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Chicken Cordon Bleu

Category: Satisfying Main Dishes for Every Occasion

Cheesy baked dish with ham, chicken, and crunchy breadcrumbs. Feeds 6, done in an hour.
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Barbara Chef
Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 19:54:19 GMT
Cheesy Baked Chicken Ham Casserole Highlight
Cheesy Baked Chicken Ham Casserole | cookwithcarla.com

This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole turns fancy French cooking into a cozy family dinner. We've got soft shredded chicken, tasty black forest ham, and gooey Swiss cheese all tucked under a rich creamy sauce with a crunchy Panko layer on top. You'll get all those fancy Cordon Bleu flavors without the fuss of rolling individual portions.

I've made this so many times now and it's become my go-to when I want to wow dinner guests without spending my whole day cooking.

Stellar Ingredients Guide

  • Chicken: Grab a rotisserie chicken to save time and add flavor.
  • Ham: Go for black forest ham for the tastiest results.
  • Swiss Cheese: Get it freshly sliced at the deli counter for the best melt.
  • Dijon Mustard: Gives that zingy kick we all love.
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: Makes that irresistible crispy top layer.
  • Whole Milk: Don't skimp here—it makes the sauce super creamy.

Assembling Your Dish

Base Building:
Spread your shredded chicken evenly as the bottom layer.
Sauce Making:
Pour milk into your roux bit by bit for a silky-smooth texture.
Meat and Cheese Placement:
Arrange ham and cheese in layers so flavors blend nicely as they melt.
Crispy Covering:
Mix butter with Panko to get that gorgeous golden top.
Putting It Together:
Drizzle sauce all over and sprinkle buttery breadcrumbs before baking.
Mouthwatering Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Dish Highlight
Mouthwatering Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Dish | cookwithcarla.com

The tiny pinch of nutmeg in the cream sauce has become my little secret. It gives the whole dish a warm flavor that makes people think they're eating at a fancy restaurant.

Tasty Side Suggestions

This goes great with some oven-roasted asparagus or a fresh green salad to cut through the richness. Steamed broccoli works really well too.

Customization Ideas

Try swapping in Gruyère cheese or tuck in a layer of cooked mushrooms to make it even yummier.

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

Wrap up any extras and pop them in the fridge for up to three days. Warm them in the oven to keep that top nice and crunchy.

I've made tons of casseroles over the years, but this Chicken Cordon Bleu version really stands out with its fancy flavors that never fail to impress. It shows how comfort food can be both classy and simple. Every time I make it, I'm reminded that the best dishes often come from putting a new spin on old favorites.

Homestyle Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Serving Highlight
Homestyle Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Serving | cookwithcarla.com

Recipe FAQs

→ How far in advance can I prep this?
You can put it together the day before and keep in the fridge. If baking straight from cold, bake an extra 10-15 minutes.
→ What type of chicken works?
Rotisserie chicken is super convenient, or you can cook your own and shred it.
→ Is it okay to freeze it?
Sure! Freeze it unbaked for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before popping it in the oven.
→ What are good side dishes?
Try pairing it with roasted broccoli, steamed veggies, or a fresh green salad.
→ Can I substitute the cheese?
Absolutely. While Swiss is classic, Gruyere or provolone taste delicious too.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Tender chicken, ham, and melted cheese in a creamy bake, finished with golden brown breadcrumb topping.

Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
40 min
Total Time
60 min

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary Preferences: ~

Ingredients

→ Main Components

01 8 ounces Swiss cheese, sliced
02 5 cups cooked, shredded chicken
03 9 ounces deli-style black forest ham, cut into thin strips

→ For the Sauce

04 3 cups whole milk
05 6 Tablespoons plain flour
06 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
07 6 Tablespoons butter, unsalted
08 Juice of 1 lemon (optional)

→ Seasonings

09 ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (if you like)
10 1 teaspoon garlic powder
11 ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
12 ½ teaspoon table salt

→ Topping

13 Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
14 4 Tablespoons softened butter
15 1 ½ cups Panko breadcrumbs

Steps

Step 01

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch pan, then layer chicken, ham strips, and cheese slices in it.

Step 02

Whip up a roux by cooking butter and flour, slowly stirring in milk, and add spices. Let thicken in about 4 minutes.

Step 03

Pour the thickened sauce over the pan's layers. Top with a blend of Panko and softened butter.

Step 04

Bake for 30-40 minutes uncovered, till it’s bubbly and golden. Let it sit for 5 minutes before slicing.

Notes

  1. Allow the dish to stand before digging in so the sauce settles.
  2. Make sure the Panko layer gets nicely crispy for best results.
  3. Feel free to tweak the spices to suit your taste.

Required Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowl
  • Small saucepan
  • A whisk

Allergen Information

Double-check every ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Dairy products like milk, cheese, and butter
  • Contains gluten from flour and breadcrumbs