Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

There’s nothing quite like traditional chicken cordon bleu. Salty ham and creamy cheese stuffed into tender, crispy chicken — what’s not to love? Well… the hassle of making it, for sure! That’s why I crafted this easy chicken cordon bleu casserole recipe.

angled shot of serving spoon in corner of casserole dish


 

While the flavors and texture of the classic dish are completely crave-worthy, the time and effort can be a little much. Stuffing that chicken and cooking it just right can be a hands-on, time-consuming task that makes it a meal that’s not ideal for just any night. 

So be prepared to have your socks knocked off. This casserole recipe takes all the steps for making a dish with all of the flavors of classic chicken cordon bleu from daunting to dreamy!

overhead shot of baked chicken cordon bleu casserole

Why This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is Going to Be Your Go-To

This cheesy, chicken-filled goodness is about to become your new favorite recipe. Here’s why! 

  • All natural. A lot of recipes call for canned creamy soup — but not this one. You’ll get all of the traditional flavors of chicken cordon bleu with easy, natural ingredients. 
  • Lower-carb. While you can serve this delicious dish with carbs, the recipe itself is lower in carbs than many. If you’re looking to make it even more low carb, skip the crunchy topping.
  • Easy. This casserole channels all of the flavors of the traditional recipe but with significantly less prep time. 

Ingredients

The ingredient list looks a little long, but they’re all easy to find at your local grocery store!

  • Unsalted Butter – A bit of unsalted butter adds richness and flavor to the sauce
  • Cloves of Garlic – Finely mince or grate the cloves before tossing them in. 
  • Flour – Thicken things with flour. It gives the sauce a rich and creamy texture.
  • Whole Milk – Whole milk creates the base of the sauce, making sure it’s silky smooth.
  • Dijon Mustard – A spoonful of Dijon mustard adds a touch of tanginess.
  • Lemon Juice – A splash of lemon juice brightens things up, giving the casserole a zesty kick.
  • Coarse Kosher Salt – Sprinkle in some coarse kosher salt to bring out the flavors and provide balance.
  • Ground Black Pepper – A pinch of ground black pepper adds just the right amount of gentle heat.
  • Smoked Paprika – This ingredient makes the dish subtle smoky (and extra satisfying!).
  • Shredded Swiss Cheese – A generous helping of shredded Swiss cheese adds gooey, melty goodness. If you want a milder variety, try using shredded mozzarella or provolone.
  • Parmesan Cheese – We never skimp on the Parmesan at our house! Add plenty to impart the traditional flavor of this dish.
  • Cooked Chicken, Diced or Shredded – While you can make chicken specifically for this, you can also use leftovers or a rotisserie chicken.
  • Ham Steak, Cubed – Throw in some cubed ham steak for that savory, salty flavor that’s classic in a chicken cordon bleu.

Crunchy Topping

  • Butter – Melt the butter in intervals in the microwave to make sure it isn’t overheated.
  • Italian Seasoning – Give the topping some classic Italian flavor with this seasoning. 
  • Garlic Powder – We can never get enough garlic here! Use powder to disperse it evenly in the topping.
  • Panko Bread Crumbs – Panko gives the topping the perfect crunch factor. Looking for buttery flavor? Try using crushed Ritz crackers.
  • Fresh Parsley, For Garnish (Optional) – Garnish with some fresh parsley for an extra pop of color and freshness.
close up overhead shot of chicken cordon bleu casserole

How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Making this casserole is so easy you’ll be whipping up this breezy version of the classic on the regular.

  1. Sauté garlic in butter. Add the butter to a saucepan. Once melted, stir in the garlic. 
  2. Make roux. Gradually add the flour and whisk until a roux has formed. 
  3. Add milk, lemon and seasonings. Pour in the milk and lemon juice before whisking in the Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika. Allow the sauce to simmer. 
  4. Whisk in cheese. Sprinkle in the cheeses and whisk until they have fully melted, then remove the pan from the stove. 
  5. Add ham, chicken and sauce to dish. Place the ham and chicken in the prepared baking dish and pour the cheese sauce over top. 
  6. Toss meats in sauce. Toss gently to ensure the ham and chicken mixture is coated. 

Crunchy Topping:

  1. Mix ingredients. Mix together the melted butter, Italian seasoning, breadcrumbs, and garlic powder in a small bowl. 
  2. Add to top of casserole. Top the casserole with the breadcrumb and butter mixture. 
  3. Bake and allow to rest briefly. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.

What to Serve With Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

This casserole is one that you can spoon on your plate and just dig into all on its own. But, you can also serve it with homemade bread, rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta like egg noodles or buttered noodles.

Want to get some nutritious veggies in? Try adding a side of broccolini, roasted vegetables, or a simple side salad.

angled close up shot of chicken cordon bleu casserole

Variations 

While this French classic turned casserole is pretty incredible on its own, there are a bunch of ways to add a twist. 

  • Bacon – Add crispy bacon bits to the casserole for even more savory flavor. Bacon makes everything better, right?
  • Herbs– Incorporate fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley into the sauce for added freshness and aroma. 
  • Veggies – Mix in a variety of diced vegetables such as bell peppers, chopped cauliflower, asparagus, spinach, or mushrooms to add color and nutrients to the casserole. 
  • Spicy Kick – Add Cajun seasoning or hot sauce to the sauce mixture for a spicy flavor profile. Or, include diced jalapenos for an extra kick of heat. 
  • Mushrooms – Sauté sliced mushrooms with garlic and butter, then spread them with the chicken and ham for a rich, earthy flavor. 
  • Italian Inspiration – Replace the Dijon mustard with pesto sauce and add sun-dried tomatoes and artichoke hearts for an Italian twist.
  • Tex-Mex – Season the chicken with taco seasoning and add black beans and corn kernels to the casserole for some Tex-Mex flair. Take it up a notch by using pepper jack cheese instead of Swiss for a spicy kick. 

Storage and Freezing

The great part about this recipe is that it’s so easy to store and reheat — just take it straight from the fridge or freezer and toss it in the oven or the microwave. 

Make Ahead

You can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, then assemble the casserole and cook when ready. 

How to Store Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Store leftovers of this casserole in its original dish or an airtight container for three to four days.

Can I Freeze Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole?

You can easily store this casserole in the freezer for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. 

Common Questions About Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

What is cordon bleu sauce made of?

This creamy sauce is made by combining a flour-based garlicky roux with Dijon mustard, fresh herbs, and nutty parmesan cheese.

What’s the difference between chicken Kiev and chicken cordon bleu?

Chicken Kiev is typically stuffed with her bed butter while chicken cordon bleu has a filling of ham and cheese.

What to eat with chicken cordon bleu?

You can pair starches like potatoes, rice, or pasta with chicken cordon Bleu. It’s also a great pairing with veggies, whether cooked or served as a salad.

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overhead shot of serving spoon in chicken cordon bleu casserole with text overlay
angled shot of serving spoon in corner of casserole dish

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

5 from 9 votes
With all the flavors of classic chicken cordon bleu, this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole simplifies things for the ultimate EASY dinner!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Casserole:

Crunchy Topping (optional):

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13 or 3 quart casserole dish with cooking spray or vegetable shortening. Set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the garlic, stirring for 1 minutes until softened. Whisk in the flour until it forms a paste.
  • Continue to whisk while adding the milk, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper and paprika. Bring to a low simmer and then whisk in the Swiss and Parmesan cheese until melted. Remove from the heat.
  • Spread the cooked chicken and ham into the prepared baking dish. Cover with the cheese sauce, turning to coat evenly. Set aside if you are making the crunchy topping, otherwise, bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
  • Crunchy Topping:
  • In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Add the melted butter, stirring until it is all wet. Evenly sprinkle over the casserole.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Remove and allow to sit for 5 minutes before eating. Top with chopped parsley, if desired.
  • If you tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.

Nutrition

Calories: 360 kcal, Carbohydrates: 12 g, Protein: 28 g, Fat: 22 g, Saturated Fat: 12 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6 g, Trans Fat: 0.3 g, Cholesterol: 91 mg, Sodium: 1481 mg, Potassium: 433 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 4 g, Vitamin A: 589 IU, Vitamin C: 30 mg, Calcium: 318 mg, Iron: 2 mg
Author: Jessica Formicola
Calories: 360
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken cordon bleu casserole
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
collage of chicken cordon bleu casserole for pinterest
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

5 from 9 votes

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    This casserole is so rich and flavorful. Served it for dinner with a salad, but could see it working great for brunch too!

  2. 5 stars
    I love how rich and creamy this is, and it’s so easy to make! This is further proof that what I always say is true. If you can turn something into a casserole, you definitely should!

  3. 5 stars
    This was a hit with my family! I made it when my in laws came to visit and my mother in law asked for the recipe!

  4. 5 stars
    What a great way to use ham and such a good idea for a casserole. I loved making this and transforming one of my favorite chicken dishes to a hearty casserole!

  5. 5 stars
    This is such a great way to enjoy Cordon Bleu! Made it for a potluck last weekend and everyone was raving about it.