Description

This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish inspired by the classic Chicken Cordon Bleu. Featuring tender chicken, ham, broccoli, and layers of Swiss and Parmesan cheese topped with a buttery panko breadcrumb crust, it’s perfect for a hearty family meal that’s easy to prepare and bakes to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 cups milk (skim or full cream)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon chicken or vegetable stock/Bouillon powder
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (fresh grated)
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Casserole Ingredients

2 cups fresh broccoli florets (uncooked)
4 cups cooked or rotisserie chicken (shredded or diced)
2 cups diced ham
2 cups Swiss cheese (shredded)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (fresh grated)
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

Make The Dijon Cream Sauce: Melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat in a small saucepan. Add 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Reduce heat to low, whisk in 3 tablespoons flour, and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
Add Liquids and Flavorings: Gradually pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and 1 1/2 cups milk while continuously whisking until smooth. Stir in 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon chicken or vegetable stock/Bouillon powder, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Cook for 2-3 minutes, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens. Add extra milk in 1-2 tablespoon increments if the sauce is too thick. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in 2 tablespoons fresh parsley if using.
Prepare Broccoli: While making the sauce, bring a medium pot of water to a boil with generous salt. Add 2 cups fresh broccoli florets and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain and set aside.
Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to preheat.
Assemble the Casserole: In a casserole dish, spread 4 cups of cooked or rotisserie chicken evenly as the base. Layer the cooked broccoli florets followed by 2 cups diced ham. Pour the prepared cream sauce evenly over the layers. Top with 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Add Breadcrumb Topping: In a small bowl, mix 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons melted butter until well combined. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole to create a crunchy topping.
Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling hot underneath.

Notes

Use rotisserie chicken for a quick and flavorful shortcut.
You can substitute broccoli with other vegetables like cauliflower or asparagus if preferred.
Adjust the thickness of the sauce with milk depending on your preference.
For a lower fat version, use skim milk and reduce butter, but the casserole might be less creamy.
Make sure not to overcook the broccoli so it retains a slight crunch.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Dish, Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 420
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 38g
Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: Chicken Cordon Bleu, casserole, chicken recipe, creamy chicken bake, Swiss cheese, ham, broccoli, comfort food