Description

This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is a comforting and cheesy dish inspired by the classic French recipe. Tender pasta is combined with a creamy sauce, chunks of chicken, and ham, then topped with buttery breadcrumbs for a satisfying and flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Pasta Ingredients:

1 pound pasta (penne or rotini recommended)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/3 cup white wine (optional)

3 cups milk

2 cups Swiss cheese (or Monterey Jack, or mozzarella), shredded

Salt, to taste

Black pepper, to taste

2 cups cooked chicken, chopped into bite-sized pieces

3/4 cup deli ham, cut into 1-inch squares

Topping Ingredients:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

1/2 tablespoon dried parsley

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Instructions

Cook chicken (if needed): If not using leftover or rotisserie chicken, cook chicken breasts with salt and pepper in the oven at 350°F (175°C) or in a skillet with oil over medium heat until cooked through. Chop into bite-sized pieces.
Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and cook until light golden brown. Add white wine (if using) and cook until reduced by half. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Add 1 1/2 cups cheese and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
Combine ingredients: Combine pasta, cheese sauce, chicken, and ham in a large pot.
Assemble casserole: Spread half of the pasta mixture in a baking dish. Top with remaining cheese. Add the rest of the pasta mixture.
Make topping: Combine melted butter, breadcrumbs, and parsley in a bowl. Sprinkle over the casserole.
Bake: Bake for 15 minutes, or until heated through and breadcrumbs are golden brown. Broil briefly if needed to brown the topping.
Serve: Serve warm.

Notes

White wine adds flavor to the sauce, but can be replaced with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
For a saucier casserole, increase the milk to 4 cups.
If the breadcrumbs are browning too quickly, cover the dish with foil.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories: 610kcal
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 820mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 110mg