Dinners

Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu Meatloaf Recipe for Dinner

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

This Chicken Cordon Bleu Meatloaf transforms a classic dinner dish into a comforting, all-in-one baked meal. It’s a perfect example of easy recipes that don’t skimp on flavor, combining seasoned ground chicken, savory ham, and melty Swiss cheese. Topped with a tangy honey mustard glaze, this simple comfort food comes together with minimal prep for maximum weeknight satisfaction. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that makes family dinners effortless and delicious.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re searching for easy recipes that deliver restaurant-quality flavor at home, you’ve found a winner. I’m Betty, and here at Betty Cooks, I specialize in turning classic dishes into simple comfort food that anyone can make. This meatloaf is the perfect solution for busy evenings when you want something hearty without spending hours in the kitchen.

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What makes this one of my favorite easy recipes? First, it uses convenient ground chicken, which cooks evenly and stays wonderfully moist. Second, it incorporates all the beloved elements of Chicken Cordon Bleu—the ham, the Swiss cheese, that signature tangy sauce—but in a streamlined, fuss-free format. The result is a cozy, cheesy masterpiece that feels special but requires everyday ingredients and simple techniques. It’s the kind of meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

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What is Chicken Cordon Bleu Meatloaf?

This dish is a brilliant mashup that takes the core flavors of the elegant French classic—chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese—and reimagines them as a humble, home-style meatloaf. Instead of pounding and stuffing chicken breasts, we mix ground chicken with diced ham and shredded cheese, then bake it into a tender, savory loaf. A glossy honey mustard glaze brushed on top during the last few minutes of baking adds the final touch of sweetness and tang that makes the original so irresistible.

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It’s a fantastic way to enjoy those familiar, comforting tastes in a new, incredibly easy form. This recipe proves that you don’t need complicated steps to create a memorable dinner recipe that the whole family will adore.

Recipe Ingredients and Simple Swaps

The beauty of this ground chicken recipe lies in its adaptability. While the combination of chicken, ham, and Swiss is classic, don’t hesitate to make it your own based on what you have on hand or your family’s preferences.

Protein: Ground chicken keeps things light, but ground turkey or even a lean ground pork blend would work beautifully. Breadcrumbs: Panko gives a light texture, but regular breadcrumbs or even crushed crackers are fine substitutes. Cheese: While Swiss is traditional, Gruyère would be luxurious, and mozzarella or provolone would offer a milder, super-melty alternative. The Glaze: If you’re out of honey mustard, a mix of Dijon mustard and a touch of honey or maple syrup works in a pinch.

How to Achieve Perfect Results

Mastering this simple comfort food is all about a few key techniques. First, don’t overmix the meatloaf ingredients. Gently combine everything until just incorporated—overworking can lead to a dense, tough loaf. Letting the breadcrumbs soak in the milk for a few minutes first is a non-negotiable step; it ensures they blend seamlessly into the mixture, acting as a binder and keeping the meatloaf incredibly moist.

Second, use a meat thermometer. Baking until the internal temperature reaches 165°F is the only surefire way to know it’s perfectly cooked and safe to eat, yet still juicy. Finally, that crucial rest time after baking allows the juices to redistribute. Slicing it too soon means those delicious juices will end up on your cutting board instead of in every bite.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

This meatloaf is a complete meal centerpiece. For a traditional comfort food plate, pair it with creamy mashed potatoes and steamed green beans or roasted asparagus. It also slices beautifully for sandwiches the next day—just pop a cold slice between two pieces of bread with a little extra mustard.

To store, let the meatloaf cool completely, then wrap slices or the whole loaf tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat slices gently in a 350°F oven or air fryer until warmed through to maintain the best texture. You can also freeze the baked and cooled meatloaf (whole or sliced) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! You can assemble the meatloaf mixture, press it into the loaf pan, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it goes into the oven cold.

What’s the best way to get clean slices? A sharp, serrated knife works wonders. Make sure the meatloaf has rested for the full 10 minutes to allow it to set up, which makes slicing much cleaner.

Can I make this without a loaf pan? Yes! You can form the mixture into a free-form loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This will give you more surface area for the cheesy glaze to caramelize.

Notes & Tips

For a Crispier Top: After adding the final cheese topping, switch the oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Gluten-Free Option: Use certified gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
Extra Flavor: Add 1 teaspoon of dried thyme or 2 teaspoons of fresh chopped herbs like parsley or chives to the meat mixture.
Don’t Have Honey Mustard? Whisk together 3 tablespoons of Dijon mustard with 1 tablespoon of honey for a quick substitute.

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Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu Meatloaf Recipe for Dinner

Chicken Cordon Bleu Meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food that combines the classic flavors of chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese in an easy, family-friendly dinner recipe.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Dinners
Cuisine: American
Keywords: cheesy recipes, chicken recipes, comfort food, dinner recipes, easy recipes, ground chicken recipes
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Betty

Ingredients

For the Meatloaf

  • 1 1/2 lbs ground chicken
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup diced ham
  • 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

For the Topping

  • 1/2 cup honey mustard
  • 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
  • 1/4 cup cooked ham, diced (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Meatloaf

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a small bowl, combine panko and milk. Let sit for 5 minutes to soften.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, soaked panko, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  4. Fold in diced ham and shredded Swiss cheese until evenly distributed.
  5. Press mixture into prepared loaf pan, shaping into an even loaf.

Bake

  1. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  2. Remove from oven and spread honey mustard evenly over the top. Sprinkle with remaining Swiss cheese and optional ham.
  3. Return to oven for 5–7 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  4. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

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