Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe

If you love the taste of Chicken Cordon Bleu you are going to love this casserole recipe. It has all the flavors of the iconic dish but it is made into a casserole instead of individual chicken breasts.

As much as I love the original recipe, it takes some time to prepare. First you have to pound the chicken breasts into thinner pieces.

Then you must carefully wrap each one so that the slices of ham and cheese stay in the middle. Finally, they must be rolled in a breadcrumbs before being placed in the baking dish.

Although the final results are well worth the taste it does take some extra time and effort. However, I have found a way to make it in a little less time by adapting my original recipe into an Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe.

But on a busy weeknight, when I am wanting all of the flavor of this iconic dish, but don’t want to spend a lot of time making dinner, this is my go-to recipe!

Simply layer the ingredients in the baking dish and make an easy homemade cheese sauce to pour on top. Sprinkle a little more cheese and Panko breadcrumbs on top and throw it in the oven.

Then in 30 minutes, dinner is ready! You can serve it as is for a stand alone, low-carb meal.

Or serve it over pasta, rice or even mashed potatoes for a dinner that you will want to make over and over again!

What Does Cordon Bleu Mean?

Although you might think that the words cordon bleu has something to do with the ingredients in the recipe or how the chicken is cooked, that isn’t quite the case.

Instead, the French to English translation of the term cordon bleu actually means blue ribbon. The French term described a wide blue ribbon worn only by those that were members of the highest order of knighthood.

Since that time, the general term has been extended to describe culinary dishes that deserve the highest respect by outstanding chefs. The first designation went to a veal dish that was pounded thin and rolled with ham and cheese on the inside.

Then the meat was rolled in breadcrumbs and baked until the meat was tender and the cheese melted. Years later the famous Switzerland chicken schnitzel recipe was used instead of the veal to make the first Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe.

Since that time you can find this decadent dish on the menu of high end restaurants and in local restaurant establishments. However, if you want all the flavor of this famous recipe, without spending the time to pound, stuff, roll and bread the chicken, then this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole recipe is your answer.

Helpful Recipe Tips

With a little planning you will be able to throw the ingredients together and have it baking in the oven in under 10 minutes. Here are some helpful tips for getting dinner on the table quicker.

1. Use Precooked Ingredients

Because this recipe calls for the meat to be cooked before layering it in the casserole, be sure to do this ahead of time or purchase previously cooked meat.

This is quite easy to do with the small cubed ham required. In the refrigerated meat section of your grocery store, you may find a bag of small cubed ham that has previously been cooked on the shelf.

If not, you can purchase a ham steak and dice and cook it yourself if required. Just be sure to read the package to see if the ham you purchase is ready to eat or if it needs cooked.

This is also a great recipe to use when you have a leftover ham from Easter or Christmas. Simply dice the ham into small pieces and proceed with the recipe as instructed.

And the same goes for the chicken that is the star of this Chicken Cordon Bleu casserole recipe. Simply cook the chicken ahead of time and dice it into bite size pieces.

I used my Instant Pot and cooked the chicken for 10 minutes at high pressure. Although you could boil the chicken, bake it in the oven, or use the chicken from a purchased rotisserie chicken as well.

Plan for 1 cup of cooked diced chicken per average size chicken breast. Therefore, if you are preparing the chicken ahead of time, you will need approximately 3 cups of cooked diced chicken.

2. Use A White Melting Cheese

Swiss cheese is the primary cheese of choice when it comes to the classic recipe. However, sometimes it is difficult to find preshredded Swiss cheese at the grocery store.

Of course you can shred your own and it will melt perfectly when baked. However, I have found that shredded Italian blend cheese is perfect to use.

Not only does it contain a few varieties of cheese, the small shreds melt perfectly in both the homemade cheese sauce and on top of the casserole.

However you could also use provolone or Gruyere cheese in the Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole as well. The choice is up to you.

3. Give Plenty of Time To Thicken The Sauce

When you go to make your homemade sauce to pour over the top of the casserole, be sure that you give enough time for the sauce to reduce and become thick.

If you use heavy cream, it will take less time than if you use milk. Regardless, you want the sauce to reduce down and thicken to a gravy consistency before adding it to the recipe.

So now that you know the tips for making this casserole let’s get to the actual recipe!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups small-cubed ham
• 2 1/2 cups Italian blend cheese
• 4 thin chicken breasts, cooked and cut into cubes
• 6 tablespoons butter, unsalted
• 3/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups heavy cream or whole milk
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Then grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

Put the ham on a paper towel-lined plate. Microwave for 3 minutes to help release the liquid in the ham.

Remove the ham from the oven and pat the pieces dry with paper towels. Set aside.

Layer The Casserole

Divide the cooked and diced chicken into 3 equal portions. Place 1/3rd of the chicken in the bottom of the baking dish.

Then add half of the ham on top of the chicken. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of cheese on top.

Repeat the layers of 1/3rd chicken, half the ham, 1/4 cup cheese. Then add the remaining chicken pieces on top.

Now it is time to make the topping for the Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole. Start by placing the Panko breadcrumbs in a medium size bowl.

Then melt the butter in a skillet and pour half of the melted butter in the bowl with the breadcrumbs. Mix well and set aside.

Add the flour to the remaining butter in the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, whisking constantly to remove any clumps. Then pour in the heavy cream (or milk), chicken broth, Dijon mustard and cayenne pepper and whisk until well incorporated.

Continue to cook until the liquid starts to thicken into a gravy consistency. Then remove from skillet form the heat and stir in 1 cup of cheese until melted.

Season with salt and pepper to taste and pour the sauce over the casserole. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup cheese over the top.

Finally, sprinkle the Panko breadcrumbs on top of the cheese.

Bake Time

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The casserole is done when the edges are bubbling and the top is golden brown.

Remove the dish from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Serve as is for a low-carb dinner recipe. Or serve it over cooked pasta, rice or alongside mashed potatoes for a complete and filling meal.

Enjoy! Mary

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