If you’re a fan of cheesy, savory comfort food with a little twist, the Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe absolutely deserves a place on your dinner table. It’s got all the sophistication of the classic French dish—tender chicken, savory ham, plenty of melty Swiss cheese—but instead of stuffing and rolling each piece (and making a mess of your kitchen!), everything gets layered and baked together in one glorious, crowd-pleasing dish. Rich, creamy sauce and a crunchy panko topping round it out, making this casserole a surefire hit from weeknights to family gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this dish is thoughtfully selected to bring out that signature cordon bleu flavor, right down to the crispy golden topping. You probably have most of these in your kitchen already, which makes this recipe even more irresistible for busy cooks. Here’s what you’ll need and why:
- Cooked chicken breast (3 cups, shredded or chopped): The hearty and protein-rich base of the casserole; leftovers or rotisserie chicken work beautifully here.
- Deli ham (6 oz, diced): Brings a lovely salty and smoky depth that plays beautifully with the cheese.
- Swiss cheese (2 cups, shredded): Melts beautifully and delivers the signature creamy, nutty flavor classic to cordon bleu.
- Unsalted butter (4 tablespoons): The start of a luscious, homemade sauce; using unsalted lets you control the seasoning.
- All-purpose flour (1/4 cup): Thickens the sauce, turning it into the creamy blanket that ties the casserole together.
- Milk (2 cups): Provides richness and body to the sauce; whole or 2% both work well.
- Dijon mustard (1 tablespoon): Adds that tangy, sharp kick that unmistakably says “cordon bleu.”
- Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): Layers in savory notes without overpowering the other flavors.
- Onion powder (1/2 teaspoon): Subtly sweet and aromatic; a flavor enhancer you can’t skip.
- Salt and black pepper (to taste): Balances and brightens—you won’t need much with the ham and cheese!
- Panko breadcrumbs (1 cup): These create an irresistible crunchy top, lighter and crisper than regular breadcrumbs.
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons): Helps the panko brown up nice and golden in the oven.
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional): Adds a pop of fresh color and a subtle brightness to finish.
How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dish
Set yourself up for success by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This ensures nothing sticks and your casserole will come out neatly sliced and gorgeous every time.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter until it’s bubbling. Whisk in the flour and keep it moving for a minute or two, just until it turns golden and starts to smell lightly nutty. Slowly add the milk, whisking all the while to avoid any lumps. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens—as it simmers, you’ll know it’s ready when it coats the back of a spoon. Now, stir in the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Remove from the heat and get ready for layering magic!
Step 3: Layer Chicken, Ham, and Cheese
Scatter the cooked, shredded chicken evenly in the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the diced deli ham over the chicken, then cover everything with a generous layer of shredded Swiss cheese. This trio forms the soul of every Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe, so don’t skimp!
Step 4: Pour on the Sauce
Pour the sauce you just made evenly over all the layers in your dish. Use a spatula or spoon to nudge it gently into the corners. You want every nook and cranny to get a taste of that creamy goodness—it’s what makes the casserole so luscious and cohesive.
Step 5: Add the Crunchy Topping
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil until every crumb glistens. Sprinkle this mixture over the casserole in an even layer. This is your crunchy crown: it’ll bake up golden, crisp, and downright irresistible.
Step 6: Bake to Bubbly Perfection
Slide the whole dish into your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the casserole is bubbling at the edges and the top is beautifully golden brown. Let it rest for about five minutes before serving—this helps everything set up just right, so you get perfect, tidy squares.
How to Serve Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
A generous sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley just before serving does wonders for both flavor and color, making your Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe look and taste fresh-from-the-bistro. For a sharper finish, a light sprinkle of grated Parmesan is also delightful.
Side Dishes
This casserole is rich and creamy, so it pairs beautifully with light, simple side dishes like a crisp green salad, roasted asparagus, or light lemony green beans. If you’re in the mood for cozy comfort, buttery mashed cauliflower or fluffy rice are classic partners as well.
Creative Ways to Present
For a standout dinner party presentation, bake and serve your Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe in individual ramekins for personal pot pies. Or, scoop it into lettuce cups for a lighter, hand-held appetizer twist. Even leftovers make terrific fillings for wraps or baked potatoes if you’re feeling playful the next day!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover casserole stores beautifully. Simply transfer any cooled extras into airtight containers and refrigerate—they’ll stay fresh for up to three days. The sauce may thicken a bit as it sits, but the flavors only deepen, making those next-day bites even more delicious.
Freezing
This delicious dish is a freezer-friendly wonder. Assemble the Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe (but wait to add the panko topping until bake time), cover tightly with foil, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, add your panko, and bake as usual for a fuss-free meal any night of the week.
Reheating
For best results, reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven, covered with foil for about 15 to 20 minutes, then uncover for the last 5 minutes to keep that panko topping crisp. You can also microwave individual portions, though the topping may soften a bit. Either way, it reheats like a dream!
FAQs
Can I substitute another cheese for Swiss?
Absolutely! Gruyère or even provolone work well in this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe if you want something a little different. Just choose a cheese that melts nicely and isn’t too sharp to keep that classic flavor profile.
Can I use leftover turkey instead of chicken?
Yes, cooked turkey is a fantastic swap, especially around the holidays! This recipe is a wonderful way to reinvent leftovers into something more exciting than another turkey sandwich.
Is this casserole gluten free?
With a few tweaks, you can easily make it gluten free! Use a one-to-one gluten free flour blend for the sauce and swap the panko crumbs for your favorite gluten free alternative or crushed rice crackers.
How do I make it more low-carb?
This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe is already fairly low in carbs, but you could skip the panko or use a finely chopped nut mixture on top for bonus protein and crunch with fewer carbs.
Can I assemble this casserole ahead of time?
Definitely! You can assemble all but the topping the day before, then cover and refrigerate. Add the breadcrumb topping just before baking so it stays crisp.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a cozy, satisfying meal with the wow factor of a classic French favorite, you’ve simply got to give this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe a try. It’s the kind of feel-good dish that brings everyone to the table, and I can promise you there won’t be a crumb left. Enjoy every last bite!
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Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the comforting flavors of a classic Chicken Cordon Bleu in casserole form with this easy recipe. Layers of tender chicken, savory ham, and gooey Swiss cheese are baked to perfection with a creamy sauce and crispy breadcrumb topping.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
Ham:
- 6 oz deli ham, diced
Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Topping:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Garnish:
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Make the sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, then slowly add milk while stirring. Cook until thickened, then season with mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the casserole: Layer chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese in the baking dish. Pour the sauce over the top.
- Add the topping: Mix panko breadcrumbs with olive oil and sprinkle over the casserole.
- Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let it rest before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked turkey for chicken.
- Add grated Parmesan to the topping for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
