This easy chicken cordon bleu casserole is perfect for a busy weeknight meal. An amazing dinner that combines all your favorite flavors of chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese but is super fast to prepare. Cordon bleu casserole uses rotisserie chicken but you can also use leftover chicken as well! We all love an easy chicken casserole recipe and you won’t believe the secret addition that makes this one so amazing!
What I Love About Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
I am always on the hunt for leftover chicken recipes and this is a favorite. It is completely delicious and very easy. If you would rather not use rotisserie chicken, feel free to use any other form of cooked chicken, but be sure it is well seasoned. I just can’t pass up those delicious $5 rotisseries at Sam’s Club when I am in a rush. Convenience is worth it sometimes! If you don’t have a Sam’s or Costco close to you with the large rotisserie chickens, you will need two of the smaller ones they sell at your Walmart or grocer. You want somewhere between 5-6 cups of chicken.
The Funny History with Cordon Bleu Casserole
As I finished up this recipe, I caught a quick glimpse of my 3-year-old daughter outside, 100% butt-naked. Nothing. Nada. Just those cute little cheekies running down the sidewalk for all the neighborhood to see.
I dashed out the door, gathered her up, and sternly asked why in the world she playing outside naked?!? Offended, she crossed her arms and declared, “I’m not!! I have my necklace on!!” Touche, sweet child.
Those chunky cheekies also made another appearance when checking in on her before I went to bed. She was sound asleep and naked once more but accompanied by an extremely large collection of toys perfectly lined up in a very OCD manner. I’ve decided both of these instances are cute and adorable. I even took pictures to use as blackmail for when she is older. However, if there is a third naked occurrence anytime soon, I might have to begin seeking help.
You have to admire her level of body confidence. Maybe if I only ate salads, exercised all day long, and never ate anything indulgent like this chicken cordon bleu casserole, I could have the same confidence that my naked 3-year-old has 🙂 But nah…it’s not worth it. The reason I exercise every day is mainly so I can eat more food every day. For me, a 3-mile run is worth it if I can enjoy a creamy, delicious, and easy chicken casserole like this for dinner. Every one of my kids LOVE this dinner and that rarely happens. With six kids, odds are that at least one of them will turn up their nose at it. Not the case with this chicken casserole recipe.
What is Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole?
A chicken cordon bleu casserole is a much simpler version of the classic French recipe. Technically, a cordon bleu is a protein that is pounded flat, wrapped around cheese, and often ham, then breaded before being baked or fried. Generally, the proteins used are veal, pork, and chicken.
To keep meal prep simple for this casserole, the classic French flavors of chicken, ham, Swiss cheese, and Dijon mustard remain, but instead of the complex prep mentioned above, they are layered in a pan. Before going into the oven, the layers are topped with buttery bread crumbs that become golden brown in the oven. The casserole’s end result retains all the original flavors but requires significantly less work.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Ingredients & Tools
While there are always variations, the classic chicken cordon bleu casserole uses the following ingredients:
- Cooked chicken meat
- Sliced ham
- Sliced Swiss cheese
- Garlic butter bread crumbs as a topping
- Dijon mustard sauce
- Deep 9×13 inch casserole dish
What is the “Blue” in Cordon Bleu?
In French, cordon bleu means “blue ribbon,” referring to the wide blue ribbons worn by the most distinguished members of chivalry in the 1700’s. Using this same idea, today cordon bleu applies to the highest standards in food preparation. It is why you’ll find Le Cordon Bleu culinary schools and programs around the world.
FAQs about Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe
Absolutely! Use whatever seasoned leftover chicken you have on hand. Taking the extra time to pick the chicken off the bones is not at the top of my favorite tasks either. Another great option is to go into the freezer section of the grocery store and purchased pre-cooked, frozen chicken and let it thaw before using it in the recipe.
Yes, this easy casserole recipe does very well if it’s prepared a few days before you need it. To do so, simply follow the recipe as written but do not bake it quite yet. Instead, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and store it in the refrigerator until it is time to finish preparing the dinner. For safety reasons, don’t let it sit too long in the fridge. Bake and eat the casserole within 3-4 days after going into the refrigerator. Also, be sure to remove the plastic wrap and foil lid before baking!
Because the finished dish does have a creamy sauce over the top, something simple that would go well with the sauce is perfect.
– Steamed rice or quinoa
– Cooked pasta
– Roasted broccoli
– Roasted cauliflower
– Roasted asparagus
– Green salad with a garlic balsamic vinaigrette
How to make a Keto Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
To transform this recipe into a Keto-friendly chicken cordon bleu casserole, simply leave off the bread crumb topping and instead, add a few more slices of Swiss cheese over the top of the cordon bleu sauce. To keep the cheese from getting too brown, wait to add the layer of cheese on top until there are 10 minutes left in the baking time. If they are added earlier, the cheese will burn.
How to make Cordon Bleu Casserole as a freezer meal
Simply prepare the recipe as written but do not bake the chicken cordon bleu casserole before freezing. Also, be sure to use a heavy-duty disposable pan so your regular pans are not stuck in the freezer for weeks. Once you finish the prep work, top the pan first with plastic wrap, then the aluminum lid or a sheet of aluminum foil. Using both helps keep out the freezer burn if you seal it tightly. Don’t forget to label the outside with the date and finishing directions. When it is time to serve the dish, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator for a few days, then remove the plastic wrap and foil before baking according to the recipe.
Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe Variations
Being a home cook provides endless opportunities to experiment with recipes, personalizing them to your tastes and creativity. Any of the following variations would be great spin-offs of this Cordon Bleu Casserole:
- Try out a different protein – while chicken is the classic meat choice for a cordon bleu, pork, veal, or beef would work as well. As long as the meat has enough seasoning, it will be perfect.
- Substitute vegetables for the chicken – between the chicken, the ham, the Swiss cheese, and the sauce, this recipe is very protein-forward. Try adding fresh broccoli, cauliflower, or asparagus instead of the chicken. The casserole will still have the ham, cheese, and sauce for protein. But watch out! This veggie version might be even more popular than the original.
- Switch out the ham – looking for a little addition of smokiness to the casserole? Try using bacon instead of ham. Or, add a bit of an Italian flare to this French dish with some prosciutto. Or, take it all-American with sliced roast beef.
- More cheese please – while the Swiss cheese provides a nice sharpness to the finished recipe, don’t be afraid to play around with other cheeses that also have some personality to them. A sharp white cheddar, gouda, manchego, or brie would be easy substitutions.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole VIDEO
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Print
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole makes for a delicious, easy dinner recipe for a busy night. Super kid friendly chicken casserole recipe.
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
Ingredients
Base:
1 large rotisserie chicken, meat removed and pulled (about 5–6 C)
1/2 pound sliced deli-style black forest ham, chopped
1/2 pound sliced swiss cheese
Sauce:
4 Tb butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 Tb flour
3 C milk
2 Tb lemon juice
1 Tb dijion mustard
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp pepper
Topping:
4 Tb melted butter
1 1/4 C seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 C parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick spray.
- Layer the chicken in the bottom of the dish followed by the ham and finally the swiss cheese.
- Melt the butter over medium heat, in a medium saucepan, and add garlic as it melts. Keep stirring with a rubber spatula to avoid burning.
- Stir in salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and lemon juice.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the milk, slowly. Whisk often to keep clumps from forming. Turn the heat to high and cook until the sauce thickens and boils completely.
- Pour the finished sauce over the base layer already in the dish.
- Mix the topping ingredients, in a small bowl, until the butter is evenly distributed over the crumbs.
- Sprinkle over the top of the dish and bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving so the sauce with thicken just a bit.
Notes
Feel free to use any leftover chicken you have on hand instead of a rotisserie chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 th
- Calories: 474
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 1410 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 144 mg
Keywords: chicken cordon bleu casserole, leftover chicken recipes
momto5 says
so, do you think this recipe is freezable? thanks
Carole says
I believe so! Let me know how it goes for you if you try it.
Francie G. says
I made this for dinner! It was excellent! Thank you so much!
Terri @ that's some good cookin' says
It’s fun seeing how many places this casserole has shown up since I posted it on Tasty Kitchen. I’m so glad that you and your family liked it. Thanks for reposting.
Melissa J. says
Hi there! My 10 year old son and I made this for dinner for my husband and my 8 yr old daughter last night. Oh my gosh, it was delicious! So so good. Thank you for sharing it:)
Carole says
I love that your son was in there helping you make it! Thanks for your comment!
Kim says
Made this for dinner for my husband and I . Tuna out GREAT .
Carole says
Thanks Kim for coming back and letting me know! It is my favorite part of this whole experience when I hear back from my readers. -Carole
Michelle says
Do you know the nutritional information for this recipe? I’m mainly interested in the calorie count.
Carole says
Michelle – I do not have that information but there are many wonderful websites you could enter the ingredients and find the nutritional info you are looking for! -Carole
Michelle says
By chance what are some sides you would serve with….the veggie part is easy for me! It’s the carb/starchy part I’m wondering. Would you put this casserole on top of rice or egg noodles or just serve it as is with a veggie side and some bread?? Thanks in advance!! 🙂
Carole says
Michelle- I would serve it just as it is with a veggie or salad and some bread
Kristy says
Hi Carole,
I love your recipes especially because I have a large family myself ! However I am wondering how many this feeds or how many you make to feed your family ?
Thanks !!
Carole says
Thanks for your kind comment Kristy! I make one recipe of this great dish to feed my family but I serve it with a side dish as well.
Kristy says
Perfect!! Thank you !! It is on the menu for this evening !
Sara says
i adapted this recipe with a half bag of no yolk egg noodles under the meats… It’s in the oven now, so the jury is out on whether it should be made as one whole casserole, or use recipe as is and pile it on egg noodles after its cooked. Thanks for the new idea!
Carole says
Love the idea Sara and anxious to hear how it went with the noodles in the casserole!
Trish says
Big hit with the family- daughter says “it’s divine!” : )
Carole says
Thanks so much Trish for coming back and sharing your experience! It means a lot to me -Carole
Leah says
This looks so good! I have it prepared and am going to throw it in the oven when I get back from a birthday party tonight. The only thing is, I used 3 cups of vanilla almond milk instead of milk, because we don’t really drink that much dairy and that’s all I had! Hope it works! It smelled kind of sweet, but I’m hoping the seasonings and other flavors and cheese will make it more ‘normal’. 🙂 Have you ever used alternative milks?
Leah
Carole says
You will have to let me know how it worked for you Leah. You could always use a plain almond or soy milk instead!
Jane says
I was looking for a recipe to use up some white meat chicken I had in the fridge. I found this on Pinterest and gave it a go tonight – we loved it! The only change I made was to put a layer of sauteed spinach on the bottom of the casserole then followed the directions exactly. I was afraid I wouldn’t like the cream sauce after I tasted it before putting it in the oven but it worked out really well. I think this would also be good with sauteed mushrooms added and/or maybe a bed of pre-cooked bow-tie pasta. Thanks for a keeper!
Carole says
Love all your great ideas Jane! Thanks for sharing
Tracy says
I made this tonight and it was fabulous. I used provolone cheese instead of Swiss and Italian Four cheese blend for Parmesan. This is definitely a keeper. Thank You for sharing.
Carole says
So glad you loved it Tracy!
Maureen says
Can this be made a day in advance?
Carole says
Absolutely Maureen! Just assemble the casserole, cover it tightly and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake it
Carrie says
Trying this recipe tonite! I want to put rice under the dish, but am afraid that it won’t cook! I may cook it before and put the casserole over the top when it’s all done. Can’t wait!
Carole says
Let me know how it works Carrie!
Meg says
This is one of our family favorites!!
Carole says
I’m so glad to hear it Meg! Thanks so much for coming back and leaving your review.
Jackie.galayda says
Mine is in my in my oven as w3 speak. I did however added a few ingredients. I used chicken thighs that I boiled and deboned and cubed a ham steak and mixed them together. I made the cream sause as written but added a box of drained chopped spinach and crispy bacon bits and mixed in it in cram sauce. I also mixed seasoned Panko bread crumbs with crushed Ritz cracker, parmesean and a stick of melted butter. Buttered bottom of 9 x 13 dish and spread 1/3 of bread crumb mixture on bottom, I mixed meats with cream sauce and.put 1/3 bread crumbs on top of meat then i layered sliced swiss and grated mozzerralla on topn of bread crumbs. Repeated process until I had remainder of bread crumbs on top. Covered and baked 350 for 45 minutes and will remove foil and bake additional 15 minutes to crisp up top. Fingers crossed it come out edible., will let u know.
Carole says
Hey Jackie! I’d love to hear how your version turned out because it sounds super yummy 🙂
Rachel C says
This was SO good. The sauce definitely needs garlic and onion powder though. I made a pan with Swiss for my hubby and a pan with cheddar for me and the kids. Both were AMAZING!
Carole says
Hey there Rachel! Thanks so much for coming back and sharing how it turned out for you. Glad you loved it!
Jen says
Making this tonight for family. Sauce is yummy!! Smells so gooooood!! Can’t wait to try!!
Carole says
So glad you gave it a try Jen!
Jen says
Me too!! What a hit. Everyone loved this. All I heard was “This is sooooo good”. I will have to make this more often now. Thanks again, Carole.
Kelly Garner says
I did not get 5-6 cups from my chicken, maybe 2. I carried on and have it in the oven. I had unseasoned breadcrumbs and seasoned myself. The 1/1/4 C. makes alot of topping so I may run it by the broiler to brown up. Easy to make, plan on serving with garlic toast and Caesar Salad. Yum! It smells wonderful!
Carole says
Thanks for your feedback Kelly! The amount of chicken does greatly depend on the size of the rotisserie offered so if they are small, just grab a couple next time. thanks for stopping back and letting me know 🙂
Shawna says
Made this for Christmas dinner, as I was looking for something “fancy” but easy and it was so delicious! It’s in the oven again for dinner tonight and it’s definitely on my short list of “What to Bring Over” Service Dinner. Thank you for this delicious and simple recipe.
Oh, and I accidentally made a small change by neglecting to add the butter to the topping at the end but it was still scrumptious.
Carole says
Hey Shawna! Thanks so much for coming back and letting me know. I love this dish because it is so easy to make, yet seems fancy 🙂
Faith Devitt says
This sounds like a perfect alternative to the tradional method of preparing the dish. I can’t wait to try it and know it will be scrumptous!! Thanks for the recipe!
Carole says
You are welcome Faith! Don’t forget to come back and let me know what you thought 🙂
Tori says
We liked this but ended up with a lot of liquid in the pan. Did that happen to anyone else? 45 minutes seems like a long time and it was boiling away in there. So maybe that caused it.
Carole says
Hey there Tori! I’ve never heard about this struggle before. If you are using a cooked rotisserie chicken, that isn’t your problem. My first thought is that your sauce didn’t thicken enough or your sauce broke. 45 minutes at 350 is a perfect amount of time to thoroughly heat the dish through. If it was bubbling away, your oven might be too hot which also could have made your sauce break.
Shauna Guymon says
I LOVE chicken cordon bleu but it is way too much trouble to make so I am super thankful for this quick and easy but delicious recipe! I added a bit of garlic and onion powder to the sauce. I don’t like Swiss so I substituted Havarti. I also used cracker crumbs in place of the breadcrumbs. Can’t wait for it to come out of the oven!! I am serving with a spinach salad and rolls.
Carole says
Thanks for all your ideas Shauna! I hope you love it
Devon says
Does this get covered???
Carole says
Nope, otherwise your topping will get all soggy.
Nancy says
I’m wondering if you could use shredded Swiss instead of slices?
Carole says
Absolutely Nancy! Enjoy
LeeAnn says
Wondering if you could use something other than mustard, or if you can taste it? I like it, children not so much.
Thanks in advance
LeeAnn
Carole says
Hi LeeAnn! The mustard is certainly not going to stand out. It just adds some depth of flavor to the sauce. Your kids won’t even know it is in there.
Wendy says
Can I omit the mustard? Hubby is allergic. I like that this is so simple. Can’t wait to try it.
Carole says
You bet Wendy!
Lori Joyce says
CCan I use raw chicken breasts cut in half?
Carole says
Hey Lori! Unfortunately, raw chicken won’t work with this recipe. By the time the chicken cooked, the sauce would dry out and the topping would burn.
Hanna says
Not sure why it wouldn’t work. Couldn’t you cut the chicken into pieces. Smaller pieces will cook in the allotted time frame. I do not normally buy the rotisserie chicken. Would it be better if you cook the chicken first then and then add to the casserole?
Hanna B says
Carole. Would you not be able to have smaller pieces of chicken. If it is cooking for 45 minutes the chicken should cook. Am I wrong?
Carole says
Hi Hanna! You certainly could try it. I don’t want to tell someone that yes, the chicken would cook to the proper safe temperature until I have tested it myself.
Holly says
Carrie was wondering about trying it with rice… minute toffee mint do the trick.
Holly says
Errrr.. I meant to type “minute rice might do the trick!”
Carole says
Hey Holly! If you want to make rice as a side and serve it with the casserole, I think that would work. I wouldn’t add the rice to the casserole because it will soak up all yummy sauce.
Danielle says
Wow! So easy and so delicious! My picky 12 year old and foodie hubby both loved this dish! I used leftover chicken thighs from a previous meal and leftover spiral ham from Christmas, sauce and topping according to recipe, but substituted cheddar blend for Swiss…only because I didn’t want to go to the store in -3 snowy weather! 🙂
Served over rice with mixed vegetables.
Very tasty easy meal…will definitely make again!! Thanks for creating and sharing!
Carole says
I’m so glad it was a crowd pleaser for you Danielle! Still one of my family favorites.
Leigh Orchard says
I do believe this will be dinner tonight for my hubby and boys. Thinking about adding some precooked noodles….hope it doesn’t ruin it
Carole says
You can always cook the noodles on the side Leigh and serve the casserole over the top!
Jessica says
Can you make it without the lemon juice?
Carole says
Yes but I would use another acid of some type like a vinegar.
Stephanie says
This sounds too fabulous to ignore! Help a working girl out…How do you convert this if you have raw chicken and a slow cooker?
Carole says
Hey there Stephanie! I wish I had a quick and easy conversion for you. You can certainly sub in any cooked chicken you have, but I’ve never made it from raw chicken.
Ann Pitman says
I made this last night for my Bunco group and they raved about it. All of them asked for the recipe.. it was a huge hit. Thank you
Carole says
You are very welcome and I LOVE Bunco 🙂
Marty says
In the oven now and it smells delicious!!!! Can’t wait for it to get done.
Carole says
Awesome Marty!
Melenie Clardy says
I’m making this again for dinner tonight. It is just delicious and is in our regular rotation. I use chicken I bake myself and serve it over noodles. This time I used hot, sweet mustard just to see how it would be. It was tasty. It may be good with any kind of strongly flavored mustard! I might sometime try it with mushrooms or spinach as some of the other commenters have done. Thanks so much for this recipe!
Carole says
Hi Melanie! thanks for sharing your variations. They all sound great!
Toni says
Can you used canned chicken?
Carole says
Hi Toni! Honestly, I wouldn’t. I love canned chicken for certain recipes, but this one wouldn’t be it.
Janet says
I was wondering how many people this recipe serves? 6? 8? 12? Maybe I just missed it ?
Carole says
Hi Janet! I would say easily 6-8.
Carolyn says
This recipe had good flavor, but could have used a little added veggies or something. I think the difference was it was made with chicken chunks not chicken breast… but overall a good, easy recipe for a quick meal
Carrie says
I’ve made this recipe twice now and I 1.5 times the sauce portion only. I also added 1 lbs of our favorite cooked pasta. And an extra cup of milk. When you add the pasta, you need the sauce to be less thick. I split the casserole into to smaller pans and freeze one for a later day. Just be sure to leave off the bread crumbs until ready to bake. Thanks for sharing this scrumptious recipe!
Carole says
Thanks Carrie for coming back and sharing your version! Sounds great 🙂
Chad Berrard says
I’m a single father and this is a often used recipe. I like to get my daughter to eat veggies so I add them in as well.
Carole says
Glad it works for both you and your daughter Chad!
Daisywulf says
Made it last night and we loved it. I did make one small change. I only used a half tsp of salt in the bechamel. There’s already a lot of salt from the butter, ham, and cheeses, so I was a little concerned about adding more salt. Next time I won’t even add that much – it’s definitely not needed. And there will be a next time. This was delicious. Anyone reading this – the recipe says to let the casserole sit for a few minutes to set up aftet it comes out of the oven. This is absolutely necessary. Just like a lasagna, if you cut in too doon, it’ll be a soupy mess. Plus, it’ll be much too hot to eat. Give it a good 15 minutes. It’s worth it!
Carole says
Thank you for coming back and sharing your feedback Daisy!
Brandi says
Can you sub milk for heavy whipping cream?
Carole says
Hey Brandi! You’re going to have to help me because there isn’t whipping cream in the recipe 🙂
Kathy Wood says
I used about 8 oz of penne noodles cooked to al dente, and halved the called for amount of chicken, layered them in with the chicken on the bottom layer, and then proceeded with the rest of the steps, and it turned out great, if just a tad dry. So for adding noodles to the chicken base, might increase the liquid by a cup, which is a LOT of milk, but worth it for a creamier casserole.
My only “complaint” about this recipe is that there was soooooo much ham. When I make it next, I’m cutting the ham down by half.
Loved this casserole!
Carole says
Thanks Kathy for sharing your version of the recipe! Glad you liked it
Lynde says
Yummy
Annette DiBartolo says
I had two girlfriends over for dinner. We all thought the casserole was delicious but too salty. When I make it again I will leave out the salt. I served it with a salad and French bread.
Carole says
Thank you Annette for your feedback! Glad you enjoyed it
Don says
We make this about once a month and I love how quick it comes together!
Carole says
Love hearing that! Thank you for coming back and sharing your review of my recipe!
Jolene Wilcox says
Can this be made in a crock pot?.
Carole says
I’m sure it can….I’ve just never done it 🙂 If you try it, please come back and let me know how it turns out!
Amanda Strickland says
My husband is a MASTER at buying huge packages of chicken on sale, boiling it all up at once, then tasking me with doing something with it. This casserole is a lifesaver! I serve it over egg noodles with a side of greens and some bread, and it’s a hit! When my kids visit, they request it. I’ve played around with other cheeses, but we prefer the classic Swiss. Thanks for the great recipe (and from saving me from boiled chicken for days on end!)
Carole says
That is awesome Amanda! I too make big batches of cooked chicken and then use it all week in recipes, but I roast it in the oven. It is a nice time saver if you know how to use it 🙂