You have dinner guests coming, and you’re thinking of what to serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu. If so, we’ve rounded up the best side dishes to satisfy your taste buds.
Chicken Cordon Bleu is a classic French dish and is the real meaning of self-indulgence. With every bite of that crunchy exterior, you unravel the tasty juiciness of chicken mixed with the creamy texture of cheese. Though you typically prepare this dish with chicken, cheese, and ham, several variations result in dishes with slightly different tastes.
Side Dishes for Chicken Cordon Bleu
Whichever way you prepare Chicken Cordon Bleu, it serves as a delightful main dish. But after deciding to go with this French showstopper, you’ll begin to wonder about the side dishes that complement its taste.
If you’re unsure what to serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu, here are some great options.
1. Lemon Butter Roasted Asparagus
Your taste buds will love the flavor that comes with the combination of citrusy lemon and salty butter. Imagine those aromas in a stunning saucy asparagus dish paired with crispy Chicken Cordon Bleu. This is one reason why using this as a side dish is fantastic.
Lemon butter roasted asparagus is easy to make. You only need to drizzle oil on the asparagus, add pepper, salt, garlic, and roast for ten minutes. Drizzle lemon juice over the roasted asparagus, and you have a perfect side for the meal.
2. Coleslaw
Mix cabbage and carrot with mayonnaise, and you have a delicacy that can go with your main dish anytime, any day. If you want to add a tangy taste to your mixture, drizzle a little lemon juice into it. You could also substitute the mayonnaise for sour cream and add some fruits to the mix.
As a side dish, coleslaw is the perfect cost-effective option. Incorporating these veggies into your meal is also very healthy. Its crunchy texture makes it an enjoyable choice, even on its own.
3. Grits
An excellent, surprising addition for chicken cordon bleu is grits. These are made by simmering crushed corn in water till it thickens.
Afterward, you top it with butter for a smoother texture and salt to taste. The texture is similar to oatmeal, but the flavor depends on your ingredients.
4. Fresh Salad
Chicken Cordon Bleu is no exception to the rule that salad always serves as a great side dish. To counteract the richness of the Chicken Cordon Bleu, serve it with a salad dressed comprising a tart vinaigrette.
Salad is nutritious. So, you won’t feel as guilty about eating something rich and deep-fried. Both have a wonderful crunch, which makes them a great meal combination.
5. Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes might not be your first option when considering what to serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu. However, these two are a perfect blend.
You can whip up mashed potatoes in minutes, provided you have all the ingredients in place. Also, you can decide to make your recipe unique by using cream instead of milk. Add butter to attain a silkier texture, and top with grated cheese if you don’t mind it a little fattier.
6. Dijon Sauce
When looking for something to serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu, you should choose an easy dish. Preferably one that doesn’t take too much time to prepare. And Dijon sauce may be the answer.
All you need is a little Dijon mustard, butter, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and dried herbs. Whip these together, and voila!
7. Garlic Butter Rice
Chicken Cordon Bleu is high in protein, and a starchy side dish will help balance the meal. When it comes to starch, a plate of fluffy, steaming white rice is hard to beat.
Rice has a mild flavor that contrasts nicely with the umami-ness of this chicken classic. It’s also really satisfying, so it’s a great way to compliment your dinner. Sauté the cooked rice with garlic and butter to add a subtle but satisfying flavor.
8. Broccoli or Broccolini
You can’t go wrong with a dish that’s both nutritious and visually appealing. To counteract the Chicken Cordon Bleu’s rich flavor, you can add some broccoli.
You can dress your broccoli with the Dijon sauce mentioned above, as it will enhance its flavor. If you don’t have broccoli, use broccolini as an alternative, as both will provide you with a similar outcome.
You can also grill your broccoli or broccolini instead of steaming it. In fact, these cruciferous vegetables will be even tastier this way. Broccoli might not be your first option when thinking side dishes for chicken cordon bleu. But it makes for a healthy, flavorful, and colorful side dish.
9. Balsamic-Glazed Green Beans
With the addition of green beans, your Chicken Cordon Bleu meal takes on a new hue and texture all its own. Forget about tenderness when it comes to the green beans. These little green pods are all about the crunch.
In terms of flavor, a balsamic dressing can be used to spruce up plain green beans, making them tastier. Simply bring balsamic vinegar and honey to a boil. Allow the sauce to thicken by simmering for a few minutes, and drizzle over your cooked green beans when ready. Bear in mind that the sauce will thicken more as it cools.
10. Roasted Baby Carrots
Chicken Cordon Bleu is packed with moreish flavors. So, you might want something milder when determining what to serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu.
You can’t go wrong with succulent roasted baby carrots. Chicken Cordon Bleu and carrots complement each other well in flavor, texture, and nutrients. And there isn’t a more satisfying way to cook carrots than by roasting them.
11. Baked Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes will never fail to deliver when deciding on what to serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu. They offer a lovely balance to the richness of the Chicken Cordon Bleu with their mild and sweet flavors.
Plus, they’re a breeze to prepare. Simply wash the potatoes, rub them with butter, wrap them in foil, and place them in the oven to bake.
12. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Many associate brussels sprouts with Christmas dinner, but they’re an excellent accompaniment for any chicken main. They taste heavenly when roasted, like the baby carrots above. And they add an extra layer of nutrients to your meal.
Simply rub the sprouts with olive oil, add salt and pepper to taste, and roast them until they’re soft. Sprinkle them with some parmesan cheese before serving for an extra burst of flavor.
13. Mushroom Risotto
Perhaps you want something more substantial to serve with your Chicken Cordon Bleu. And a hearty mushroom risotto would be the ideal option.
This earthy, creamy meal pairs beautifully with Chicken Cordon Bleu, primarily due to the addition of mushrooms. The combination makes for the perfect meal for a special occasion.
Conclusion
Now you have a few options for the best side dishes to use when determining what to serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu. Select the option that best suits your taste buds and enjoy the praise from your happy dinner guests.