Description
Classic chicken cordon bleu casserole delivers comfort and elegance in one hearty dish. Layers of tender chicken, savory ham, and melted Swiss cheese combine with a creamy sauce that you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 5 cups shredded chicken
- 9 ounces (255 grams) sliced deli-style black forest ham, cut into strips (about 9 slices)
- 8 ounces (227 grams) sliced Swiss cheese (about 12 thin slices)
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray, ensuring complete coverage.
- Create a uniform base layer of shredded chicken across the entire dish, spreading evenly to cover the bottom.
- Distribute sliced black forest ham strips over the chicken, covering the entire surface with overlapping pieces.
- Arrange Swiss cheese slices across the ham, allowing edges to slightly overlap for complete coverage.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper to create a flavorful foundation.
- Gradually sprinkle flour into the butter mixture, continuously whisking to form a smooth, thick paste without any lumps.
- Incrementally pour whole milk into the mixture, whisking thoroughly after each addition to maintain a silky consistency.
- Simmer the sauce for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Carefully pour the sauce over the cheese layer, ensuring complete and even distribution throughout the casserole.
- Mix Panko breadcrumbs with softened butter until thoroughly combined, then sprinkle the mixture evenly across the top of the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes until the sauce bubbles and the breadcrumb topping turns golden brown.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, then garnish with chopped parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- Swap chicken with turkey or plant-based alternatives for dietary flexibility and variety.
- Use gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs and flour to create a celiac-friendly version of this comfort dish.
- Reduce sodium by selecting low-sodium ham and minimizing added salt in the sauce preparation.
- Enhance flavor complexity by experimenting with different cheese varieties like Gruyère or provolone for unique taste profiles.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg