Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe

Chicken: Cooked and shredded, it forms the base of the casserole.

Ham: Diced and adds a savory, salty flavor.

Swiss cheese: Shredded, it provides a creamy and tangy taste.

Heavy cream: Adds richness and creaminess to the dish.

Milk: Helps to create a smooth sauce.

Dijon mustard: Adds a tangy and slightly spicy flavor.

Garlic powder: Enhances the overall flavor with a hint of garlic.

Onion powder: Adds depth and a mild onion flavor.

Breadcrumbs: Creates a crispy topping for the casserole.

Butter: Melted and mixed with breadcrumbs for a golden brown crust.

When preparing the breadcrumbs mixture, consider using panko breadcrumbs instead of regular ones for an extra crispy topping. Additionally, to ensure the casserole is evenly cooked and the cheese is perfectly melted, cover the dish with aluminum foil for the first 20 minutes of baking, then remove the foil for the remaining time to allow the top to become golden brown.

• cooked chicken - Substitute with cooked turkey: Turkey has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable replacement for chicken in this casserole.

• ham - Substitute with bacon: Bacon adds a smoky flavor and a similar savory taste, though it will be slightly more intense.

• swiss cheese - Substitute with gruyere cheese: Gruyere has a similar nutty and creamy flavor, making it an excellent alternative to swiss cheese.

• heavy cream - Substitute with half-and-half: Half-and-half provides a similar creamy texture with slightly less fat content.

• milk - Substitute with unsweetened almond milk: Unsweetened almond milk can be used for a dairy-free option, though it will have a slightly different flavor.

• dijon mustard - Substitute with whole grain mustard: Whole grain mustard offers a similar tangy flavor with a bit more texture.

• garlic powder - Substitute with fresh minced garlic: Fresh minced garlic provides a more intense and aromatic garlic flavor.

• onion powder - Substitute with finely chopped onions: Finely chopped onions offer a fresh and slightly sweet onion flavor.

• breadcrumbs - Substitute with crushed cornflakes: Crushed cornflakes provide a similar crunchy texture and can be a gluten-free option.

• butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used to achieve a similar richness and moisture, with a slightly different flavor profile.

• Allow the casserole to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the breadcrumbs topping soggy.
• Transfer the casserole to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the entire dish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
• For freezing, wrap the cooled casserole tightly with plastic wrap, then with a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
• Label the package with the date and contents to keep track of its freshness.
• Freeze for up to 2-3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight.
• Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-30 minutes or until the casserole is heated through and the breadcrumbs topping is crispy.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Transfer the leftover chicken cordon bleu casserole to an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the top from over-browning.
  4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and bubbly.
  5. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the breadcrumb topping.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place a portion of the casserole in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap (leave a small vent for steam to escape).
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Stir the casserole halfway through to ensure even heating.
  5. If needed, continue heating in 1-minute increments until hot.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Place a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of butter or olive oil to the skillet.
  3. Add the leftover casserole to the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the casserole is warmed through.
  5. For a crispy bottom, remove the lid for the last 2 minutes of cooking.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover casserole in an air fryer-safe dish.
  3. Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it doesn't overcook.
  4. If the top isn't crispy enough, add an extra 2 minutes of cooking time.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover casserole in a toaster oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  4. Heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
  5. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the breadcrumb topping.

• Oven: Used to bake the casserole at a consistent temperature of 350°F (175°C).

• Mixing bowl: Needed to combine the shredded chicken, diced ham, and shredded swiss cheese.

• Whisk: Utilized to mix together the heavy cream, milk, dijon mustard, garlic powder, and onion powder.

• Greased baking dish: The container where the combined mixture is transferred for baking.

• Small bowl: Used to mix the breadcrumbs with the melted butter.

• Measuring cups: Essential for measuring out the heavy cream, milk, and breadcrumbs accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the dijon mustard, garlic powder, and onion powder.

• Spatula: Helps in stirring the cream mixture into the chicken mixture and transferring it to the baking dish.

• Cheese grater: Used to shred the swiss cheese if it is not pre-shredded.

• Knife: Needed to dice the ham into small pieces.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for dicing the ham.

• Oven mitts: Protects your hands when placing the casserole in and taking it out of the oven.

Use rotisserie chicken: Save time by using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of cooking and shredding your own.

Pre-shredded cheese: Opt for pre-shredded swiss cheese to cut down on prep time.

Deli ham: Purchase diced ham from the deli section to avoid extra chopping.

One-bowl mixing: Mix the cream mixture directly into the chicken mixture to reduce dishwashing.

Quick breadcrumbs: Use store-bought breadcrumbs to skip making your own.

Microwave butter: Melt the butter in the microwave for faster preparation.