Description
This Lightened-Up Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is a healthier twist on the classic chicken cordon bleu. Featuring tender boneless chicken breasts layered with ham and Swiss cheese, all baked in a flavorful, creamy sauce and topped with a crispy breadcrumb and ham crust. Perfect for a comforting family dinner with reduced fat content and easy preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (divided)
Sauce
- 1 can (fat free) cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian blend seasoning
- Pinch of salt & pepper
Layers and Topping
- 6 slices deli ham (divided)
- 6 slices Swiss cheese (divided)
- 1 cup bread crumbs
Instructions
- Prepare and Brown Chicken: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Slice the chicken breast and season both sides evenly with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then brown the chicken slices for about 1 minute on each side, adding extra flavor through caramelization.
- Arrange Chicken in Casserole: Remove the browned chicken from the heat and layer it evenly in the bottom of a casserole dish, forming a solid base for the casserole.
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the fat free cream of chicken soup, milk, and sauce seasonings (paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian blend seasoning, salt, and pepper). Stir continuously until the sauce is fully combined and warmed through. Then remove from heat.
- Layer the Casserole: Pour half of the warm sauce over the chicken layer. Then add half of the deli ham slices, followed by half of the Swiss cheese slices. Pour the remaining sauce evenly on top, then layer the remaining ham and cheese over the sauce.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix the cup of bread crumbs with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and any reserved ham pieces if available. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole to create a crispy crust when baked.
- Bake the Casserole: Bake the assembled casserole in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges, indicating it’s heated through and ready to serve.
Notes
- Using fat free cream of chicken soup helps lower the fat content compared to traditional recipes.
- Lightly browning the chicken adds extra depth of flavor and texture without adding many calories.
- Feel free to substitute Swiss cheese with Gruyère for a slightly different taste.
- For gluten-free version, use gluten-free bread crumbs.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if chilled.
