4/08/14

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

An easy casserole recipe with all the classic comfort of traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu with creamy pasta and a panko crumb topping. 


Every single time I've gotten on Pinterest in the last six months at least one of my friends has pinned a recipe for some sort of chicken cordon bleu pasta dish. Since most of my friends are a lot like me (women who work and have families with busy schedules), I tend to pay attention to the food they’re pinning. Because if they want to cook it, I imagine a lot of my readers do too.

Anywho, I kept seeing recipes similar to this. And I wanted to cook one so bad but something just kept putting me off. I just couldn't wrap my head around some of the ingredients lists I’d seen.

But I still wanted to make it.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole | An easy casserole recipe with all the classic comfort of traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu with creamy pasta and a panko crumb topping.

And when I spotted one of the packs of cubed smoked ham in the grocery store this weekend it was like a light bulb went off. Yes! That’s what it needs!

I was getting off track with recipes I’d see that called for frozen fried chicken tenders and deli ham slices. I mean, I like those things but not really in a casserole. Ya know?

So I thought about some of the key components in traditional chicken cordon bleu: chicken, smoked ham, Swiss cheese, thyme and bread crumbs for coating. OK, I can work with that.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole | An easy casserole recipe with all the classic comfort of traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu with creamy pasta and a panko crumb topping. #chicken #cordonbleu #casserole

I really didn't feel like making a béchamel sauce so I borrowed the idea of making a sauce with cream cheese from an "alfredo" recipe I once had. It was rich and creamy and did a great job holding the rest of the ingredients together.

I threw it all together and hoped for the best! It was delicious and the leftovers were even better the next day!


Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Yield: 4-6 Servings
Author:
prep time: 10 Mcook time: 30 Mtotal time: 40 M
An easy casserole recipe with all the classic comfort of traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu with creamy pasta and a panko crumb topping.

ingredients:

Casserole:
  • 1/2 pound penne pasta
  • 1 pound ham cubed ham pieces
  • 2 large chicken breasts, cooked, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 pint half-and-half
  • 1 8-ounce block cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon fresh)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 8 ounces Swiss cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
Panko topping:
  • 1 3/4 cups panko bread crumbs
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley (optional)
  • 6 tablespoon butter, melted

instructions:

How to cook Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Prepare the casserole:
  1. Spray a 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
  2. Cook pasta in liberally salted water per manufacturer’s instructions for al dente preparation; set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, heat and stir half-and-half, cream cheese, white pepper, thyme, cayenne pepper, garlic, salt and Dijon mustard over medium heat until cream cheese is melted and mixture is smooth.
  4. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, ham, chicken and cream sauce. Fold in Swiss cheese. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish then top with Panko Topping (below).
  5. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until panko topping is light golden brown.
Prepare the panko topping:
  1. In a medium bowl, combine panko, salt, garlic and parsley. Mix in melted butter. then stir with a fork until well combined.

NOTES:

Packs of cubed ham pieces are often found near the whole hams in the refrigerated section. If you can’t find a pack already cubed, just buy a ham steak, trim the fat and cut it into cubes. You can also ask for "extra thick dinner sliced" ham at the deli then cut it into cubes.
For the chicken, I poach fresh breasts in simmering water seasoned with salt and pepper then cut into cubes.
chicken, cordon bleu, cordon blue, casserole, easy, how to, best, creamy, pasta, penne, panko, crumb topping, recipe
dinner, supper, casserole

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16 comments:

  1. OMG!! That recipe sounds soo very good. I can feel my thighs and hips expanding just reading it but it would be so worth it. I could exercise a little more just to get a taste. Thank you for the recipe I will definitely pin it!!

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  2. Ok, you shamed me into making this tonight. I've seen it every time I get on Pinterest too (which is A LOT) but I love your sauce idea with the cream cheese. Throw in a little garlic bread and I am there!!!

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  3. You had me at cream cheese....love this recipe! Pinning right now.

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  4. Ooohhh,,,this was soooo good! I made this tonight along with steamed broccoli and coconut pie. I used a chunk of pre-sliced black forest ham from meat counter. I anticipate no leftovers once my son comes in from work. Off to hide some in the refrigerator. Great recipe, as are all the ones I have tried from your blog.

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  5. This is one of my favorite curry dishes, thanks for sharing this.

    Simon

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  6. I love Chicken Cordon Bleu, but my husband definitely does not. I'm always looking for new ways to try it so he won't mind it so bad. Putting this on the menu for next week.

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  7. made this a couple of weeks ago, was a big hit. My son and his soon to be wife really liked it. He really loves chicken cordon blue (they are having it at the wedding). I have never made a sauce with cream cheese, and was not sure if I would like it, but it was great. I did cheat a little and used seasoned salad croutons ground up for the topping worked very well.

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    Replies
    1. I also use croutons. those I have in the house at all times.

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  8. Just by reading the ingredients, I can almost taste how delicious this is! I know, I know, this is southern cooking, but do you think this dish would work if I used milk instead of half and half....or would it come out too 'watery'?

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    Replies
    1. I think you could make it work! I'd start with less (say 1.5 cups) and add more if needed. You're looking for a sauce similar in consistency to alfredo.

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  9. I made this exactly as stated and it was wonderful. I think next time, I will cut the recipe in half-----it makes a lot for 2 people. But we enjoyed it for a few lunches and dinners!
    Gayle

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    Replies
    1. We love leftovers so this will be perfect

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  10. Hi Mandy. I made this for dinner last night and it was excellent. We really loved it and I will definitely be making this again. (By the way, I think I found your site through Christy at Southern Plate and/or Stacey at Southern Bite). Thanks for the great recipe!

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  11. O Mandy ~~ I found your blog tonight and have so enjoyed being all over it....and thoroughly enjoy your interaction with your fans! and I am one also!! ~~ Since I'm an Old Chic...in Richmond VA....and no longer computer savvy ....I'm like out in left field ~ not a fun place even in Little League!! I could share my email address it ....except I don't ever go to my aol. address...I'm a facebook fan, gaming, cooking fool ~~ Sooo I know I have to select a profile...this will be fun ~~ your Blog and I must get your cookbooks & your alter ego's as well!!! Okay here I go ....guess I'll select Anonymous ....I'm Colleen aka the Munchkin in Richmond :D

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    Replies
    1. How many servings does this recipe make? I plan on making this for a group of 12

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Hi there! While I’m not able to respond to every comment, I try hard to answer any questions that haven’t been addressed in the post, recipe or in other comments.

I can tell you now 1) I have no idea if you can substitute Minute Rice or brown rice in my recipes because I’ve never used them and 2) If I know how to convert a recipe to a Crock Pot version, I will make a note about it (otherwise, I don’t know).

And though I may not respond to them all, I do read each and every comment and I LOVE to hear from you guys! Thanks, y’all! - Mandy