BEST Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole (Easy Chicken Casserole!) (2024)

There’s nothing quite like traditional chicken cordon bleu. Salty ham and creamy cheese stuffed into tender, crispy chicken — what’s not to love? Well… the hassle of making it, for sure! That’s why I crafted this easy chicken cordon bleu casserole recipe.

While the flavors and texture of the classic dish are completely crave-worthy, the time and effort can be a little much. Stuffing that chicken and cooking it just right can be a hands-on, time-consuming task that makes it a meal that’s not ideal for just any night.

So be prepared to have your socks knocked off. This casserole recipe takes all the steps for making a dish with all of the flavors of classic chicken cordon bleu from daunting to dreamy!

Why This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is Going to Be Your Go-To

This cheesy, chicken-filled goodness is about to become your new favorite recipe. Here’s why!

• All natural. A lot of recipes call for canned creamy soup — but not this one. You’ll get all of the traditional flavors of chicken cordon bleu with easy, natural ingredients.
• Lower-carb. While you can serve this delicious dish with carbs, the recipe itself is lower in carbs than many. If you’re looking to make it even more low carb, skip the crunchy topping.
• Easy. This casserole channels all of the flavors of the traditional recipe but with significantly less prep time.

Ingredients

The ingredient list looks a little long, but they’re all easy to find at your local grocery store!

• Unsalted Butter – A bit of unsalted butter adds richness and flavor to the sauce
• Cloves of Garlic – Finely mince or grate the cloves before tossing them in.
• Flour – Thicken things with flour. It gives the sauce a rich and creamy texture.
• Whole Milk – Whole milk creates the base of the sauce, making sure it’s silky smooth.
• Dijon Mustard – A spoonful of Dijon mustard adds a touch of tanginess.
• Lemon Juice – A splash of lemon juice brightens things up, giving the casserole a zesty kick.
• Coarse Kosher Salt – Sprinkle in some coarse kosher salt to bring out the flavors and provide balance.
• Ground Black Pepper – A pinch of ground black pepper adds just the right amount of gentle heat.
• Smoked Paprika – This ingredient makes the dish subtle smoky (and extra satisfying!).
• Shredded Swiss Cheese – A generous helping of shredded Swiss cheese adds gooey, melty goodness. If you want a milder variety, try using shredded mozzarella or provolone.
• Parmesan Cheese – We never skimp on the Parmesan at our house! Add plenty to impart the traditional flavor of this dish.
• Cooked Chicken, Diced or Shredded – While you can make chicken specifically for this, you can also use leftovers or a rotisserie chicken.
• Ham Steak, Cubed – Throw in some cubed ham steak for that savory, salty flavor that’s classic in a chicken cordon bleu.

Crunchy Topping

• Butter – Melt the butter in intervals in the microwave to make sure it isn’t overheated.
• Italian Seasoning – Give the topping some classic Italian flavor with this seasoning.
• Garlic Powder – We can never get enough garlic here! Use powder to disperse it evenly in the topping.
• Panko Bread Crumbs – Panko gives the topping the perfect crunch factor. Looking for buttery flavor? Try using crushed Ritz crackers.
• Fresh Parsley, For Garnish (Optional) – Garnish with some fresh parsley for an extra pop of color and freshness.

How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Making this casserole is so easy you’ll be whipping up this breezy version of the classic on the regular.

1. Sauté garlic in butter. Add the butter to a saucepan. Once melted, stir in the garlic.
2. Make roux. Gradually add the flour and whisk until a roux has formed.
3. Add milk, lemon and seasonings. Pour in the milk and lemon juice before whisking in the Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika.Allow the sauce to simmer.
4. Whisk in cheese. Sprinkle in the cheeses and whisk until they have fully melted, then remove the pan from the stove.
5. Add ham, chicken and sauce to dish. Place the ham and chicken in the prepared baking dish and pour the cheese sauce over top.
6. Toss meats in sauce. Toss gently to ensure the ham and chicken mixture is coated.

Crunchy Topping:

1. Mix ingredients. Mix together the melted butter, Italian seasoning, breadcrumbs, and garlic powder in a small bowl.
2. Add to top of casserole. Top the casserole with the breadcrumb and butter mixture.
3. Bake and allow to rest briefly.Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.

What to Serve With Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

This casserole is one that you can spoon on your plate and just dig into all on its own. But, you can also serve it with homemade bread, rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta like egg noodles or buttered noodles.

Want to get some nutritious veggies in? Try adding a side of broccolini, roasted vegetables, or a simple side salad.

Variations

While this French classic turned casserole is pretty incredible on its own, there are a bunch of ways to add a twist.

• Bacon – Add crispy bacon bits to the casserole for even more savory flavor. Bacon makes everything better, right?
• Herbs– Incorporate fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley into the sauce for added freshness and aroma.
• Veggies – Mix in a variety of diced vegetables such as bell peppers, chopped cauliflower, asparagus, spinach, or mushrooms to add color and nutrients to the casserole.
• Spicy Kick – Add Cajun seasoning or hot sauce to the sauce mixture for a spicy flavor profile. Or, include diced jalapenos for an extra kick of heat.
• Mushrooms – Sauté sliced mushrooms with garlic and butter, then spread them with the chicken and ham for a rich, earthy flavor.
• Italian Inspiration – Replace the Dijon mustard with pesto sauce and add sun-dried tomatoes and artichoke hearts for an Italian twist.
• Tex-Mex – Season the chicken with taco seasoning and add black beans and corn kernels to the casserole for some Tex-Mex flair. Take it up a notch by using pepper jack cheese instead of Swiss for a spicy kick.

Storageand Freezing

The great part about this recipe is that it’s so easy to store and reheat — just take it straight from the fridge or freezer and toss it in the oven or the microwave.

Make Ahead

You can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, then assemble the casserole and cook when ready.

How to Store Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Store leftovers of this casserole in its original dish or an airtight container for three to four days.

Can I Freeze Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole?

You can easily store this casserole in the freezer for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container.

Common Questions About Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

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