Cordon Bleu Bake (Print)
This twist on a classic includes chicken, ham, cheese, and a rich sauce, all topped with crispy crumbs.
# Ingredients:
→ Foundation
01 -
8 ounces of Swiss cheese slices
02 -
5 cups of pulled or shredded chicken
03 -
9 ounces of black forest ham, sliced into thin strips
→ Creamy Sauce
04 -
6 tablespoons of butter (unsalted)
05 -
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
06 -
1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
07 -
1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)
08 -
½ teaspoon of salt
09 -
3 cups of full-fat milk
10 -
6 tablespoons of regular flour
11 -
¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg (optional)
12 -
¼ teaspoon of cayenne spice (optional)
→ Crunchy Top Layer
13 -
4 tablespoons of softened butter
14 -
1½ cups of Panko crumbs
15 -
Fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped (use if you like)
# Steps:
01 -
Heat your oven to 350°F and grease up a 9x13-inch dish with cooking spray.
02 -
Arrange the chicken on the bottom. Next, scatter the ham evenly, then layer the Swiss cheese.
03 -
Start by melting butter. Toss in seasoning and stir in the flour. Slowly pour in milk, whisking until it thickens, which takes about 4 minutes.
04 -
Spread the warm sauce over the cheese layer. Combine butter and Panko crumbs, then sprinkle the mixture over the top.
05 -
Pop it into the oven and bake it uncovered for 30-40 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let it sit for 5 minutes before cutting into it.
# Notes:
01 -
Let the dish settle so the sauce isn't runny. Make sure the Panko topping gets a nice golden shade for the best crunch.