Description
Comfort meets elegance in this hearty Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, blending classic French-inspired flavors with homestyle simplicity. Crispy breadcrumbs, melted cheese, and tender chicken create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein Ingredients:
- 4 cups chicken, cooked or rotisserie, shredded or diced
- 2 cups ham, diced
Cheese Ingredients:
- 2 cups Swiss cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Sauce and Additional Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups milk (skim or full cream)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon chicken or vegetable stock/bouillon powder
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets, uncooked
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly grease a 2-quart casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until it becomes frothy and slightly golden.
- Add minced garlic and sauté until aromatic, releasing its fragrant essence without browning.
- Sprinkle flour into the butter-garlic mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth roux and cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Slowly incorporate chicken broth and milk, whisking consistently to create a silky, lump-free sauce.
- Introduce Dijon mustard, Bouillon powder, and grated Parmesan cheese, blending thoroughly to integrate flavors.
- Season with salt and pepper, allowing the sauce to simmer until it reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
- Distribute broccoli evenly across the prepared casserole dish, creating a vibrant green foundation.
- Arrange a generous layer of shredded chicken followed by diced ham, creating a protein-rich landscape.
- Cascade the prepared Dijon cream sauce over the layers, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Generously sprinkle shredded Swiss and Parmesan cheese, creating a decadent, melty topping.
- Mix Panko breadcrumbs with melted butter until thoroughly combined and slightly moistened.
- Distribute the buttered breadcrumbs uniformly across the casserole’s surface for a crisp, golden crust.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top transforms into a golden-brown masterpiece and the edges bubble enthusiastically.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and herbal freshness, then serve piping hot.
Notes
- Swap broccoli for other veggies like cauliflower or zucchini to customize the casserole’s nutrition and flavor profile.
- Reduce calorie content by using low-fat cheese and milk alternatives for a lighter version of this classic comfort dish.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld together before baking for enhanced taste depth.
- Create a gluten-free adaptation by using cornstarch instead of flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 384 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 830 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg