What the heck is this?
This is comfort food at its finest. Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole takes all the elegance of the traditional dish—crispy chicken, savory ham, and melty Swiss cheese—and turns it into an easy, family-friendly bake that you can throw together in under an hour. No pounding, rolling, or frying required. Just layer, bake, and dig into that creamy, cheesy goodness that hits all the nostalgic notes of the original but with none of the stress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
All the flavor of classic Chicken Cordon Bleu without the labor
Creamy, cheesy, and totally satisfying
A crowd-pleaser for both weeknights and dinner parties
Easily prepped ahead and freezer-friendly
Customizable to use what you’ve got on hand
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
For the casserole:
3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded (rotisserie works great)
1 1/2 cups diced cooked ham
1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese (or Gruyère)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the sauce:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk (whole or 2% preferred)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
For the topping:
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
Let’s Do This
Step 1: Make the Sauce
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue to stir until thickened, about 3–5 minutes. Stir in the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in half the Parmesan cheese until melted.
Step 2: Build the Casserole
Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer the chopped chicken on the bottom, followed by the diced ham. Pour the warm sauce evenly over the top, then sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese over everything.
Step 3: Add the Topping
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter and a pinch of parsley if using. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the casserole.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly
Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to allow it to set up a bit.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Scoop onto plates and serve with a simple side salad or some steamed veggies. It’s rich, creamy, and oh-so-satisfying.
Serving Suggestions
Great with a side of roasted green beans or garlic butter broccoli
Serve over rice or egg noodles if you want to stretch it even further
A slice of crusty bread helps mop up that cheesy sauce
Switch It Up
Use turkey instead of chicken if that’s what you’ve got
Try smoked Gouda or mozzarella for a different cheese profile
Make it low-carb by skipping the breadcrumbs and using cauliflower instead of flour in the sauce
Make-Ahead Tips
Assemble everything (except the topping) up to a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate
Top with breadcrumbs just before baking to keep them crisp
Freezes well—just thaw in the fridge overnight and bake when ready
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I use deli ham?
A: Absolutely. Just make sure it’s diced and not too thin so it holds up during baking.
Q: Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
A: Yes, but freshly shredded melts better and gives a smoother sauce.
Q: How do I reheat leftovers?
A: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15–20 minutes or microwave individual portions until warm.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole: All the Classic Flavor Without the Fuss
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings
Description
This is comfort food at its finest. Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole takes all the elegance of the traditional dish—crispy chicken, savory ham, and melty Swiss cheese—and turns it into an easy, family-friendly bake that you can throw together in under an hour. No pounding, rolling, or frying required. Just layer, bake, and dig into that creamy, cheesy goodness that hits all the nostalgic notes of the original but with none of the stress.
Ingredients
For the casserole:
3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded (rotisserie works great)
1 1/2 cups diced cooked ham
1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese (or Gruyère)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the sauce:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk (whole or 2% preferred)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
For the topping:
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Sauce
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue to stir until thickened, about 3–5 minutes. Stir in the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in half the Parmesan cheese until melted.
Step 2: Build the Casserole
Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer the chopped chicken on the bottom, followed by the diced ham. Pour the warm sauce evenly over the top, then sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese over everything.
Step 3: Add the Topping
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter and a pinch of parsley if using. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the casserole.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly
Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to allow it to set up a bit.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Scoop onto plates and serve with a simple side salad or some steamed veggies. It’s rich, creamy, and oh-so-satisfying.
Notes
Great with a side of roasted green beans or garlic butter broccoli
Serve over rice or egg noodles if you want to stretch it even further
A slice of crusty bread helps mop up that cheesy sauce
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~520 kcal per serving
- Carbohydrates: ~20g per serving
- Protein: ~38g per serving