Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Comfort food lovers, this cozy chicken cordon bleu casserole brings all your favorite flavors together in one amazing dish! Your family will absolutely love how it combines tender chicken, salty ham, and melty cheese without any tricky assembly required.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Prep Time: 55 minutes, Additional Time: 25 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes, Serves: 6 people.

Nutrition Profile: High-Calcium, Bone Health, Nut-Free, Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Aging, Healthy Immunity, Soy-Free, High-Protein, Egg-Free, Low-Calorie.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 495 Calories, 17g Fat, 47g Carbs, 38g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Broccoli florets: You’ll need 2 cups chopped up into bite-sized pieces. Fresh broccoli works best and adds such great color and nutrition to this hearty casserole.

Whole-wheat fusilli: 8 ounces of this spiral pasta holds onto all the creamy sauce perfectly. Regular pasta works too if that’s what you have!

Butter: Just 2 tablespoons to get that rich, golden base started. I love how butter makes everything taste so much better.

Chicken breast: 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into half-inch pieces. This size cooks evenly and gives you perfect bites every time.

Onion: One small onion chopped up adds such wonderful flavor. Yellow or white onions both work great here.

Salt and pepper: Half a teaspoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of ground pepper to season everything just right.

All-purpose flour: 3 tablespoons help thicken up that creamy sauce beautifully.

Dijon mustard: 2 tablespoons give this casserole that classic cordon bleu tang. It really makes all the flavors pop!

Reduced-fat milk: 2 cups create the most amazing creamy base. You can use regular milk too if you prefer.

Swiss cheese: 1 cup shredded brings that authentic cordon bleu flavor. The melty goodness is absolutely perfect.

Ham: 1 cup diced ham (about 4 ounces) adds that salty, savory element we all love. Deli ham works wonderfully.

Fresh parsley: Half a cup chopped brings bright, fresh flavor and pretty green color to the dish.

Panko breadcrumbs: 1 cup, preferably whole-wheat, creates that perfect golden, crunchy topping.

Extra-virgin olive oil: 1 tablespoon mixed with the breadcrumbs helps them get beautifully golden and crispy.

How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Get a large pot of water boiling on the stove. Cook the broccoli in the boiling water for about 3 minutes until it’s just tender and bright green. Use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a large bowl.

Step 2: Add the pasta to that same boiling water. Cook it according to the package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Transfer the pasta to the bowl with your broccoli.

Step 3: Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Cook everything, stirring frequently, for 6 to 8 minutes until the onion softens and the chicken is no longer pink.

Step 4: Add the flour and Dijon mustard to the chicken mixture. Stir until everything is coated nicely. Pour in the milk and bring it to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 5: Transfer this creamy chicken mixture to the bowl with your broccoli and pasta. Stir in the Swiss cheese, diced ham, and fresh parsley. Mix everything together until well combined.

Step 6: Transfer the whole mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly. In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the olive oil. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of your casserole.

Step 7: Bake for about 30 minutes until the casserole is heated all the way through and the breadcrumbs are beginning to turn golden brown. If you’re cooking from frozen, bake for 50 minutes instead.

Easy and Quick Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Version

Want to save some time? You can use a rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own! Just shred about 3 cups of meat and skip the chicken cooking step. Also, frozen broccoli works great – just thaw it and skip the blanching step. This cuts your prep time down to about 30 minutes!

Serving Ideas

This hearty casserole is pretty much a complete meal all by itself! If you want to add a simple side, try a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette. Some crusty dinner rolls would be perfect for soaking up any extra creamy sauce too.

Storage

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in a covered container. To reheat, just pop individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. You can also reheat the whole dish in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes until warmed through.

Substitutions

No Swiss cheese? Gruyere or even sharp cheddar work beautifully! Turkey can replace the ham if that’s what you have. Regular breadcrumbs work fine instead of panko, and you can use any short pasta shape you like.

Pro Tips

• Make ahead magic: Assemble the whole casserole through step 6 and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months!
• Perfect pasta: Don’t overcook your pasta since it will cook more in the oven. Slightly underdone is perfect.
• Creamy sauce secret: Keep stirring when you add the milk to prevent any lumps from forming.
• Golden topping: If your breadcrumbs aren’t browning enough, turn on the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

You bet! Any short pasta shape works great here. Penne, rigatoni, or shells would all be delicious. Just stick with the same amount – about 8 ounces.

What if I don’t have Dijon mustard?

Sure! Regular yellow mustard works fine, though you might want to use just 1 tablespoon since it’s milder. Honey mustard would be tasty too!

Can I make this without the ham?

Absolutely! You can leave it out for a lighter dish, or replace it with cooked bacon or turkey. The casserole will still be delicious either way.

How do I know when it’s done baking?

The casserole is ready when it’s bubbling around the edges and the breadcrumbs are golden brown on top. A knife inserted in the center should come out hot!

Final Thoughts

I hope your family loves this cozy casserole as much as mine does! It’s become one of our go-to comfort food dinners. Let me know how yours turns out – I’d love to hear about any fun variations you try!