This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is a comforting and incredibly easy way to bring the classic flavors of a beloved French dish to your dinner table without the fuss. It’s the perfect weeknight meal when you’re craving something satisfying and flavorful but short on time.
Key Ingredients for Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 ounces cooked ham, diced
- 8 ounces shredded Swiss cheese, divided
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup sourdough bread crumbs (from about 2 slices of toasted sourdough, pulsed in a food processor)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Whip up a restaurant-worthy meal in under an hour with this effortless Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole. This dish delivers all the rich, savory goodness you expect from traditional cordon bleu, but in a wonderfully simple, one-pan format. Imagine tender chicken, savory ham, and melty Swiss cheese enveloped in a creamy sauce, all topped with a delightful crunchy breadcrumb topping. This recipe takes about 20 minutes of prep time and 30-35 minutes of baking time, making it a true weeknight hero.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little butter.
- Cook the Chicken (Optional but Recommended): While you can use raw chicken, briefly sautéing or boiling the chicken cubes before adding them to the casserole helps ensure they are cooked through and adds an extra layer of flavor. If sautéing, heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken cubes for about 5-7 minutes until lightly browned and just cooked through. Drain any excess liquid. If boiling, simmer the chicken cubes in water for about 10 minutes until cooked through, then drain.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, Dijon mustard, paprika, and black pepper until well combined and smooth.
- Add Core Ingredients: Gently fold in the prepared chicken cubes, diced ham, and 6 ounces of the shredded Swiss cheese into the soup mixture. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Assemble the Casserole: Pour the chicken and ham mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, combine the sourdough bread crumbs and the melted butter. Stir until the bread crumbs are evenly moistened.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the buttered bread crumbs evenly over the chicken and cheese mixture in the baking dish. Then, sprinkle the remaining 2 ounces of shredded Swiss cheese over the bread crumb topping.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
You’ll adore this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole for its incredibly comforting and satisfying nature, boasting all the beloved flavors of classic Chicken Cordon Bleu without any of the finicky steps. The star of the show is the harmonious blend of tender chicken, savory ham, and gooey melted Swiss cheese, all nestled in a luxuriously creamy sauce. Plus, making this dish at home is a fantastic way to save money compared to dining out or buying pre-made versions, offering a truly budget-friendly yet gourmet experience. The crunchy sourdough breadcrumb topping adds a delightful textural contrast that elevates this casserole from simple to sensational, making it a guaranteed hit.
Unlike its more labor-intensive counterpart, this casserole is incredibly easy to assemble, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you crave a comforting meal without the stress. It’s proof that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to enjoy deeply flavorful and impressive results. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to experience a whole new level of weeknight dinner delight – you won’t be disappointed!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers:
To store leftover Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, allow it to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Refrigerate the casserole for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating:
- Oven Method (Recommended): For the best results, reheat individual portions or the entire casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15-25 minutes for individual servings, or 25-40 minutes for a larger portion, until heated through and bubbly.
- Microwave Method: You can also reheat smaller portions in the microwave. Place the desired amount in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-60 second intervals, stirring halfway through, until hot. Be aware that the breadcrumb topping may lose some of its crispness.
Freezing:
To freeze the Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole for future meals, it’s best to do so before baking or after its initial bake and cooling.
- Freezing Unbaked: Assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe baking dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Freezing Baked: Once baked and completely cooled, portion the casserole into freezer-safe containers. Cover tightly. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat using the oven method as described above, or in the microwave.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole truly is a weeknight wonder, offering all the warm, cheesy, savory goodness you crave with minimal effort. Give it a try and discover how easy and delicious comfort food can be!
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little butter.
- Cook the Chicken (Optional but Recommended): While you can use raw chicken, briefly sautéing or boiling the chicken cubes before adding them to the casserole helps ensure they are cooked through and adds an extra layer of flavor. If sautéing, heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken cubes for about 5-7 minutes until lightly browned and just cooked through. Drain any excess liquid. If boiling, simmer the chicken cubes in water for about 10 minutes until cooked through, then drain.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, Dijon mustard, paprika, and black pepper until well combined and smooth.1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Add Core Ingredients: Gently fold in the prepared chicken cubes, diced ham, and 6 ounces of the shredded Swiss cheese into the soup mixture. Stir until everything is evenly coated.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 4 ounces cooked ham, 8 ounces shredded Swiss cheese
- Assemble the Casserole: Pour the chicken and ham mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, combine the sourdough bread crumbs and the melted butter. Stir until the bread crumbs are evenly moistened.1 cup sourdough bread crumbs, 2 tablespoons butter
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the buttered bread crumbs evenly over the chicken and cheese mixture in the baking dish. Then, sprinkle the remaining 2 ounces of shredded Swiss cheese over the bread crumb topping.8 ounces shredded Swiss cheese
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly.