Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is the perfect easy meal for those who love the combination of chicken and ham with plenty of cheese and creaminess in the classic cordon bleu recipe! This dish is easy to make and will be a hit with your whole family!

If you’re looking for more family-friendly casseroles that are easy to make and loved by all, we’ve got you covered! Trymillion dollar spaghetti,King Ranch casserole, orcrack chicken casserolenext!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe - The Recipe Critic (1)

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

This chicken cordon bleu casserole is an easy, foolproof meal that even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy! It’s made with simple ingredients like chicken, ham and cheese in a creamy sauce. Everyone from the kids to adults will go crazy for the flavor and texture in this irresistible dish!

Fuss-free and flavorfulrotisserie chicken is layered with ham, Swiss cheese, an amazing lemon cream sauce and is topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs. Bake until bubbly and golden brown for a hearty, satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. You can even assemble the casserole a day ahead of time! See the “storing leftovers” section for make-ahead instructions.

Ingredients Needed

This chicken cordon bleu casserole recipe uses many kitchen staples for a mouth-watering, amazing dinner! It’s a great recipe for using up leftover shredded chicken and ham, if you have it. You can find exact measurements for each ingredient in the recipe card below.

  • Chicken Breast: Rotisserie chicken is great because it is convenient and adds so much extra flavor.
  • Ham: Deli ham is really handy but if you have leftover cooked ham, that works great too!
  • Cheese: Swiss cheese is the traditional cheese variety used in cordon bleu recipes, but gouda or provolone would be delicious too. You want a creamy cheese that will get nice and melty.
  • Butter: Mix with the breadcrumbs and seasoning to make the topping bake up golden brown.
  • Breadcrumbs: We’re using panko bread crumbs for delicious crispiness.
  • Seasoning:Italian seasoning andsalt gives the bread crumb topping extra flavor.

Lemon Cream Sauce

  • Butter: Unsalted butter makes the cream sauce flavorful and rich.
  • Flour: To thicken the sauce for the chicken cordon bleu casserole.
  • Broth: Use low sodium, good quality chicken broth for flavor and consistency in the lemon cream sauce.
  • Milk and Cream: This combo makes the sauce incredibly creamy and smooth.
  • Dijon Mustard: For a light tangy taste.
  • Cheese: The sauce is finished with a blend ofshredded parmesan cheese and shreddedSwiss cheese.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds wonderful fresh, lemony flavor.
  • Salt & Pepper: To taste!

How to Make Cordon Bleu Casserole

There are several steps to follow when making this casserole, but they’re all very simple and straightforward. Once you make the topping and the sauce for the cordon bleu casserole, just assemble all of the layers in a pan and bake! Here’s how it all comes together:

  1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 3-quart baking dish with pan spray.
  2. Add the Meat: Spread the shredded chicken in the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle the ham evenly over the chicken.
  3. Make the Topping: In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, panko, Italian seasoning, and salt. Set aside.
  4. Making the Sauce: Prepare the lemon cream sauce by melting the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk to combine. Continue to whisk until the mixture becomes nutty and fragrant and the bubbling subsides, about 2 minutes.
  5. Finish the Sauce: Slowly whisk in the broth, milk, cream, and dijon. Whisk until smooth and thickened, which should only take a minute or two. Whisk in the cheese slowly, whisking until it is fully melted. Whisk in the lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Assemble and Bake: Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken and ham and top with the shredded Swiss cheese. Top with the panko mixture and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the casserole is bubbling and the bread crumbs are golden brown. Top cordon bleu casserole with chopped parsley and hollandaise, if desired.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2)

Tips and Variations

Here are some helpful tips and ways to make this dish your own! This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is so tasty, I know your family is going to go crazy for it just like mine does!

  • Different Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is called for in the recipe card, but you can use any cooked, boneless chicken. This could be leftover chicken from another recipe, frozen cooked chicken, canned, or some you have cooked up and cut up or shredded just for this recipe! Make it easy and use what you have on hand.
  • Type of Ham: While cubed ham adds great texture, any ham will do. Use deli ham that has been chopped up, diced ham, leftover baked ham…just be sure whatever ham you use is cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • Broil: Don’t be alarmed if the panko isn’t browning very deeply! You can brown it by turning the oven to broil for a minute or two, but keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe - The Recipe Critic (3)

Storing Leftovers

  • Make Ahead: Cordon bleu casserole is a great prepare-ahead meal! You can make the sauce up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container until you’re ready to assemble your casserole. You may also assemble the whole casserole the day before, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator. Allow 10-15 extra minutes of baking time, since all the ingredients will be chilled.
  • Leftovers in the Refrigerator:Store leftovers in an airtight storage container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • In the Freezer:To freeze, transfer leftovers to an airtight freezer-safe storage container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • To Reheat:Heat leftover cordon bleu casserole in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, until the casserole has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe - The Recipe Critic (4)

More Delicious Casserole Recipes

Casseroles are some of our favorite go-to meals! They’re easy to make, flavorful and so comforting! For all of my family’s favorites, check out this full list of casseroles!

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Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

By: Alyssa Rivers

This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is the perfect easy meal for those who love the combination of chicken and ham with plenty of cheese and creaminess in the classic cordon bleu recipe! This dish is easy to make and will be a hit with your whole family!

Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

Lemon Cream Sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 3-quart baking dish with pan spray.

  • Spread the shredded chicken in the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle the ham evenly over the chicken.

  • In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, panko, Italian seasoning, and salt. Set aside.

  • Prepare the lemon cream sauce by melting the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk to combine. Continue to whisk until the mixture becomes nutty and fragrant and the bubbling subsides, about 2 minutes.

  • Slowly whisk in the broth, milk, cream, and dijon. Whisk until smooth and thickened, which should only take a minute or two. Whisk in the cheese slowly, whisking until it is fully melted. Whisk in the lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.

  • Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken and ham and top with the shredded Swiss cheese. Top with the panko mixture and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the casserole is bubbling and the bread crumbs are golden brown. Top with chopped parsley and hollandaise, if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 572kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 24gFat: 44gSaturated Fat: 25gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 132mgSodium: 1139mgPotassium: 310mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1241IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 468mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

Read More About Me

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Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

What is the blue in chicken cordon bleu? ›

It is fun to note, though, that the term “cordon bleu” translates to “blue ribbon” in French and has its roots in the special order of French knights. In 1578, Henry III of France established that the highest order of knighthood be acknowledged by a blue ribbon.

What is the history of cordon bleu recipe? ›

History. The origins of cordon bleu as a schnitzel filled with cheese are in Brig, Switzerland, probably about the 1940s, first mentioned in a cookbook from 1949. The earliest reference to "chicken cordon bleu" in The New York Times is dated to 1967, while similar veal recipes are found from at least 1955.

What cuisine is cordon bleu? ›

The dish, which is Swiss in origin—a derivative of schnitzel—takes its name from the French term “cordon bleu” in reference to the wide blue ribbon worn by members of the highest order of knighthood, L'Ordre des Chevaliers du Saint-Esprit, instituted by Henri III of France in 1578.

Why is it chicken cordon bleu? ›

The owner of the restaurant was so happy about the idea that he offered her 'the cordon bleu' (the blue ribbon) a French metaphor for an excellent cook. The modest lady answered that she does not need a blue ribbon, but that 'cordon bleu' would be a nice name for her creation.

Why does my chicken cordon bleu look pink? ›

The USDA says that as long as all parts of the chicken have reached a minimum internal temperature of 165°, it is safe to eat. Color does not indicate doneness. The USDA further explains that even fully cooked poultry can sometimes show a pinkish tinge in the meat and juices.

What is Cordon Bleu sauce made of? ›

Cordon Bleu sauce is made with a butter and garlic base, then flour and milk are added to thicken it. It is then seasoned with Dijon mustard, Parmesan cheese, and herbs to create a decadent sauce.

What country is chicken cordon bleu from? ›

For years I believed that chicken cordon bleu was a French invention, but it actually originated in Switzerland as a schnitzel filled with cheese around the 1940s, with the first reference to it in a cookbook in 1949.

What is a fun fact about cordon bleu? ›

The name Le Cordon Bleu has been used for the first time in relation to culinary excellence since the 16th century when King Henry III created one of the most important orders in France, “L'Ordre du Saint-Esprit.” Symbolising this order was the cross of the Holy Spirit which hung on a blue ribbon or un cordon bleu.

What does Le Cordon Bleu mean in English? ›

Le Cordon Bleu ([lə kɔʁdɔ̃ blø]; French for "The Blue Ribbon"; abbreviated LCB) is an international network of hospitality and culinary schools teaching French haute cuisine. Its educational focuses are hospitality management, culinary arts, and gastronomy.

What is another name for chicken cordon bleu? ›

Chicken Involitini (Cordon Bleu)

Can you freeze homemade chicken cordon bleu? ›

Freeze and Bake Later Method: Prepare chicken as directed but do not bake. Cover tightly with aluminum foil; freeze up to 3 months. To thaw, place in refrigerator for 24 hours or until thawed.

Why is cordon bleu so famous? ›

The History of Le Cordon Bleu

Symbolising this order was the cross of the Holy Spirit which hung on a blue ribbon or un cordon bleu. Due to the prestigious nature of this Order and the decadent feasts accompanying their ceremonies, the name Le Cordon Bleu became well recognised and celebrated.

Why is Le Cordon Bleu so expensive? ›

It's a business, they will charge whatever people are willing to pay. They may say it's because of equipment, or what you get with that price tag but the truth is simply put, just about how much they can pull out of your bank account. Graduate with honors and 40K of debt (still paying).

What's the difference between schnitzel and cordon bleu? ›

A similar dish to cordon bleu is schnitzel, which is also made with pounded thin meat that is breaded and fried until crispy. However, schnitzel is not typically filled with ham and cheese like cordon bleu is.

What is the blue stuff in chicken? ›

It's actually just a vegetable-based dye, commonly made from color-rich roots or berries, and fully edible. So, the next time you find a green or blue speck on your farm-fresh meat, don't toss it out. You're just seeing the evidence that the meat was inspected, and passed.

What is the blue thing on chicken? ›

Wattles- Found under the beak, the wattles are the fleshy red lobes of skin. Some wattles are brown or blue. Just like the comb, they aid in regulating body temperature.

Why is some chicken meat blue? ›

When bacteria grow on food, they can produce pigments that result in discoloration. Color changes, such as turning blue, are generally a sign of spoilage in food products. It's possible that the chicken or other ingredients in the wrap have begun to decompose, leading to the growth of bacteria.

What color is cordon bleu? ›

Cordon Bleu is a soft, muted, sunny citrus yellow with a mustard-yellow undertone. It is a perfect paint color for a Tuscan-styled kitchen. Pair it with white or deep toned trim.

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