Notes
Most grocery stores carry Barber Foods stuffed chicken breasts. Sometimes it is in the poultry section of the main freezer aisles, but I also see it near breaded chicken and burgers, which is often near the meat section of the store
A typical package contains 2 chicken breasts (with a serving being 1). However, wholesale stores like Sam’s or Costco often carry larger quantities
You can cook as many at a time as fit in a single layer in your air fryer’s basket or rack, without altering cooking time
Feel free to use other frozen chicken cordon bleu brands, like Koch Foods Oven Cravers, Pierre, Kirkwood (Aldi), Milford Valley, Costco, or any other brand locally available
If you use pre-cooked chicken cordon bleu, such as Realgood brand, follow the reheat directions (adding 2-3 minutes from frozen) instead of the cooking directions
How to Cook Frozen Chicken Cordon Bleu in Air Fryer
Remove frozen chicken cordon bleu from all packaging and place into your air fryer’s basket or rack face down (the rounded side down)
Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F (or 380°F depending on available settings) for 20 minutes, pausing halfway through to flip them right-side up. Add additional time in small increments if needed until the center of the chicken reaches 165°F, which is very important for food safety, since Barber brand uses raw chicken
Serve with your favorite sides to complete the meal
What to Serve With Chicken Cordon Bleu
Asparagus
Brussels sprouts
Broccoli
Green beans
Carrots
Green salad
Roasted potatoes
Scalloped potatoes
Risotto
Garlic noodles
Rice pilaf
Couscous
Garlic bread
Dinner rolls
Honey mustard sauce
Chardonnay
Amber ale
There are lots of great choices for vegetables, sides, and even drinks that pair well with chicken cordon bleu, whether you’re going for elegant or fast and convenient.
Can I Cook Frozen Chicken Cordon Bleu in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen chicken cordon bleu in the air fryer.
It’s a convenient way to prepare this classic dish without the need for preparation or thawing, and it yields deliciously crispy results.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Frozen Chicken Cordon Bleu in the Air Fryer?
Cooking times may vary depending on the brand and size of your air fryer, as well as the thickness of the chicken cordon bleu. However, as a general guideline, it typically takes about 20-25 minutes at 375°F (190°C) to cook frozen chicken cordon bleu in the air fryer.
Especially if you are using a brand that uses raw chicken, make sure to cook to an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety before consuming.
Do I Need to Preheat the Air Fryer Before Cooking Frozen Chicken Cordon Bleu?
If you do not want to flip the chicken during cooking, then you should preheat your air fryer to eliminate cold spots and ensure a more even cook.
Otherwise, it is not really necessary since flipping the chicken will heat it evenly. The only other advantage is saving a few minutes of cooking time overall, since the time needed accounts for the air fryer getting up to temperature.
Should I Flip the Chicken Cordon Bleu During Cooking?
Flipping the chicken cordon bleu halfway through the cooking process is recommended to ensure even browning and crispiness on all sides.
Use tongs or a spatula to carefully turn the chicken halfway through cooking.
How Do I Know When Frozen Chicken Cordon Bleu is Done Cooking in the Air Fryer?
The chicken cordon bleu is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature at the thickest part of the chicken.
Additionally, the exterior should be golden brown and crispy.
Can I Add Other Ingredients to the Air Fryer Along with the Frozen Chicken Cordon Bleu?
Yes, you can add other ingredients to the air fryer basket alongside the frozen chicken cordon bleu, such as vegetables or potatoes. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket and leave ample space for air flow around the chicken for crispiness.
Additionally, be mindful of the cooking times and adjust as needed to ensure everything is cooked properly.
What Sauce Goes Well with Frozen Chicken Cordon Bleu?
Classic sauces like hollandaise, Dijon mustard cream sauce, swiss cheese sauce, or a simple garlic butter sauce complement frozen chicken cordon bleu nicely.
Consider serving additional sauce on the side for dipping, or over top of your vegetables or starch pairings.
Recipe Pro Tips
It is normal for the chicken to leak slightly, usually some cheese coming out of the top or sides. You can cook on perforated parchment if you want for easier cleanup (but don’t block air flow entirely or the chicken won’t crisp well)
I do not preheat my air fryer for this recipe. If you do, you can generally reduce cooking time by about 2-3 minutes, and you don’t have to flip during cooking (though I still recommend it just to make sure it’s really crispy)
My chicken was fully cooked and verified via instant read thermometer after 23 minutes in a Ninja air fryer. Other brands and models may vary, so adjust as needed for your specific appliance
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store any leftover chicken cordon bleu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I do not recommend refreezing after cooking once, as it gets weird texturally
To reheat chicken cordon bleu, air fry at 350°F for about 5 minutes, until warmed through. If you are reheating a fully cooked chicken cordon bleu (like Realgood brand) from frozen, cook for 8-10 minutes instead, to account for the colder starting temperature
Enjoy a warm, classic stuffed chicken breast in far less time when you make this frozen chicken cordon bleu in your air fryer! It cuts out all that tedious preparation, so all you need to do is reach into the freezer, making it easy enough for a weeknight meal!
The air fryer does an amazing job of getting a crispy, browned exterior on the breading, while keeping the chicken juicy and getting the cheese perfectly melted inside. You don’t need to use any oil like you would in deep frying!
It also cuts off at least 10 minutes of cooking time (not to mention preheating time) compared to a traditional oven for this frozen preparation! I love anything that makes dinner even easier!
Just make sure to bring your thermometer and check to make sure your chicken is fully cooked before you sit down to eat, since most frozen chicken cordon bleu comes with raw chicken to start.
Looking for other flavors of stuffed chicken? Check out my recipe for Aldi Frozen Chicken Kiev in the Air Fryer too!
Frozen Chicken Cordon Bleu in Air Fryer (Barber)
Make frozen chicken cordon bleu in your air fryer for a brown, crispy exterior and juicy chicken with melted cheese inside. It’s ready in under 30 minutes for an easy meal!
1Portionfrozen chicken cordon bleu(such as Barber Foods)
Instructions
Remove frozen chicken cordon bleu from all packaging and place into your air fryer’s basket or rack face down (the rounded side down)
1 Portion frozen chicken cordon bleu
Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F (or 380°F depending on available settings) for 20-25 minutes, pausing halfway through to flip the chicken right-side up. Add additional time in small increments if needed until the center of the chicken reaches 165°F, which is very important for food safety, since Barber brand uses raw chicken
Serve hot, with your favorite sides to complete your meal
Notes
A typical Barber Foods chicken cordon bleu package contains 2 chicken breasts (with a serving being 1). However, wholesale stores like Sam’s or Costco often carry larger quantities. You can cook as many at a time as fit in a single layer in your air fryer’s basket or rack, without altering cooking time
Feel free to use other frozen chicken cordon bleu brands, like Koch Foods Oven Cravers, Pierre, Kirkwood (Aldi), Milford Valley, Costco, or any other brand locally available
If you use pre-cooked chicken cordon bleu, such as Realgood brand, follow the reheat directions below (adding 2-3 minutes from frozen) instead of the cooking directions
The chicken will leak slightly during cooking, usually some cheese coming out of the top or sides. You can use perforated parchment if you want for easier cleanup (but don’t block air flow entirely or the chicken won’t crisp well)
I do not preheat my air fryer for this recipe. If you do, you can generally reduce cooking time by about 2-3 minutes, and you don’t have to flip during cooking (though I still recommend it just to make sure it’s really crispy)
My chicken was fully cooked and verified via instant read thermometer after 23 minutes in a Ninja air fryer. Other brands and models may vary, so adjust as needed for your specific appliance
Store any leftover chicken cordon bleu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I do not recommend refreezing after cooking once, as it gets weird texturally
To reheat chicken cordon bleu, air fry at 350°F for about 5 minutes, until warmed through. If you are reheating a fully cooked chicken cordon bleu (like Realgood brand) from frozen, cook for 8-10 minutes instead, to account for the colder starting temperature
Nutritional values are based on the Barber Foods brand with nothing additional. Different brands, flavors, and any sauces or sides added will alter nutritional values, so please consider this a guideline only
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I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
