The origin of chicken cordon bleu likely came from a dish called veal kiev, which came about in Paris circa the late 1840s. The dish called for veal dredged in breadcrumbs and fried. It was then adapted in Moscow where veal was swapped for chicken.

Who invented the cordon bleu?

What's surprising is that le cordon bleu dates back to the 16th century when King Henry III of France created the l'Ordre des Chevaliers du Saint Esprit (Order of the Knights of the Holy Spirit).

When was cordon bleu popular?

The dish was extremely popular throughout the 1960s and 70s and, in fact, April 4 is National Cordon Bleu Day.