Zesty Crispy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe For Dinner
Comfort food reaches new heights with this mouthwatering chicken cordon bleu casserole that combines classic flavors in a single baking dish.
Layers of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and savory ham create a delightful meal that satisfies deep hunger pangs.
Crispy breadcrumbs add a golden crunch to every delectable bite.
Each forkful promises a perfect blend of textures and rich, indulgent tastes.
Home cooks will love how simple this recipe comes together with minimal prep work.
The cheesy, melted goodness promises to become a family favorite that disappears quickly from the dinner table.
Prepare to transform an ordinary weeknight into a memorable culinary experience.
How to Prep Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole at Home
Warm Up the Kitchen Create a cozy cooking space by heating the oven to 375°F and greasing a large baking dish.
Build the Base Layer shredded chicken across the bottom of the dish, creating a tender foundation.
Create Delicious Layers Scatter diced ham over the chicken, then drape Swiss cheese slices to create a mouthwatering blanket.
Whip Up the Creamy Sauce Melt butter in a pan, whisk in flour to form a silky base, then slowly blend in milk and broth until smooth and velvety.
Season and Enhance Stir Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and other seasonings into the sauce, transforming it into a flavor-packed liquid gold.
Shower with Sauce Pour the creamy mixture over the layers, ensuring every morsel gets a delicious coating.
Add the Crispy Crown Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and Parmesan cheese to create a crunchy topping that will make taste buds dance.
Bake to Perfection Slide the dish into the oven and cook until the top turns golden and the edges start bubbling with excitement.
Rest and Serve Let the casserole sit for a few minutes, then dish out this comforting meal alongside fresh green beans or a crisp salad.
Extra Touches for a Better Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Let the casserole rest exactly 5 minutes after baking to help sauce set and prevent runny consistency, ensuring each slice holds together beautifully when served.
Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours ahead, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to ensure even cooking.
Replace regular flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in the sauce and use gluten-free breadcrumbs for topping. Choose certified gluten-free chicken and verify all ingredient labels.
Swap breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond flour for crispy topping. Substitute milk with heavy cream to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining rich, creamy texture.
Enhance the sauce by adding fresh thyme, rosemary, or parsley. Sprinkle chopped herbs between layers or mix directly into breadcrumb topping for an aromatic, gourmet touch.
Serving Ideas for This Cheesy Chicken Bake
Cozy Family Dinner Night: Gather everyone around the table and enjoy this hearty casserole as a comforting main course that brings warmth and happiness to your evening meal.
Elegant Brunch Centerpiece: Transform this casserole into a stunning weekend brunch dish, pairing it with crisp white wine and a light mixed green salad for a sophisticated touch.
Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the entire casserole ahead of time, refrigerate, and bake when ready. Perfect for busy families who want a delicious, stress-free dinner solution that tastes freshly made.
Wine and Dine Pairing: Complement the rich flavors with a chilled Chardonnay or a light Pinot Grigio, creating a restaurant-quality dining experience right at home.
How to Keep Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Fresh
Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days when refrigerated at 40°F or below, maintaining optimal taste and food safety.
Portion casserole into individual servings, wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freezes excellently for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
Warm individual portions in microwave for 2-3 minutes, covering with damp paper towel to prevent drying. Alternatively, reheat in 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring crispy breadcrumb topping remains deliciously crunchy.
Assemble entire casserole up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate before baking. Simply remove from refrigerator 30 minutes prior to baking, then proceed with original recipe instructions for fresh, convenient dinner solution.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Calories: 650 kcal
Servings: 6
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole: What Goes Inside
For Protein Base:
Chicken: Lean protein that forms the hearty foundation, select boneless skinless chicken breast for uniform texture and easy preparation.
Ham: Adds savory depth and classic cordon bleu flavor, choose high-quality deli ham with minimal water content for richer taste.
Swiss Cheese: Provides creamy melting quality with subtle nutty undertones, select fresh block cheese for better melting performance.
For Sauce Components:
Butter: Creates luxurious richness and helps develop sauce's smooth consistency, use unsalted for precise seasoning control.
Flour: Helps thicken sauce and provides silky texture, all-purpose flour works perfectly for seamless blending.
Milk: Delivers creamy base for sauce, whole milk recommended for maximum richness.
Comfort meets classic French cuisine in this mouthwatering chicken cordon bleu casserole that layers tender chicken, salty ham, and creamy swiss cheese. Rich flavors meld together, creating a hearty dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
68 slices Swiss cheese
1 ½ cups ham, diced
4 cups chicken, shredded or cubed
2 cups whole milk
½ cup chicken broth
1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
4 tbsp butter, unsalted
4 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp butter, unsalted (melted)
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp salt (or to taste)
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
Layering Foundation: Evenly distribute cooked chicken across a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, creating a uniform base layer. Generously scatter diced ham over the chicken, then drape Swiss cheese slices to completely blanket the ham.
Sauce Crafting: In a saucepan, develop a roux by melting butter and whisking in flour until golden. Gradually introduce milk and chicken broth, stirring continuously until the mixture transforms into a smooth, velvety consistency. Enhance with Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, simmering until the sauce reaches a luxurious thickness.
Assembly and Topping: Cascade the prepared sauce over the layered chicken, ham, and cheese, ensuring complete coverage. Combine breadcrumbs with melted butter and grated Parmesan cheese, then artfully sprinkle the mixture across the casserole surface.
Baking Perfection: Slide the casserole into a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the topping achieves a rich golden-brown hue and the casserole bubbles with appetizing intensity.
Serving Presentation: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld. Plate alongside vibrant green beans, a crisp salad, or creamy mashed potatoes for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
Whisk the roux constantly and add liquids gradually to ensure a smooth, lump-free sauce without breaking.
Use freshly sliced Swiss cheese instead of pre-shredded for better melting and richer flavor profile.
Toast breadcrumbs lightly before adding to topping for extra crunch and prevent soggy layer during baking.
Substitute ham with turkey for lower-fat version, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs for celiac-friendly option, or replace dairy with plant-based alternatives for lactose-intolerant individuals.
Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.
William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary.
With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist.
When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.
William Hawkins
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Education
Sullivan University, Louisville, KY
William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary.
With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist.
When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.