Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is literally a game changer. Been making traditional chicken cordon bleu for yrs and always loved it but let’s be real – who has time for all that pounding and rolling? This casserole version gives u all those amazing flavors but takes like half the time. Seriously the combo of tender chicken, ham and that melty swiss cheese w/ the crunchy topping is just unreal!
I made this last weekend when my sister’s fam came over and everyone went back for seconds. Even my picky nephew! That’s when u know u got a winner right there. The best part? It’s super flexible – u can prep it ahead, freeze it, or even customize it w/ whatever cheese or meat u have in the fridge.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Listen, dinner time can be crazy at my house. Between work, kids’ activities and everything else, I’m always looking for meals that are easy but still taste amazing. This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole checks all those boxes.
First time I made this was for a potluck at work. Was nervous cuz my coworkers are kinda food snobs lol. But guess what? Empty dish by the end! People were asking for the recipe before they even finished eating.
What’s great is u can fancy it up for company or keep it simple for a weeknight dinner. Way more versatile than traditional chicken cordon bleu but still has that wow factor. And if ur looking for another amazing chicken dish that’ll impress, my Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is another total crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Casserole Base
- 4 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded – rotisserie chicken works amazing here and saves tons of time
- 8 oz ham, diced – I usually just grab some from the deli counter, nothing fancy needed
- 8 oz swiss cheese, sliced or shredded – fresh sliced from deli melts better than pre-packaged imo
- 1 cup sour cream – full fat gives best flavor but light works if ur watching cals
- 1 can cream of chicken soup – the secret ingredient that makes everything creamy!
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard – adds that classic cordon bleu tang
- 1 tsp garlic powder – gives depth without having to chop fresh garlic
- 1/2 tsp onion powder – adds flavor w/out chunks kids might pick out
- Salt and pepper to taste – I usually go light on salt cuz the ham’s already salty
For the Crunchy Topping
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs – these stay crunchier than regular breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp butter, melted – helps get that golden brown color
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan – the powdery kind works fine here
- 1 tsp dried parsley – mostly for color honestly lol
- 1/2 tsp paprika – adds nice color and subtle flavor
If ur gluten-free, just swap the breadcrumbs for crushed cornflakes or gluten-free breadcrumbs. And if u can’t find swiss, provolone or gruyere work great too!
How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
This is seriously so easy u guys. Way easier than traditional chicken cordon bleu but tastes just as good!
- Preheat ur oven to 350°F and grab a 9×13 baking dish. Give it a quick spray with cooking spray.
- Mix the sauce first. In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, dijon, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Should be thick but still stirrable. If it seems too thick add a splash of milk.
- Add the cooked chicken to the sauce mixture and stir till everything’s coated. This is where the flavor magic happens!
- Spread half the chicken mixture in the baking dish. Layer half the ham slices over that, then half the swiss cheese. Repeat with remaining chicken, ham and cheese. The layering is key for getting that classic cordon bleu flavor in every bite!
- Make the topping by mixing panko, melted butter, parmesan, parsley and paprika in a small bowl. Should be kinda like wet sand texture. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for about 30-35 mins. U want the top golden brown and the sides bubbling. If top browns too fast, just cover loosely with foil.
- Let it rest for like 5-10 mins before serving. Trust me on this! Helps everything set up so it’s not a runny mess when u serve it.
Pro tip: If u want extra crispy top, broil for the last minute or two but WATCH IT CLOSELY. Can go from perfect to burnt super fast!
Tasty Variations to Try
Mushroom Swiss Version
Add 8oz of sautéed mushrooms into the chicken layer. So good if ur a mushroom fan!
Bacon Upgrade
Add crumbled bacon to the topping mixture. Because honestly when does bacon not make things better??
Italian Style
Swap the swiss for mozzarella and add some Italian seasoning to the sauce. Kinda like a chicken parm meets cordon bleu situation.
Spicy Kick
Add a few dashes of hot sauce to the sauce mixture and use pepper jack instead of swiss. My hubby’s fave version!
Broccoli & Cheese
Add 2 cups steamed broccoli florets to the casserole layers. Great way to sneak in some veggies!
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Equipment
- 9×13 baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Small bowl for topping
- Oven
Ingredients
- For the Casserole Base:
- 4 cups cooked chicken diced or shredded
- 8 oz ham diced
- 8 oz Swiss cheese sliced or shredded
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Crunchy Topping:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp butter melted
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix cream of chicken soup, sour cream, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in the cooked chicken until well coated.
- Layer half the chicken mixture in the dish, then top with half the ham and half the Swiss cheese. Repeat the layers.
- In a small bowl, mix panko, melted butter, Parmesan, parsley, and paprika until combined. Sprinkle evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
- Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
- (Optional) Broil for 1–2 minutes for extra crisp topping.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
What is chicken cordon bleu casserole?
Chicken cordon bleu casserole is basically a deconstructed version of the classic dish. Instead of stuffed chicken breasts, it layers chicken, ham and swiss cheese with a creamy sauce and crunchy topping. Way easier to make but has all those same amazing flavors!
What is a good side with Chicken Cordon Bleu?
My go-to sides are simple steamed veggies like green beans or broccoli cuz they balance the richness. A light side salad works great too. If ur feeding really hungry ppl, buttered egg noodles or mashed potatoes are awesome for soaking up that amazing sauce!
How long do you cook Chicken Cordon Bleu in the oven?
For this casserole version, u bake it at 350°F for about 30-35 mins until hot and bubbly. Traditional chicken cordon bleu takes longer, usually 35-40 mins. The good thing about the casserole is since ur using pre-cooked chicken, ur really just heating it through and melting the cheese.
What is the difference between chicken Kiev and cordon bleu?
This one confused me for yrs! Chicken Kiev is stuffed with herb butter (usually garlic butter) while chicken cordon bleu is stuffed with ham and cheese. Both are breaded and fried or baked, but the filling is totally different. Kiev is Ukrainian and cordon bleu is Swiss-French.
What’s the difference between schnitzel and cordon bleu?
Schnitzel is basically just a thin piece of meat (usually pork but sometimes chicken) that’s breaded and fried. Cordon bleu takes it up a notch by stuffing ham and cheese inside before the breading. So u could say cordon bleu is like a fancy stuffed schnitzel!
Can I make this chicken cordon bleu casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! One of the best things about this recipe. Just assemble everything but don’t add the topping. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hrs. When ready to bake, add the topping and maybe an extra 5-10 mins to the bake time since it’ll be cold. Perfect for busy weeknights or when company’s coming!
How do I store leftovers?
If u even have any lol! Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat in microwave or oven (350°F covered with foil for about 15-20 mins). The topping won’t be as crunchy when reheated but still tastes amazing.
Make This Homemade Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Your Family Favorite
Every time I make this easy chicken cordon bleu casserole, it brings back memories of my mom trying to make fancy food for Sunday dinners. She’d spend hrs in the kitchen and stress about everything being perfect. Wish she had this recipe back then!
What I love most is how this dish feels special enough for celebrations but easy enough for regular days. My kids now request it for birthdays which makes me so happy.
Don’t be afraid to make it ur own – add ingredients ur family loves or adjust seasonings to your taste. That’s the beauty of cooking right? Taking something traditional and making it work for ur life today.
Hope this becomes one of those recipes u turn to again and again like it has for my family. Enjoy!