Easy and Tasty Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe
Hey there, friend! Let’s talk about comfort food today, because if you’re anything like me, you want something that’s warm, cheesy, and ridiculously good after a long day.
That’s exactly why I’m obsessed with this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole. It’s got everything you love about the classic dish—tender chicken, smoky ham, gooey cheese—but without all the hassle of rolling and breading.
I know life gets busy, and the last thing you want is to spend hours in the kitchen.
That’s why this recipe is perfect. You throw it all together in one dish, put it in the oven, and boom, you’ve got a creamy, cheesy, perfectly baked meal that tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did. (But don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.)
And let’s just be honest here, who doesn’t love a good casserole? It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel cozy from the inside out.
Besides, it’s a picky-eater approved, so if you’ve got kids, a spouse, or even a friend who turns their nose up at everything, they’re about to be hooked.
So grab your ingredients, and let’s make this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole together. Trust me, once you try it out, it’s going straight into your dinner rotation!
How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Step-by-Step Instructions
What You’ll Need (Ingredients)
- 2 large chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
- 1 1/2 cups diced ham
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk (whole milk is best here)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a 9×13 baking dish and lightly grease it. This baby is gonna be the stage where the magic happens.
Step 2: Layer your chopped chicken evenly across the bottom of the baking dish. Then toss (sorry—gently spread) the diced ham right over the top. Keep things even, so you get a bit of everything in every bite.
Step 3: Sprinkle all that shredded Swiss cheese across the top of the chicken and ham. Don’t hold back. This is Chicken Cordon Bleu we’re talking about.
Step 4: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and whisk like you mean it for about a minute. It should be bubbling, but not brown.
Step 5: Slowly pour in the milk while whisking. Keep going until the sauce thickens. This takes 3–5 minutes. Add in the garlic powder, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
Step 6: Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken, ham, and cheese layers. Give the dish a little shake to let the sauce settle in nicely.
Step 7: In a small bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and olive oil. Sprinkle this buttery, crunchy goodness all over the top.
Step 8: Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling like it means business.
Step 9: Let it cool for about 5–10 minutes before serving. Trust me, worth the wait.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
⑴ Skipping the Sauce Thickening: If you don’t thicken your sauce, you’ll get a runny casserole.
⑵ Using Pre-shredded Cheese: It doesn’t melt as well. Shred it fresh if you can.
⑶ Under-seasoning: Between the chicken, ham, and cheese, there’s flavor, but a touch of salt and mustard brings it to life.
⑷ Overbaking: Dry chicken is no one’s friend. Check it at 25 minutes.
⑸ No Rest Time: Cutting in too soon makes it messy. Give it a few to settle.
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Recipe Best Tips
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Add a little nutmeg to the sauce for an extra cozy flavor.
- Try smoked ham for a deeper flavor.
- Make it ahead and just bake before serving.
- Use panko breadcrumbs if you like them extra crispy.
Serving Suggestions
This dish is rich, so pair it with something fresh like a green salad with lemon vinaigrette or some roasted asparagus. Mashed potatoes also make a dreamy combo. Oh, and a glass of cold white wine never hurts.
Storage and Freezing
① To Store: Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days.
② To Freeze: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use turkey instead of chicken?
A: Totally! Leftover turkey works great.
Q: What cheese can I use if I don’t have Swiss?
A: Gruyère or provolone are good swaps. Even mozzarella in a pinch.
Q: Is it gluten-free?
A: Not as written, but use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs, and you’re good.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! Assemble it all, refrigerate, then bake when ready.
Q: How do I make the topping extra crispy?
A: Broil it for the last 2 minutes, but watch it closely!
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Yup. Just use a larger pan and adjust the cooking time as needed.
Q: What’s the best side dish with this?
A: Roasted veggies, green beans, or even a simple Caesar salad.
Conclusion
So now you’ve got the ultimate Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole recipe—easy, delicious, and way more fun to make than you probably expected.
If you try it out, don’t be shy—share your version in the comments!
You Might Also Want To Try
- Parmesan Crusted Chicken With Creamy Garlic Sauce
- Chinese Beef And Broccoli Stir Fry
- Chicken Salad Sandwich
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Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Ingredients
Ingredients List for Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
For the Casserole:
- 3 cups cooked chicken shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 1 ½ cups diced ham deli or leftover ham
- 2 cups Swiss cheese shredded (can substitute with mozzarella or provolone)
For the Sauce:
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream or whole milk for a lighter option
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard adds that classic Cordon Bleu flavor
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Topping:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs regular or gluten-free
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese adds extra flavor and crispiness
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1 tsp smoked paprika for a deeper flavor
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning for a little extra kick
Instructions
How to Cook Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
- Before you start, make sure you have everything measured and ready to go. This makes the whole process smooth and stress-free.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
- Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s nice and hot by the time your casserole is ready to bake.
Step 3: Prepare the Baking Dish
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a little butter or nonstick spray. This keeps everything from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 4: Layer the Ingredients
- Spread the cooked, shredded chicken evenly in the dish.
- Sprinkle the diced ham over the chicken.
- Top everything with shredded Swiss cheese—make sure it’s spread out evenly for that perfect melty goodness.
Step 5: Make the Creamy Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine heavy cream, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stir constantly for about 3-4 minutes until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
- Pour the creamy sauce evenly over the chicken, ham, and cheese layers.
Step 6: Prepare the Crispy Topping
- In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan cheese.
- Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the casserole for that perfect crunch.
Step 7: Bake the Casserole
- Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
Step 8: Let It Rest & Serve
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes to set.
- Scoop out a generous portion, serve it up, and enjoy every creamy, cheesy, crispy bite!
- And just like that, dinner is served! 🍽️
