Ugh, weeknights, am I right? Between work, the kids, and everything else, sometimes all I want is a big plate of comfort food. But who has time for fussy recipes? That’s where this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole comes in! It’s seriously the *easiest* way to get that classic cordon bleu flavor without all the rolling and stuffing.
My family goes absolutely bonkers for it. Honestly, it’s one of the few things we all agree on! I’ve been tweaking this recipe for years, pulling inspiration from my grandma’s old cookbooks and a few cooking shows I’ve watched (don’t tell anyone!). Trust me, this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is a total lifesaver on those crazy weeknights. Plus, it’s just plain delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Okay, so why is this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole about to become your new fave? Let me break it down:
- Quick Prep: Seriously, you can throw this together in, like, 20 minutes flat.
- Easy Peasy: If you can stir, you can make this!
- Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters love the combo of chicken, ham, and cheese. What’s not to love, right?
- Pure Comfort: It’s warm, creamy, and just makes you feel good.
- Simple Ingredients: Nothing fancy here – just stuff you probably already have in your fridge and pantry!
Ingredients for Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this amazing Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole. Don’t worry, it’s all pretty basic stuff. You’re gonna need about 1.5 lbs of cooked and cubed boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I usually just bake mine ahead of time, but rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver, too! Then grab 8 oz of cooked and cubed ham – leftover holiday ham is *perfect* for this! You’ll also want 4 oz of shredded Swiss cheese (the real deal!), one 10.75 oz can of condensed cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup of milk, 1/4 cup of mayonnaise (don’t skimp!), a tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs, and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Oh, and don’t forget salt and pepper to taste!
How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, friend, let’s get cooking! This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is so simple, I promise you can’t mess it up. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a delicious dinner on the table in no time!
Preparing the Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Filling
First things first, let’s get that filling ready. Grab a big ol’ bowl and toss in your cooked, cubed chicken, the cubed ham, and half of that yummy Swiss cheese. It doesn’t really matter *how* you mix it, just make sure it’s all kinda distributed evenly. We want every bite to have a little bit of everything, ya know?
Creating the Creamy Sauce for Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Now for the creamy dreamy sauce! In a separate bowl, whisk together that can of cream of chicken soup, the milk, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard. Whisk it good! You want it nice and smooth, no lumps allowed. Now, give it a taste and add a little salt and pepper. Don’t be shy! This is where you get to make it *your* Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole!
Assembling and Baking Your Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Alright, time to put it all together! Pour that creamy sauce right over the chicken and ham mixture in the bowl. Stir it all up until everything’s coated nicely. Then, dump it into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly, then sprinkle the remaining Swiss cheese on top. In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and melted butter, then sprinkle *that* over the cheese. This is what gives it that amazing golden crust! Pop it into a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s golden brown, bubbly, and smells absolutely divine! Let it stand for a few minutes before serving – it’ll be HOT!
Tips for the Best Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Want to take your Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole from good to *amazing*? Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned along the way:
- Don’t Overbake It! Seriously, nobody likes dry casserole. Keep an eye on it, and pull it out when it’s bubbly and golden.
- Good Ham Matters: Cheap ham can be kinda…rubbery. Splurge on some good quality ham, and you’ll taste the difference!
- Even Breadcrumbs: Make sure those breadcrumbs are spread evenly over the top. That golden crust is the *best* part!
- Cook That Chicken! This might seem obvious, but make sure your chicken is cooked all the way through before you add it to the casserole. Nobody wants undercooked chicken!
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Variations
Okay, so you’ve made the basic Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole – awesome! But what if you want to mix things up a little? No problem! This recipe is super easy to customize. Try swapping out the Swiss for Gruyere or provolone – both are delicious! Want to sneak in some veggies? Broccoli or asparagus would be fantastic. You could even use crushed crackers or parmesan cheese instead of breadcrumbs for the topping. Oh! And if you’re feeling spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. Yum!
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
So, you’ve got this amazing Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, but what do you serve with it? Hmm, let me think! Honestly, it’s pretty versatile. I usually go with rice or noodles – they soak up that creamy sauce perfectly! A simple side salad is always a good choice to add a little freshness. Steamed veggies like green beans or broccoli are great too. And don’t forget some crusty bread for sopping up every last bit of that deliciousness!
Storing and Reheating Your Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Just pop them in an airtight container and stash ’em in the fridge. They’ll keep for 3-4 days, easy. When you’re ready to dig in again, you can reheat it in the oven (350°F until warmed through) or zap it in the microwave. Just be warned, the texture might change a little – it might not be quite as creamy, but it’ll still taste amazing!
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole FAQs
Got questions about this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole? I got you! Here are a few of the most common questions I get asked:
Can I freeze this casserole?
Yup! Just let it cool completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake as directed. The texture might be a *little* different, but it’ll still be yummy!
How long does it last in the fridge?
Covered tightly, it’ll keep for 3-4 days. Perfect for leftovers!
Can I use different types of cheese?
Absolutely! Gruyere, provolone, even a little mozzarella would be delicious. Get creative!
Can I make it ahead of time?
You bet! Assemble the casserole, cover it, and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Estimated Nutritional Information for Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Okay, so I know everyone’s curious about the nutrition info, but listen up! I’m not a nutritionist, and honestly, it’s *really* hard to give exact numbers. It all depends on the brands you use, how much cheese you pile on (guilty!), and stuff like that. So, take this with a grain of salt, okay?
But, just to give you a *very* rough idea, a typical serving of this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole might have around, oh, maybe 450 calories? And maybe around 25 grams of fat, 35 grams of protein, and about 15 grams of carbs. Of course, those are just guesses! If you’re really counting calories, I’d suggest plugging the ingredients into a nutrition calculator yourself. Just sayin’!
Enjoy Your Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole!
And that’s it! I really hope you love this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole as much as my family does! If you try it, please leave a comment and let me know what you think! And hey, if you’re feeling social, share a pic on Instagram or Facebook! Thanks for trying my recipe!
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Failproof Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole in 20 Minutes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is a simplified version of the classic dish. It combines chicken, ham, Swiss cheese, and a creamy sauce, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
- 8 oz cooked ham, cubed
- 4 oz Swiss cheese, shredded
- 1 can (10.75 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, ham, and half of the Swiss cheese.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together cream of chicken soup, milk, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and ham mixture and stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Top with remaining Swiss cheese.
- In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle over the cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Add a sprinkle of paprika for color.
- Serve over rice or noodles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
