Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

Chicken Cordon Bleu is a classic dish, but let’s be honest, it can be a bit fussy to prepare. All that pounding, stuffing, and breading can take up precious time, especially on a busy weeknight. That’s where this creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole comes in! It takes all the delicious flavors of the original – juicy chicken, savory ham, and melty Swiss cheese – and transforms them into a comforting, easy-to-make casserole. This recipe is perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or any occasion where you want a crowd-pleasing meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

## Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Easy to Make:** This casserole is incredibly simple to assemble. Just layer the ingredients, pour over the creamy sauce, and bake. No need for complicated techniques or special equipment.
* **Comfort Food at Its Finest:** The combination of tender chicken, salty ham, and gooey cheese, all bathed in a rich and creamy sauce, is pure comfort food heaven.
* **Perfect for Weeknights:** This recipe is quick enough for a weeknight dinner, but elegant enough to serve to guests.
* **Versatile:** Feel free to customize the recipe to your liking. Add vegetables, different cheeses, or adjust the seasonings to suit your taste.
* **Kid-Friendly:** Even picky eaters will love this cheesy, flavorful casserole.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Chicken:** 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and cubed or shredded. You can use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time, or cook the chicken breasts yourself. Poaching, baking, or grilling are all good options. Make sure the chicken is cooked through and not dry. Cutting the chicken into uniform pieces will help it cook evenly in the casserole.
* **Ham:** 8 ounces cooked ham, diced. Use your favorite type of ham, such as deli ham, smoked ham, or even leftover holiday ham. Dicing the ham into small pieces ensures it’s evenly distributed throughout the casserole.
* **Swiss Cheese:** 4 ounces Swiss cheese, shredded. Swiss cheese is essential for that classic Chicken Cordon Bleu flavor. Shredding it yourself ensures it melts evenly. If you don’t have Swiss cheese, you can substitute Gruyere or provolone.
* **Butter:** 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter. Butter adds richness and flavor to the sauce. You can use salted butter if you prefer, but reduce the amount of salt you add later.
* **All-Purpose Flour:** 1/4 cup. Flour is used to thicken the sauce. Make sure to whisk it in thoroughly to avoid lumps.
* **Milk:** 2 cups. Milk forms the base of the creamy sauce. You can use whole milk, 2% milk, or even half-and-half for a richer sauce.
* **Chicken Broth:** 1 cup. Chicken broth adds depth of flavor to the sauce. You can use low-sodium broth to control the salt content.
* **Dijon Mustard:** 1 tablespoon. Dijon mustard adds a tangy flavor that complements the other ingredients. You can use a different type of mustard if you prefer, but Dijon is the most traditional.
* **Garlic Powder:** 1 teaspoon. Garlic powder adds a subtle garlic flavor to the sauce. You can use fresh garlic if you prefer, but garlic powder is more convenient.
* **Onion Powder:** 1/2 teaspoon. Onion powder adds a savory flavor to the sauce.
* **Salt:** 1/2 teaspoon, or to taste. Salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
* **Black Pepper:** 1/4 teaspoon, or to taste. Black pepper adds a touch of spice.
* **Dry Bread Crumbs:** 1 cup. Bread crumbs add a crispy topping to the casserole. You can use plain bread crumbs or seasoned bread crumbs. Panko bread crumbs will give you the crispiest topping.
* **Melted Butter (for topping):** 2 tablespoons. Melted butter helps the bread crumbs brown and crisp up.
* **Optional:** Cooked egg noodles or rice. These can be added to the bottom of the casserole dish before adding the chicken mixture to make it a complete meal.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* 9×13 inch baking dish
* Large skillet or saucepan
* Whisk
* Mixing bowl

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a detailed guide on how to make this delicious Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole:

**1. Prepare the Chicken:**

* If you’re not using pre-cooked chicken, you’ll need to cook the chicken breasts. There are several ways to do this:
* **Poaching:** Place the chicken breasts in a saucepan and cover with water or chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Let cool slightly, then shred or cube.
* **Baking:** Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through. Let cool slightly, then shred or cube.
* **Grilling:** Grill the chicken breasts over medium heat for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Let cool slightly, then shred or cube.
* **Rotisserie Chicken:** Use a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for an even quicker option. Remove the skin and shred the meat.

**2. Make the Creamy Sauce:**

* Melt butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. This creates a roux, which will thicken the sauce.
* Slowly whisk in the milk and chicken broth, making sure to break up any lumps. Continue whisking until the sauce is smooth.
* Add the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
* Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
* Remove the sauce from the heat.

**3. Assemble the Casserole:**

* Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
* Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
* In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, diced ham, and shredded Swiss cheese.
* Pour the creamy sauce over the chicken mixture and stir gently to coat everything evenly.
* If using, spread cooked egg noodles or rice in the bottom of the greased baking dish. This is optional but makes the casserole a complete meal.
* Pour the chicken mixture over the noodles or rice (if using) or directly into the baking dish.
* In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs and melted butter. Mix well to coat the bread crumbs with butter.
* Sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over the top of the casserole.

**4. Bake the Casserole:**

* Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the bread crumbs are golden brown and crispy.
* Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and prevents it from being too runny.

**5. Serve and Enjoy:**

* Serve the Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole hot. It’s delicious on its own or with a side salad or steamed vegetables.

## Tips and Variations

* **Add Vegetables:** Add some cooked vegetables to the casserole for extra nutrients and flavor. Broccoli, asparagus, peas, or mushrooms would all be great additions. Simply steam or saute the vegetables before adding them to the chicken mixture.
* **Use Different Cheeses:** While Swiss cheese is traditional for Chicken Cordon Bleu, you can experiment with other cheeses. Gruyere, provolone, or even mozzarella would all work well. You can also use a combination of cheeses.
* **Make it Spicy:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little bit of heat.
* **Add Wine:** For a richer flavor, add a splash of dry white wine to the sauce. Add the wine after you whisk in the milk and chicken broth and let it simmer for a few minutes to cook off the alcohol.
* **Use a Different Sauce:** If you’re not a fan of creamy sauces, you can use a different sauce altogether. A mushroom gravy or a cheese sauce would both be delicious.
* **Make it Ahead:** You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Add the bread crumb topping just before baking. You may need to add a few minutes to the baking time if the casserole is cold.
* **Freezing:** This casserole can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking. You may need to add a few minutes to the baking time if the casserole is still partially frozen.
* **Gluten-Free Option:** Use gluten-free bread crumbs and ensure your chicken broth is gluten-free to make this recipe gluten-free. You can also use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the sauce.
* **Lower-Fat Option:** Use skim milk or 1% milk and reduce the amount of butter to make this recipe lower in fat. You can also use a lower-fat cheese.

## Serving Suggestions

This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but here are some serving suggestions to make it even more special:

* **Side Salad:** A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing is a great way to balance out the richness of the casserole.
* **Steamed Vegetables:** Steamed broccoli, asparagus, or green beans are healthy and delicious sides.
* **Garlic Bread:** Crusty garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce.
* **Mashed Potatoes:** Creamy mashed potatoes are another comforting side dish that pairs well with this casserole.
* **Cranberry Sauce:** A dollop of cranberry sauce adds a touch of sweetness and tartness that complements the savory flavors.

## Nutritional Information (Estimated)

* Calories: 450-550 per serving (depending on ingredients and portion size)
* Protein: 30-40 grams
* Fat: 25-35 grams
* Carbohydrates: 20-30 grams

**Note:** This is just an estimate. For accurate nutritional information, use a nutrition calculator and enter the exact ingredients you used.

## Conclusion

This creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for any occasion. With its comforting flavors and simple preparation, it’s sure to become a family favorite. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a taste of classic Chicken Cordon Bleu without all the fuss! Enjoy!