Elegant Pioneer Woman Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe

Pioneer Woman’s chicken cordon bleu casserole transforms classic French-inspired flavors into a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that brings warmth to any dinner table.

Layers of tender chicken mingle with rich, salty ham and creamy melted cheeses for an irresistible combination.

Crispy panko breadcrumbs add a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, velvety interior.

Smooth cheese sauce binds everything together, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Home cooks appreciate how this recipe simplifies a traditionally complex meal into an approachable, delicious option.

Why Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Tastes Fancy

• Craft a Decadent Comfort Meal: This casserole transforms the classic chicken cordon bleu into an effortless one-dish wonder that eliminates complicated rolling and stuffing techniques while delivering maximum flavor and creamy indulgence.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Champion: With just one hour from start to finish, this recipe provides a gourmet-style meal that's achievable for busy home cooks, offering restaurant-quality taste without complex preparation or extensive cooking skills.
• Cheese Lover's Ultimate Dream: Featuring a luxurious blend of Swiss and mozzarella cheeses melted into a velvety sauce, this dish creates an irresistibly rich and creamy experience that coats tender chicken and savory ham in pure deliciousness.
• Textural Excitement in Every Bite: The crispy panko breadcrumb topping provides a satisfying crunch that perfectly contrasts against the smooth cheese sauce and tender chicken, ensuring a delightful sensory experience with each forkful.

Everything That Goes Into This Comfort Bake

• Chicken Cutlets: Lean protein base of the casserole, best when evenly cut and fresh.
• Ham: Adds savory flavor and traditional cordon bleu element, diced for easy distribution.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create smooth sauce and crispy topping.
• Swiss Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating creamy texture with mild tangy notes.
• Milk: Helps create smooth, velvety cheese sauce base.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall dish flavor.
• Cayenne Pepper: Optional spice for adding subtle heat.
• Flour: Helps thicken cheese sauce and create smooth consistency.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth of flavor to cheese sauce.
• Dijon Mustard: Provides tangy, sharp undertone to cheese sauce.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Creates crispy, golden topping with nice crunch.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds fresh herb flavor and bright green color garnish.

Step-by-Step Instructions for a French-Inspired Dish

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously butter a 9×13-inch casserole dish, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Season and Sear the Chicken

• Season chicken cutlets with
• salt
• black pepper

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add butter. Cook 4 chicken cutlets for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with another teaspoon of butter for remaining cutlets.

Step 3: Brown the Ham

In the same skillet, add diced ham. Cook over medium heat for 2 minutes until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.

Step 4: Create Creamy Cheese Sauce

• Milk
• Chicken broth
• Optional: Cayenne pepper

• Mustard
• Swiss cheese
• Mozzarella cheese

Season with remaining salt and pepper.

Step 5: Layer the Casserole

Spread 1 cheese sauce in bottom of prepared dish. Arrange chicken cutlets in single layer, slightly overlapping. Top with remaining cheese sauce. Sprinkle remaining Swiss and mozzarella cheeses.

Step 6: Prepare Crispy Topping

• Panko breadcrumbs
• Chopped parsley
• Melted butter

Sprinkle mixture evenly over cheese.

Step 7: Bake and Serve

Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until topping turns golden and casserole bubbles. Garnish with additional parsley. Serve hot alongside steamed rice and green beans if desired.

Smart Tips to Master Chicken Cordon Bleu Bake

• Slice Chicken with Precision: Stabilize the chicken breast on a cutting board, using steady hand movements to slice horizontally. Keep the knife parallel to the board for uniform thickness.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Whisk milk gradually into the roux, maintaining a smooth motion. Grate cheese finely to ensure seamless melting without clumping.
• Achieve Perfect Browning: Lightly sear chicken pieces until just golden, creating a delicate exterior. This technique locks in moisture and adds rich flavor before baking.
• Layer Strategically: Overlap chicken pieces carefully in the baking dish. Slightly stacking helps retain juiciness and distributes heat evenly during cooking.
• Watch for Baking Signals: Golden-brown top and bubbling edges indicate your casserole has reached peak deliciousness. These visual cues mean your dish is perfectly cooked and ready to serve.

How to Store Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Well

• Vacuum Seal Method: Extract air completely from a specialized bag using a vacuum sealer. Protect the casserole from freezer burn and preserve its original flavor and texture for maximum 3 months. Works best when the dish is completely cooled and wrapped tightly.
• Individual Portion Freeze Method: Slice casserole into single-serving portions before freezing. Wrap each portion separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Allows convenient reheating of exactly how much you want without thawing the entire dish.
• Glass Container Storage Method: Transfer cooled casserole into clear glass containers with airtight seals. Stack containers efficiently in the refrigerator for easy visibility and quick access. Keeps food fresh for 4 days and allows simple monitoring of leftover quantity.

Exciting Twists on This Classic Casserole Dish

• Mediterranean Magic: Replace Swiss and mozzarella with feta cheese, add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and swap ham for prosciutto. Sprinkle oregano and fresh basil on top for an authentic Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Sensation: Incorporate diced green chiles, replace Swiss cheese with pepper jack, and add a dash of cumin and chili powder. Top with crispy corn tortilla strips instead of panko for extra crunch.
• Low-Carb Keto Comfort: Skip the panko topping and use crushed pork rinds instead. Substitute milk with heavy cream for a richer sauce. Add cauliflower rice as a side to keep the dish low-carbohydrate friendly.
• Smoky Bacon Blast: Crumble crispy bacon over the casserole before baking, use smoked Gouda cheese instead of Swiss, and add a splash of liquid smoke to the cheese sauce for intense depth of flavor.

Ending the Night with a Fancy Yet Easy Casserole

Culinary magic unfolds in this Pioneer Woman Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, where classic flavors dance together in harmonious celebration.

Cheese cascades over tender chicken, creating a symphony of comfort and indulgence.

Crispy panko breadcrumbs add delightful texture, elevating each forkful to gourmet heights.

Layers of Swiss and mozzarella cheese embrace succulent chicken and smoky ham in a creamy embrace.

Home cooks can easily master this elegant dish that promises restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

You’ll find yourself craving this irresistible casserole that beckons family and friends to gather, savor, and share.

Pioneer Woman Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe

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4.9 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Pioneer Woman Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole brings classic French-inspired comfort to your dinner table with a creamy, cheesy twist. Layers of tender chicken, savory ham, and Swiss cheese meld together under a golden, crispy breadcrumb topping that promises pure satisfaction.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 8 chicken cutlets
• ½ cup diced ham

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Dairy, Cheese, and Baking Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons salted butter, divided (plus additional for greasing the casserole dish)
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups milk
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup grated Swiss cheese, divided
• 1 cup grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese, divided
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish

Optional Serving Suggestions:

• Steamed rice
• Green beans

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and thoroughly grease a 9-by-13-inch (23-by-33-centimeter) baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
2. Season chicken cutlets with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium temperature and melt 1 teaspoon butter. Cook chicken cutlets for 2-3 minutes per side until golden, ensuring a light sear without fully cooking. Transfer to a separate plate and repeat with another teaspoon of butter for remaining cutlets.
3. In the same skillet, sauté diced ham over medium heat until lightly caramelized, approximately 2 minutes. Remove ham and set aside.
4. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in the skillet, then whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to create a roux. Gradually incorporate milk and chicken broth, adding optional cayenne for heat. Simmer while stirring constantly until sauce thickens, about 3 minutes.
5. Remove sauce from heat and blend in Dijon mustard. Stir in 1/2 cup each of Swiss and mozzarella cheeses until completely melted. Season with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
6. Spread 1 1/2 cups cheese sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer chicken cutlets in a slightly overlapping arrangement. Pour remaining cheese sauce over chicken and sprinkle additional Swiss and mozzarella cheeses on top.
7. Mix panko breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, and 2 teaspoons melted butter. Evenly distribute this crispy topping across the casserole.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the topping turns golden brown and the casserole bubbles around the edges. Garnish with extra fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately, accompanied by steamed rice and green beans for a complete meal.

Notes

• Slice Chicken with Precision: Carefully butterfly the chicken breast by placing it flat, pressing gently, and cutting horizontally to create even, tender cutlets perfect for consistent cooking.
• Create Silky Smooth Sauce: Whisk milk gradually into the pan, incorporating grated cheese slowly to ensure a velvety texture without any unwanted lumps.
• Capture Perfect Baking Signs: Watch for golden-brown tops and bubbling edges, which signal your casserole has reached peak deliciousness and is ready to serve.
• Layer Chicken for Maximum Moisture: Overlap chicken pieces slightly in the baking dish to help retain juiciness and distribute heat evenly.
• Achieve Ideal Chicken Searing: Lightly brown chicken on both sides during initial frying, allowing it to finish cooking in the oven without becoming dry.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Adjust sauce thickness by cooking longer if too runny or adding milk if too dense, aiming for a spoon-coating texture that enhances the dish’s overall appeal.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg