Oh, you know those nights when you just want something warm, comforting, and super easy? That’s exactly when this Irresistible Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe swoops in like a superhero! It’s got all those classic Cordon Bleu flavors – the savory chicken, the salty ham, the creamy sauce, and that perfect hint of Swiss cheese, all baked up into a bubbling dish that practically begs to be served. Honestly, the first time I made this, it was a total lifesaver after a ridiculously long day. My kids devoured it, and I felt like I’d pulled off a gourmet miracle with barely any effort. It’s become our go-to for a reason!
Why You’ll Love This Irresistible Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe
Honestly, this casserole is a weeknight dream come true! Here’s why it’s going to be your new favorite:
- Crazy Easy to Make: You literally just mix everything together. No fuss, no stress!
- Super Speedy: We’re talking minimal prep and then just a quick bake. Dinner’s on the table before you know it!
- Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: Even the pickiest eaters will ask for seconds. It’s pure comfort food heaven!
- Classic Flavors, Wow-Factor Easy: You get all that delicious Chicken Cordon Bleu taste without all the work.
Gather Your Ingredients for the Irresistible Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready! This is what you’ll need to whip up this dreamy casserole:
- Cooked Chicken: About 2 cups, all shredded up. You can use leftover rotisserie chicken, or boil and shred some chicken breasts – whatever’s easiest!
- Diced Ham: 1 cup of this. Just a regular cooked ham, diced into little cubes.
- Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup: One standard can, that’s 10.5 ounces. This is the magic base for our creamy sauce!
- Milk: Just half a cup. Whole milk gives a nice richness, but you can use whatever you have on hand.
- Sour Cream: A quarter cup. This makes the sauce super creamy and adds a little tang that’s just perfect.
- Dijon Mustard: Gotta have that little kick! 1 teaspoon of Dijon adds a lovely depth of flavor that really ties everything together.
- Shredded Swiss Cheese: We need 1/2 cup for mixing in and then another 1/4 cup for topping, so 3/4 cup total. Feel free to shred your own from a block – it melts so much better!
- Bread Crumbs: 1/4 cup. Panko crumbs are great for an extra crunch, but regular ones work too.
- Butter: 2 tablespoons, melted. This gets mixed with the bread crumbs for that lovely golden topping.
Tips for Success with Your Irresistible Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Okay, so making this casserole is pretty foolproof, but like with any recipe, a little insider advice can make it absolutely spectacular! Trust me on these little tricks:
First off, don’t skimp on the chicken quality! Whether you’re using leftover rotisserie chicken (my personal favorite for convenience!) or boiling your own, make sure it’s actually cooked through and nice and tender. Dry chicken just won’t give you that super moist bite we’re aiming for. For extra flavor points, you could even use some leftover BBQ chicken thighs if you happen to have them lying around from another meal!
Also, make sure you’re mixing everything really well before it goes into your baking dish. That cream of chicken soup, milk, and sour cream need to get all cozy with the chicken and ham. And when you’re adding that Swiss cheese, stir it in gently – we want it melted throughout, not all clumped up in one spot. My neighbor Brenda always skips stirring in half the cheese and her casserole ends up with a weird cheese distribution, so don’t be like Brenda! 😉
Finally, that bread crumb topping? It’s so simple but makes a huge difference! Make sure those crumbs are well-coated with that melted butter. This ensures a lovely golden-brown, slightly crispy blanket on top that contrasts beautifully with the creamy casserole underneath. It’s these little things that elevate a good casserole to an absolutely *irresistible* one! You can find more juicy chicken tips over here that might give you even more ideas.
How to Prepare the Irresistible Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe
Alright, let’s get this party started! Making this casserole is honestly so straightforward; you’ll be amazed at how quickly it comes together. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have a bubbling, golden dish of pure comfort ready in no time.
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Preheat and Prep: First things first, crank up your oven to 375°F (190°C). While that’s heating, grab a nice big baking dish – a 9×13 inch one is perfect. Give it a quick coat of cooking spray or a little butter; you don’t want anything sticking, and a bit of greasing never hurt anyone!
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Mix the Filling: In a big bowl, combine all your goodies. We’ve got the shredded chicken, that diced ham, the can of condensed cream of chicken soup (this is like the glue that holds it all together!), the milk, the sour cream for extra creaminess, and that little teaspoon of Dijon mustard for a subtle zing. Give it all a good stir until everything is nicely married together. Don’t be afraid to really get in there and mix it well!
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Cheese Please! Now, here comes the cheesy goodness. Stir in about half of your shredded Swiss cheese into the chicken mixture. Just gently fold it in. We want those cheesy pockets throughout the casserole, not a solid block of cheese.
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Into the Dish: Pour that delicious chicken and ham mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out so it’s a nice, even layer. Smooth the top a bit with the back of your spoon or a spatula.
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The Crispy Topping: In a separate, smaller bowl, mix together your bread crumbs and the melted butter. Toss them around until those crumbs are all nicely coated – think of it like making little crunchy croutons for your casserole! Sprinkle this buttery crumb mixture all over the top of the chicken mixture. Try to get an even layer; this is what gives you that fantastic crispy contrast.
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Crown it with Cheese: Now, sprinkle the remaining Swiss cheese over the top of the bread crumb mixture. This is going to melt into a gorgeous, golden blanket. If you want extra cheesy goodness, sprinkle a little more cheese on there, I won’t tell anyone!
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Bake to Perfection: Pop that beautiful dish into your preheated oven. Let it bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for everything to be bubbly around the edges and that topping to be a lovely golden brown. If your oven tends to cook unevenly, you might want to give the dish a quarter turn halfway through baking.
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Rest and Serve: Once it’s all bubbly and golden, carefully take it out of the oven. Let it sit for just a few minutes before you dig in. This helps everything settle down a bit and makes it easier to serve. Honestly, I sometimes find myself peeking into the oven, dreaming of that first bite. If you’re looking for other easy dinner ideas, check out this delish crockpot orange chicken – another winner for busy nights!
Serving Suggestions for Your Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
This casserole is practically a meal all on its own, but serving it with a couple of simple sides makes it even more special. A light, fresh salad with a tangy vinaigrette is always a good idea to cut through that creamy richness. And you absolutely *have* to serve it with some warm, crusty bread! Our family loves these fluffy dinner rolls – they’re perfect for soaking up any extra sauce. A side of steamed green beans or broccoli also adds a nice bit of color and freshness to the plate.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This casserole is almost as good the next day. Just pop any extra into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, here’s the best way to reheat: spoon your portion into a microwave-safe dish, maybe with a tiny splash of milk or water to bring back some moisture, and heat on medium power until it’s nice and warm all the way through. You can also reheat it gently in a 350°F (175°C) oven, covered with foil, for about 15-20 minutes. Yummy!
Frequently Asked Questions about Irresistible Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are some things people often ask about whipping up this delicious dish:
Can I use different kinds of cheese in this casserole?
Absolutely! While Swiss is classic for Cordon Bleu, feel free to experiment. Gruyère is fantastic and melts beautifully, or you could try a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack for a different flavor profile. Just make sure it’s a good melting cheese!
What if I don’t have ham? Can I still make it?
No ham? No problem! The ham adds a nice salty, savory element, but you can totally skip it if you prefer, or if you don’t have any on hand. The chicken and cheese sauce will still be super yummy. You could also add some crumbled cooked bacon for a similar flavor boost!
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Oh yes, you can! You can assemble the whole casserole (up to the baking part) and then cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil and pop it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, just let it sit on the counter for about 20-30 minutes to take the chill off, then follow the baking instructions, adding a few extra minutes if needed. It’s a lifesaver for busy nights!
What can I serve with this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole?
Besides the sides I mentioned before, this casserole is pretty hearty! It’s fantastic with simple roasted vegetables like asparagus or green beans. Some mashed potatoes are also a comforting pairing if you really want to go all out. Honestly, it’s so good, it doesn’t need much else! For more chicken ideas, check out this slow cooker chicken and broccoli.
Nutritional Information (Estimated)
Here’s a rough idea of what you’re getting in each delicious serving of this casserole. Keep in mind, this is an estimate, and your exact numbers might bounce around a bit depending on the brands you use and how generous you are with your portions!
- Serving Size: About 1 serving
- Calories: Around 450
- Fat: About 25g (with roughly 10g saturated)
- Protein: A hearty 35g
- Carbohydrates: Around 20g
- Sodium: This one’s a bit higher, typically around 900mg, mostly from the soup and ham, so keep that in mind!
It’s definitely a satisfying meal that gives you plenty of fuel!
Print
Irresistible Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious casserole that brings the classic flavors of Chicken Cordon Bleu to your dinner table.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup diced ham
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, diced ham, condensed cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, and Dijon mustard.
- Stir in half of the shredded Swiss cheese.
- Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix the bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the chicken mixture.
- Top with the remaining Swiss cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can use heavy cream instead of milk.
- Add a pinch of black pepper to the chicken mixture if desired.
- Serve hot with your favorite side dishes.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, easy chicken casserole, ham and cheese casserole, comfort food, weeknight dinner