Try Chicken Cordon Bleu Bites for your next game day - they're crispy, filled with chicken, ham, and melted Swiss cheese. Serve them with homemade creamy Dijon sauce for a tasty crowd-pleaser!
Chicken Cordon Bleu Bites
Looking for different ways to cook chicken, especially Chicken Cordon Bleu? Boneless chicken breasts are easy to cook and good for low-fat protein. But sometimes, they're a bit plain. That's where Chicken Cordon Bleu Bites come in - they make chicken exciting!
Don't forget to try our delicious Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole too – it's a crowd-pleaser that's sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection!
You'll Need
- Ground Chicken: If you can't find ground chicken, ground turkey is a great alternative. It's also lean and has a similar texture. You can use either chicken breast or thighs.
- Smoked Ham: This adds a nice depth of flavor. You can substitute with regular cooked ham, deli ham, or for a vegetarian option, use chopped mushrooms sautéed with a bit of liquid smoke for that smoky flavor.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: These spices add great flavor.
- Smoked Paprika: This gives a smoky flavor. If unavailable, regular paprika can be used, though it won’t have the same smokiness. A dash of liquid smoke or a bit of chipotle powder could also work.
- Dried Thyme: Adds a herby touch. Substitute with dried oregano or basil if thyme isn’t available.
- Salt and Pepper: Adjust these to taste.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy flavor. You can use yellow mustard if you prefer a milder taste or even honey mustard for a sweeter note.
- Eggs: These help to bind the mixture. For an egg-free version, use a commercial egg replacer.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: If you don’t have Panko, regular bread crumbs will work. For a gluten-free option, use crushed gluten-free cereal or bread.
- Swiss Cheese: This is for the cheesy center. Feel free to substitute with other cheeses like mozzarella or cheddar.
- Cooking Spray: Used to prevent sticking and help in browning.
- Additional Panko Bread Crumbs for Coating (Optional): This extra coating adds more crunch. You can also use crushed crackers or cornflakes for a different texture.
How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Bites in Air Fryer
Combine ground chicken, finely chopped ham, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, and eggs in a large bowl. Gradually mix in the bread crumbs, bit by bit, until you can shape the mixture into balls without it sticking.
Take the chicken mixture and form it around cubes of cheese, shaping them into balls about 2 inches in diameter. As you form each ball, place them on a plate.
Optional: Roll the meatballs in Panko bread crumbs for a crispy coating. Then, preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
Place half of the chicken meatballs in the air fryer basket, spacing them out for good air flow. Spray them generously with non-stick cooking spray. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning them over halfway through. After flipping, spray again with the cooking spray, and keep cooking until they are fully cooked.
Transfer the cooked meatballs to a serving plate. Repeat the cooking steps with the rest of the meatballs.
Serve them hot with Dijon Cream sauce.
Pro Tips
- Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality ground chicken and fresh ham for the best flavor. The better the ingredients, the tastier your bites will be.
- Cheese Choices: While Swiss cheese is traditional for Chicken Cordon Bleu, feel free to experiment with different types of cheese like Gruyère or Emmental for a different taste profile.
- Even Sizing: Try to make each bite the same size for even cooking.
- Don't Overcrowd the Air Fryer: Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Proper air circulation is key to getting a crispy exterior.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Let Them Rest: Allow the bites to rest for a couple of minutes after cooking. This helps the cheese set slightly and makes them easier to handle.
Storage Reheating Tips
To store leftovers, keep the chicken bites in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
For reheating, note that the chicken won't be as crispy, especially if microwaved. To regain some crispiness, reheat them in your air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 2-3 minutes. Since they are already cooked, you're just warming them up.
Since they're small, they'll heat up fast. Be careful not to overheat them to prevent drying out.
Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
We love to serve our Chicken Cordon Bleu Bites with the creamy Dijon sauce from our Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole recipe, or you can opt for a classic Honey Mustard Sauce. Making Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce is quite simple and requires just a few ingredients. Here's a basic recipe:
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise or sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice (optional, for a bit of tang)
- Salt and pepper to taste
In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- Dipping Sauces: Offer a selection of dipping sauces like honey mustard, Wingstop Ranch, garlic aioli, or a Spicy Mayo to cater to different tastes.
- Roasted Vegetables: Serve alongside roasted vegetables like Brussels Sprouts, Asparagus, or baby potatoes for a hearty and nutritious side.
- Bread Basket: Offer a basket of assorted breads, like garlic bread or dinner rolls, to complete the meal.
- Pasta Salad: A cold pasta salad with a vinaigrette dressing can be a refreshing and filling side dish.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Mayo
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
If you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! I will be happy to hear from you!
Chicken Cordon Bleu Bites
Ingredients
Chicken Cordon Bleu Bites
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ cup smoked ham
- 1 teaspoon EACH: garlic powder onion powder
- ½ teaspoon EACH: smoked paprika and dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 large egg
- ¾ cup Panko bread crumbs
- 8 ounces Swiss cheese cut into ½ inch cubes
- Cooking spray
For Coating ( Optional)
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
Serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the GROUND CHICKEN, finely chopped HAM, GARLIC POWDER, ONION POWDER, SMOKED PAPRIKA, THYME, SALT, PEPPER, DIJON MUSTARD and EGGS. Gradually add the BREAD CRUMBS, adding them bit by bit until the mixture loses its stickiness and you can easily shape it into balls.
- Take the chicken mixture and form it around cubes of CHEESE, shaping into balls approximately 2 inches in diameter. Place these balls onto a plate as you go.
- Optional: coat the meatballs in Panko bread crumbs.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Place half of the chicken meatballs in the air fryer basket, arranging them evenly to ensure proper air circulation. Apply a generous coating of non-stick cooking spray over the meatballs. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking process. After flipping, spray again with non-stick cooking spray, and continue cooking until fully cooked through.
- Transfer them to a serving plate. Repeat the cooking process with the remaining batch of the meatballs.
- Serve hot with Dijon Cream sauce.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Bites
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ cup smoked ham
- 1 teaspoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder
- ½ teaspoon EACH: smoked paprika and dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 large egg
- ¾ cup Panko bread crumbs
- 8 ounces Swiss cheese, cut into ½ inch cubes
- Cooking spray
For Coating ( Optional)
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
Notes
Storage & Reheating
- To store leftovers, keep in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3months.
- For reheating, note that the chicken won't be as crispy, especially if microwaved. To regain some crispiness, reheat them in your air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 2-3 minutes. Since they are already cooked, you're just warming them up.
Nutrition
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Matt says
These were perfect for my appetizer spread! Crispy on the outside and packed with ham, chicken, and cheese inside. Everyone loved them!
Tatiana says
Matt, that’s amazing! So glad the bites were a hit. They’re one of my favorites too!