Description
A comforting casserole featuring crispy chicken layered with ham and Swiss cheese, topped with a crunchy breadcrumb crust and smothered in a creamy cheese sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works wonders!)
- 1 cup sliced deli ham, chopped
- 1 ½ cups shredded Swiss cheese
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (use gluten-free flour blend if needed)
- 2 cups whole milk, warmed (or dairy-free milk like oat milk)
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease your 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, chopped ham, and 1 ½ cups shredded Swiss cheese. Toss gently to mix evenly. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until it forms a smooth paste and smells nutty (roux).
- Slowly pour in the warmed milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook and whisk for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix until cheese is fully melted and sauce is smooth.
- Pour the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Pour the creamy cheese sauce evenly over the chicken layer, spreading gently to cover all edges.
- In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the cheese sauce layer, pressing lightly to help it stick.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy and the casserole bubbles around the edges.
- Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow layers to set.
Notes
Use warm milk to avoid lumps in the sauce. If the breadcrumb topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil halfway through baking. Freshly shred cheese for best melting texture. Let casserole rest before serving to firm up layers. For gluten-free, substitute flour and panko with gluten-free alternatives. For extra crispy topping, add a bit more melted butter to breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximate
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 38
Keywords: chicken cordon bleu casserole, creamy cheese sauce, crispy breadcrumb topping, easy casserole, comfort food, baked chicken casserole