Pairing the perfect side dish with Cordon Bleu can elevate the entire dining experience. This classic dish, consisting of chicken filling wrapped in Swiss cheese and a delicious batter, is a favorite among both adults and children globally. Whether you’re looking to complement its rich flavors or add some contrast, we’ve got you covered with our list of top 15 side dishes that pair incredibly well with Cordon Bleu.
Zucchini Fries
Ditching traditional French fries, consider serving zucchini fries as a lighter side dish option with your chicken Cordon Bleu. This dish typically involves deep-frying the chicken in a generous amount of batter and fat, resulting in a substantial increase in carbs and calories. If you’re looking to balance out the richness of the meal, zucchini offers a healthier alternative to regular fries.
You can either enjoy sliced zucchini as part of a salad or give them a crispy twist by coating them in a light batter and baking them for a few minutes. This simple preparation yields tender and crunchy zucchini fries with significantly fewer calories. By opting for oven-baked zucchini fries, you avoid the need to submerge them in hot oil, making it an effortless and guilt-free addition to your meal.
Fresh Salad
Known for its versatility, a freshly prepared salad makes an excellent side dish that complements a wide range of main meals, such as Cordon Bleu. One of the reasons it pairs well with this rich chicken dish is that you can customize it by adding your favorite vegetables and salad dressing. Furthermore, incorporating some fruit into your salad will introduce a slightly tangy flavor, which helps balance out the hearty flavors of the Cordon Bleu.
Additionally, the lightness of a salad ensures that you won’t feel overwhelmed with all the carbs and proteins from this dish.
Roasted Carrots
Adding variety to your meals is essential, especially when it comes to sides that complement main courses. Carrots aren’t just a simple snack when raw; they can also be transformed into a mouthwatering side dish by cooking them. When combined with the rich flavors of chicken Cordon Bleu, roasted carrots elevate the entire meal, offering both health benefits and added taste.
For an even more exciting twist, try caramelizing your carrots – it’s a versatile technique that allows you to customize the flavor according to your preferences. Feel free to experiment by adding garlic, bitter notes, or different herbs to create a unique blend of tastes. This not only adds interest to your side dish but also injects a vibrant splash of color onto your plate with their bright orange hue.
Mushroom Risotto
Gathering inspiration for your next special occasion? Look no further than pairing Cordon Bleu with a mouth-watering mushroom risotto. This creamy side dish is the perfect accompaniment to elevate your meal from standard to truly elegant. The rich flavors of the mushrooms complement the chicken in Cordon Bleu beautifully, creating a harmonious balance of tastes.
Furthermore, the addition of truffles can add an extra touch of luxury, making it an ideal option for serving to family and friends alike. Whether you’re looking to impress or simply want to indulge in a satisfying meal, mushroom risotto is sure to elevate your Cordon Bleu experience.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Just beyond the traditional Christmas season, Brussels sprouts are deserving of more attention and experimentation. While some people may not be fond of their taste, the flavor of these green vegetables undergoes a remarkable transformation when they’re roasted gently. Rich in vitamin C and K as well as fiber, Brussels sprouts make an excellent side dish for Cordon Bleu.
The nutty flavor of the sprouts pairs particularly well with the chicken taste of the Cordon Bleu, resulting in a harmonious balance of flavors. You can also elevate your Brussels sprouts by wrapping them in cheese or bacon to add extra depth to their flavor. Furthermore, roasted Brussels sprouts are quick and easy to prepare, allowing you to throw them together in just a few minutes.
Balsamic Green Beans
Today, you can enjoy the delightful combination of green beans with Cordon Bleu in various ways, but we particularly recommend adding some balsamic vinegar to give it a tangy twist. The crunchy texture and vibrant color that green beans bring to your chicken dish are undeniable benefits, allowing you to use as much or as little balsamic dressing as you prefer.
Notably, this recipe offers more than just green beans – it’s also accompanied by sautéed onions and chicken broth, all of which blend harmoniously with the sweetness of sugar. These simple yet effective ingredients transform your ordinary green beans into a perfectly complementary side dish for chicken Cordon Bleu.
Mashed Potatoes
Culinary versatility is one of the defining characteristics of mash as a side dish, effortlessly complementing a wide range of main meals. This includes pairing it with the likes of chicken Cordon Bleu, where its comforting warmth can be fully appreciated. When it comes to preparing mash, you have the option to use fresh potatoes in combination with milk and butter. For added depth of flavor, incorporating garlic and cheese is also a viable approach.
The resulting cheesy mashed potatoes are not only rich and creamy but also form a harmonious pairing with the Gruyère found in Cordon Bleu.
Steamed Broccoli
Often, when it comes to chicken Cordon Bleu, the addition of a variety of vegetables as sides is a popular choice. This versatility allows for an assortment of vibrant colors and textures on the plate, elevating the overall dining experience. One particularly well-suited vegetable option is broccoli, with its delicate flavor that provides a nice contrast to the rich umami taste of Cordon Bleu.
The mildness of the broccoli allows the chicken’s flavors to shine through, making it an excellent accompaniment to this dish. Incorporating different types of broccoli, such as classic sprouts or fine stem varieties, adds another layer of depth and visual appeal to the plate.
Sauces
Considering the versatility of Chicken Cordon Bleu, you don’t necessarily need a large side dish. Instead, opt for your favorite sauces to elevate the flavor of your meal. Options include BBQ sauce and ketchup, as well as classic Dijon mustard sauce, which is often recommended due to its perfect contrast with the gooey cheese and spicy mustard. You can choose any type of mustard that suits your taste, from herb-infused mustard to traditional French Dijon mustard.
These sauces not only complement the chicken flavor but also pair well with other side dishes like steamed broccoli, mashed potatoes, or roasted carrots. By serving these sauces on the side, you’ll add an extra layer of flavor and make your meal even more enjoyable.
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Parmesan Garlic Butter Pasta
You’ll be delighted to know that there’s more to enjoying chicken Cordon Bleu than just eating it on its own. Combining it with cheesy pasta creates a match made in heaven, and the creamy sauce complements the rich cheese in the schnitzel perfectly. One of the best things about this combination is that you can also repurpose any leftover pasta as a main meal for the next day, making it an extremely convenient option.
To make garlic butter pasta with Parmesan cheese, all you need are a few simple ingredients and minimal pots to cook with – making it an ideal side dish to prepare alongside your Cordon Bleu.
Roasted Parsnips
Undoubtedly, one of the most overlooked vegetables in many households are parsnips, yet they can make for a truly fantastic and hearty side dish when served alongside chicken and particularly the indulgent chicken Cordon Bleu. A simple roasting process brings out their natural sweetness, which can be enhanced by the addition of aromatic herbs and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
By preparing your roasted parsnips simultaneously with the chicken Cordon Bleu, you can have everything ready to serve at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Relying on a rich history, Cordon Bleu has been a subject of debate and confusion regarding its origins and composition. Despite its French name, the term ‘Cordon Bleu’ originates from Switzerland, where it was first introduced in the 1940s. The dish gained popularity in Germany, where it became known as a Schnitzel variation. However, it’s essential to note that traditional Cordon Bleu is not vegan due to its inclusion of chicken meat and cheese.
Fortunately, with the advent of plant-based alternatives, one can easily create their own vegan version of this classic dish. Interestingly, while some may associate Cordon Bleu with blue cheese, the truth lies in its Swiss origin, where it’s typically made with Gruyère, a type of Swiss cheese.
Directions
Zeroing in on the perfect dish, why not try selecting one of the recipes listed above? Click on the recipe’s title to be redirected to its corresponding website. From there, you can easily collect all the necessary ingredients and follow the cooking instructions. Finally, sit back, relax, and enjoy your culinary creation – don’t forget to share your thoughts by leaving a review.
