Description
A creamy, cheesy chicken cordon bleu casserole that combines chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese in a rich sauce, baked to golden perfection. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s perfect for easy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (about 1 lb)
- 1 ½ cups ham, diced (about 8 oz)
- 1 ½ cups Swiss cheese, shredded (about 5 oz)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (about 3/4 oz)
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (about 0.85 oz)
- 2 cups whole milk (16 fl oz)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Black pepper to taste
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (about 1 oz)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Dice ham, shred or chop cooked chicken, and shred Swiss cheese if not pre-shredded.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until smooth and bubbly.
- Gradually whisk in milk, adding a little at a time to avoid lumps. Continue whisking until sauce thickens and bubbles gently, about 4-5 minutes.
- Stir in Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded Swiss cheese until melted and smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, diced ham, and remaining ½ cup Swiss cheese. Pour warm sauce over and toss gently to coat.
- Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
- In a small bowl, toss panko breadcrumbs with olive oil or melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until top is golden brown and bubbly. Optionally broil 1-2 minutes for extra crispiness, watching closely.
- Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired.
Notes
Use rotisserie chicken for juicier meat and less prep time. Grate your own Swiss cheese for better melting. Toast breadcrumbs in a skillet with butter for extra crunch. Add steamed broccoli or peas for a veggie boost. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs. To lighten, use half-and-half instead of whole milk and reduce cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 450
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 38
Keywords: chicken cordon bleu casserole, easy casserole, creamy chicken casserole, weeknight dinner, comfort food, cheesy casserole