Classic chicken cordon bleu is a labor of love to prepare, from flattening the chicken breast to rolling it around the ham and cheese, then coating and breading it. Will it leak? Won’t it leak? These stressors melt away if you opt to make a savory, comforting chicken cordon bleu casserole.
With all the savory, cheesy flavor of chicken cordon bleu but with half the fuss, this creamy chicken cordon bleu casserole recipe is a regular feature in our dinner rotation. Like the best chicken casserole recipes, there’s a lot to love in this dish: shredded rotisserie chicken, diced ham and Swiss cheese. It’s all smothered in a tangy, Dijon mustard-laced white sauce and topped with crunchy, buttery, golden-brown panko.
Chicken cordon bleu casserole is a great way to repurpose leftovers, especially holiday ham and rotisserie chicken. This dish even has all the hallmarks of a special occasion dinner—only with minimal effort. It’s a win-win all around.
Ingredients for Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
- Chicken: Pick up a rotisserie chicken, or use any leftover cooked chicken breasts, thighs, or a mix of the two for your casserole. Recipes with rotisserie chicken are all-time favorites for their ease.
- Ham: Salty, savory, oh-so-tasty. Like most leftover ham recipes, this is a great way to use meat cut from a sugar-glazed ham you made for the holidays. Deli ham also works perfectly well! If using the latter, have it sliced thick so you can cube it.
- Swiss cheese: The standard type of cheese used for chicken cordon bleu, thinly sliced Swiss melts effortlessly into the chicken and ham. It envelops the meat in a mild, slightly sweet, nutty flavor.
- Flour, butter and milk: Combine butter and flour to make a roux, which adds flavor while acting as a sauce thickener. Milk is the foundation for the thick, creamy sauce that coats the casserole. Our go-to is 2%, but whole milk or heavy cream will make an even richer sauce.
- Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard adds a piquant note and a touch of tanginess to the dish. The acid acts as a foil to the sauce, and the flavor pairs phenomenally with ham and Swiss cheese.
- Panko: Panko, or Japanese-style bread crumbs, gives your casserole topping a lighter, crunchier texture compared to regular bread crumbs. Panko absorbs less moisture, so the topping stays beautifully crunchy.
Directions
Step 1: Layer the chicken, ham and cheese
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 13x9x2-inch casserole dish. Place the chicken in the baking dish, and top with the ham and cheese.
Step 2: Make the roux
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour until a smooth paste forms.
Step 3: Prepare the sauce
Gradually whisk in the milk. Continuing to stir constantly, bring the mixture to a boil. Cook, stirring, until thickened, two to three minutes. Add the lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper.
Editor’s Tip: Gradually adding the milk to the roux is the secret to a smooth, lump-free sauce.
Step 4: Pour the sauce over the casserole
Remove the saucepan from heat. Pour the sauce evenly over the cheese layer.
Step 5: Top with bread crumbs, and bake
Place the bread crumbs, butter and parsley in a small bowl, and toss well to coat. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole. Bake, uncovered, for 40 to 45 minutes, until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the sauce is bubbling. Rest your chicken cordon bleu casserole for five minutes before cutting and serving.
Editor’s Tip: Allowing the casserole to stand for a few minutes before slicing makes it easier to cut.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Variations
- Add vegetables: Casseroles are a perfect way to use up extra veggies. Broccoli, bell peppers, zucchini, green beans, kale and mushrooms are a few options that would be stellar in this recipe.
- Try a different cheese: Swiss is the traditional choice for chicken cordon bleu, but plenty of other cheeses lend themselves to casseroles. A few favorite swaps include cheddar, provolone, Monterey Jack, Gouda, and mozzarella. Or try a mix of your favorites! Some grated Parmesan or Grana Padano would make an excellent finishing touch.
- Add noodles: Add egg noodles or pasta to make your casserole even heartier. Cook them according to the instructions on the package, then transfer them to the casserole dish before adding the chicken, ham and cheese.
- Swap out the chicken: If you’re in need of more leftover turkey recipes, or if you just dig this lean protein, using turkey instead of chicken is an easy, delicious variation on this casserole. Again, any part of the bird works here.
- Switch up the ham: Try honey, smoked or peppered ham, or take things up a notch with prosciutto or jamon. Turn this casserole into one of your new favorite bacon recipes by adding chopped bacon instead of ham. Don’t eat pork? Substitute ham with smoked turkey bacon.
- Use extra seasonings: Sprinkle a pinch of smoked paprika, seasoned salt, garlic powder, Italian herb mix or lemon pepper into the sauce, or toss the seasonings with the bread crumbs for a flavor boost.
How to Store Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Once cooled, tightly wrap the casserole, or transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to three days.
Can you freeze chicken cordon bleu casserole?
Yes, you can freeze this casserole! Like most of our favorite casserole recipes, either unbaked or baked chicken cordon bleu casserole can be frozen. They’ll last up to three months in the freezer. Thaw the frozen casserole in the fridge overnight before reheating.
To reheat the cooked casserole, cook in the oven at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes or until warmed through. Cook unbaked chicken cordon bleu casserole at 350° for 50 to 55 minutes.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Tips
What can you serve with chicken cordon bleu casserole?
Serve your chicken cordon bleu casserole with a generous scoop of steamed rice or noodles. Lighter sides like green salads, glazed ranch carrots, grilled corn and roasted asparagus are always winners with this creamy casserole. But you can’t go wrong with any potato recipes: mashed, roasted, steamed or scalloped.
What is the best chicken for chicken cordon bleu casserole?
Any cooked chicken works in chicken cordon bleu casserole. Rotisserie chicken will make casserole prep a breeze, but you can use any leftover chicken you have at home. Thigh meat offers a richer flavor, while breast meat is milder and lets the other ingredients shine.
If you only have uncooked chicken at home, bake, grill or poach it first, then shred it to add to the casserole. Don’t add raw chicken to the casserole! Using raw chicken would increase the cooking time, and it runs you the risk of serving with undercooking chicken. Here’s our fool-proof guide on how to cook chicken.
