15 Minute Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

What ingredients are in this 15 minute chicken cordon bleu pasta?

To whip up this shortcut chicken cordon bleu pasta dinner, you’ll need to ensure you have the following ingredients on hand:

• Olive Oil: A versatile cooking oil used for sauteing the chicken and ham. Its mild flavor complements the other ingredients without overpowering them.
• Tyson Fully Cooked Chicken Breast Strips: Pre-cooked and ready to use, these chicken strips significantly reduce cooking time and effort. Ideal for adding protein to the dish quickly. You can also use an equal amount of leftover cooked chicken.
• Cooked Cubed Ham: Another pre-cooked ingredient that adds savory flavor to the dish. Its ready-to-use nature contributes to the quick preparation. Great for using leftover ham, too.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Forms the creamy base of the sauce, lending richness and smooth texture. It balances the flavors of the meats and mustard.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy depth to the sauce, complementing the creamy texture with its robust flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Provides a convenient and quick way to infuse the dish with garlic flavor without the need for peeling and chopping.
• Onion Powder: Offers a subtle, sweet onion flavor that enhances the overall taste without the extra prep work of fresh onions.
• Salt: Used to season the dish, enhancing all the flavors present.
• Black Pepper: Adds a slight heat and complexity to the dish.
• Barilla Ready Pasta Rotini: This pre-cooked pasta is a significant time-saver. It’s ready in minutes and perfect for quick meals, seamlessly integrating with the sauce and other ingredients.
• Shredded Swiss Cheese: Melts into the hot pasta and sauce, providing a mild, nutty flavor and creamy texture.
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Adds a stretchy, melty quality to the dish, enhancing the texture and flavor.
• Breadcrumbs: Offer a crunchy contrast to the creamy pasta, adding texture and a toasty flavor.
• Lemon Juice: An optional ingredient to add a fresh, citrusy brightness, cutting through the richness of the sauce.
• Fresh Chopped Parsley: Used as a garnish, it adds color and a fresh herbal note, contrasting nicely with the creamy, rich flavors of the dish.

Has this recipe changed?

This recipe was originally published in 2015, around the same time Barilla released their Pronto Pasta line. Designed to cook about 50% faster than traditional pasta, Pronto Pasta’s quick cooking feature was the inspiration behind the original dish: a quick and flavorful cordon bleu-themed chicken pasta dinner.

Sadly, Pronto Pasta was discontinued in January 2022, but not without a replacement. Ready Pasta was introduced to take its place, offering an even quicker preparation. This pasta eliminates the need for boiling water, as you can simply microwave it and then it’s ready to serve.

This recipe has now been redeveloped to include Ready Pasta and lots more cordon bleu flavor.

Can you use leftover chicken or ham?

Yes, you can certainly use leftover cooked chicken and ham in this recipe. Just be mindful of any flavors in the leftover meats, as they should complement the mild flavor profile of a cordon bleu dish.

How long is it good for?

Once prepared and cooled, leftover chicken cordon bleu pasta can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Can you freeze it?

Absolutely, the leftovers of this dish can be frozen. Here’s how to do it:

• Allow chicken cordon bleu pasta to cool completely.
• Portion the pasta into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags.
• Leftovers can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

How to reheat chicken cordon bleu pasta

Reheating your leftovers is a breeze and can be done using various cooking devices. Here are step-by-step instructions for each:

Oven

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Transfer leftovers to an oven-safe container and cover with aluminum foil.
• Heat for about 20 minutes or until warmed through.

Toaster Oven

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Transfer leftovers to a toaster oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil.
• Heat for 15-20 minutes, monitoring closely, until warmed through.

Air Fryer

• Set the air fryer to 300°F.
• Place leftovers in an air fryer-safe container.
• Reheat for 3-4 minutes or until desired temperature.

Microwave

• Place leftovers in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a wet paper towel.
• Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring well in between, until the desired temperature is reached.

Note: For reheating after freezing, thaw the dish in the refrigerator overnight. If the pasta seems dry, add a splash of water or cream before reheating.

Notes & tips for this 15 minute dinner

• Normally, I would always recommend shredding your own cheese for optimal taste and meltiness, but to save time, stick to using pre-shredded cheese for this dish (or use some cheese you shredded in advance.)
• If you have the time, you can toast the breadcrumbs for a deeper flavor. To do this, spread the breadcrumbs on a baking sheet in an even layer, then bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or until golden brown.
• I’ve used grilled Tyson chicken breast strips in this recipe and it worked well.
• Although it may seem like it, this is not a sponsored post for Ready Pasta. This is only a fun recipe a fellow pasta and chicken cordon bleu lover was inspired to make based on a convenient product. I hope you like it, too!

Step 1 – Begin by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. As the oil heats, add the pre-cooked chicken and ham to the skillet.

Step 2 – Optional Step: While the meats are warming, microwave the heavy whipping cream in a separate bowl for about 40-60 seconds, stirring at 20-second intervals.

Step 3 – Once the meats are heated, add the warmed heavy whipping cream to the skillet along with Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer for 1-2 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.

Step 4 – While the sauce simmers, prepare the Barilla Ready Pasta Rotini as instructed on the package.

Step 5 – After the pasta is heated, add it to the skillet along with the shredded Swiss and mozzarella cheeses. Stir the mixture until the cheese melts and integrates into the sauce, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 6 – Remove the skillet from heat, and sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top. And for that true cordon bleu flavor, drizzle with lemon juice and garnish with chopped parsley.

Step 7 – Serve and enjoy!