Description
Creamy chicken cordon bleu casserole delivers a classic French-inspired comfort dish with layers of tender chicken, savory ham, and melted Swiss cheese. Crispy breadcrumb topping and rich sauce make this hearty meal perfect for family dinners when you crave something deliciously satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs chicken breast, boneless and skinless
- 0.5 lbs ham, diced
- 0.5 lbs swiss cheese, shredded
Breading and Coating:
- 2 cups breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Liquid and Binding:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Slice chicken breasts into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
- Dice the ham into small, uniform cubes that will distribute evenly across the dish.
- Create a breading station with three separate bowls: one with flour seasoned with salt and pepper, another with beaten eggs, and the third with breadcrumbs.
- Coat each chicken piece first in seasoned flour, then dip in beaten eggs, and finally roll in breadcrumbs to create a crispy exterior.
- Arrange the breaded chicken pieces in a single layer across the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle diced ham evenly over the chicken, creating a balanced distribution of protein.
- Generously cover the chicken and ham with shredded Swiss cheese to create a melty, golden topping.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together heavy cream, milk, Dijon mustard, and chicken broth to create a rich, flavorful sauce.
- Melt butter and drizzle it over the entire casserole to enhance richness and promote golden browning.
- Pour the cream mixture slowly and evenly across the casserole, ensuring all ingredients are moistened.
- Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, until the chicken is completely cooked, the cheese is bubbling, and the top is golden brown.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps the sauce set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Use chicken tenders for quicker cooking and more tender meat, especially when short on time.
- Swap Swiss cheese with Gruyère for a more complex, nutty flavor profile that elevates the dish.
- Create a gluten-free version by replacing wheat flour and breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Reduce the calorie content by using Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream and adding more herbs for flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 676
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 812 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 194 mg