If you’re like me, you absolutely love the flavors of traditional chicken cordon bleu but you just don’t always have the time or the energy for all of the stuffing, rolling, and breading that comes with the original version. Enter the chicken cordon bleu casserole! All of the same mouth-wateringly good flavors in one simple dish. Instead of pounding cutlets and stuffing them with ham (or turkey) and cheese, I use shredded rotisserie chicken, cubes of deli ham, and a simple creamy cheese sauce all of which significantly reduce the prep time involved. Honestly, rotisserie chickens are real timesavers when it comes to meal prep, plus they’re usually pretty affordable and seasoned just perfectly! I often use one when I’m making casseroles like my million dollar chicken casserole, chicken tater tot casserole and my broccoli chicken casserole. Everything is tossed together in one dish and then topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs and baked to golden bubbly perfection! Read on to see how you can prepare this dish for a quick and easy weeknight meal. I also give you some tips on how to make the recipe and share some suggestions for how you might want to make it your own!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish puts a new spin on a classic! It combines all of the original flavors you love in a warm and filling casserole the whole family will love. It’s also easy to customize so you can make it to suit your tastes and the leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for a few days or freeze to enjoy later!
key ingredients
I like to shred a cooked rotisserie and chop up some deli ham or turkey for quick shortcuts when making this recipe. Except for the cheese, the remaining ingredients are probably already in your fridge and pantry. Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Egg noodles: These noodles are made with wheat flour and eggs. If you can’t find egg noodles, you can substitute fettuccine or linguine. Rotisserie chicken and deli ham or turkey: All you have to do is bring these home from the store, chop them up and they’re ready to use in your dish. You can also use any leftovers you have in your fridge. Cheese: Swiss cheese is the traditional pairing with chicken cordon bleu. I also add parmesan for an extra cheesy flavor. Feel free to substitute for your favorite melting cheese. Dijon mustard: This mustard cuts some of the richness from the cheesy sauce and adds a subtle tang. Panko breadcrumbs: These are lighter than regular breadcrumbs so give the topping more crunch. If you only have regular breadcrumbs, go ahead and use them. You can also use crushed crackers or crispy fried onions from a can.
How To Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
This is a fairly straightforward recipe and it comes together easily in a few minutes, especially because we’re using precooked rotisserie chicken!
Variations
Chicken cordon bleu casserole is already a fun twist on a classic, and it’s also very customizable so you can really make it your own! Here are some ideas that you might want to try:
Swap the cheese: Experiment with using grated Gruyere, cheddar, or even blue cheese! Change the protein: Chicken and ham are the classic combos for this dish, but you might want to try turkey instead. For a smokier flavor, sprinkle in some crumbled bacon. Layer in some veggies: Sauté some chopped mushrooms, broccoli, or spinach, and then layer them into your dish. Casseroles are a great way to sneak in some extra vegetables! Bring the heat: If you like a bit of heat, go ahead and layer in some diced jalapenos or add some red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the creamy sauce.
Recipe Tips
Follow these tips to ensure your casserole turns out perfectly every time!
Choose the right size dish. I suggest a 9×13-inch dish for this recipe. If your dish is too small, the creamy sauce can bubble over and a larger dish might cause your casserole to dry out. If you are going to use a different-sized dish, adjust the amounts accordingly. Don’t overcook the noodles. Cook the noodles only until they’re al dente. If you overcook them, they could turn mushy when the casserole is baking in the oven. Shred the cheese yourself. While using bags of pre-shredded cheese is convenient, the cheese doesn’t melt very well due to the anti-caking agent they use to prevent the cheese from sticking together in the bag. It’s better to buy a block of cheese and shred your own at home. Let it rest. It’s much easier to slice your casserole if you let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
Storing Tips
In the refrigerator
You can easily store your leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let the casserole leftovers cool down to room temperature then transfer them to an airtight container. Try to put your leftovers away within 2 hours after sitting at room temperature.
In the freezer
Store the entire casserole in a freezer-safe dish and cover it tightly with a lid or plastic wrap and foil. You can safely freeze this chicken and ham casserole for up to 3 months. You can also store individual portions to make it easier to reheat later. Let the frozen casserole thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating
If you’re reheating individual portions of your casserole, the easiest way to reheat them is in the microwave. Place your portion in a microwave-safe dish and heat for 1–2 minutes or until it’s heated through. You can easily use the oven when you want to reheat the whole dish or just a larger portion. Preheat it to 350°F (180°C), cover the dish with foil, and heat for 25–30 minutes until heated through. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This easy chicken cordon bleu casserole is an easy-to-prepare comforting dish that will be a real crowd-pleaser!
What To Serve With it
This comforting cordon bleu casserole is just begging to be served with some creamy garlic mashed potatoes. It’s the ultimate pairing! You could also serve it with some roasted broccolini, blanched asparagus, or a simple green salad for a lighter meal. Some warm garlic bread would also be great for mopping up all of the delicious creamy sauce! Save this recipe for the next time you have a craving for a creamy pasta dish with blue ribbon excellence in every bite! Pin it for more people to enjoy too! © Little Sunny Kitchen
