Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is an absolute winner! Layers of Chicken, ham, and cheese topped with a deliciously creamy, homemade sauce and sourdough bread stuffing that is sheer perfection to finish it off.

As the weather gets colder, I look forward to pulling out some of the warm, comfort food type recipes I remember so fondly from my childhood. This chicken cordon bleu casserole is one of those recipes from my momma's kitchen that I love to make at least once every fall/winter and I know my family is going to be thrilled when I do.

There is so much to love about this dish! First of all, it's fairly easy to make. Other than mixing up the sauce and stuffing, you just layer ingredients in a casserole dish. Second, it is a fantastic way to use up some leftover cooked chicken, turkey, ham, or even holiday stuffing! That's right! This cordon bleu casserole is a perfect way to use up Thanksgiving or Christmas leftovers.

Turn This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole into a Crowd-Pleasing Thanksgiving Turkey and Stuffing Dish

Looking to save yourself some holiday stress? Wanting to switch up the way you serve up your turkey? Or perhaps you won't be having a big thanksgiving dinner gathering this year but you are still wanting your turkey and stuffing fix. This dish has got you covered!

Simply switch out the cooked chicken for cooked turkey and, just like that, you have a one-dish thanksgiving dinner!

A fee years ago, we moved to Arizona from Pennsylvania in late October. We knew that it would not be feasible to travel back to spend the holidays with family, and we had moved out here without knowing a soul. When Thanksgiving rolled around the following month, I really wanted to serve a delicious, traditional Thanksgiving dinner for my family. Yet, I knew that "all the fixings" would be far too much for our family of three.

So, I picked up some turkey breast, oven roasted it and turned this cordon bleu casserole into our own, mini holiday feast. Then, I just added a few other of our favorite Thanksgiving dishes to the spread and it was perfect!

Whether you are looking for a casserole that is fit for Sunday dinner, as a way to use up some holiday leftovers (see notes in the serving suggestions below for this), or even as a one dish Thanksgiving dinner, this chicken cordon bleu casserole is the perfect choice.!

Interested in checking out some other cozy, comfort foods? I invite you to try one of these recipes!

• Ground Beef, Potato, and Green Bean Casserole
• Brown Butter Noodles
• Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Brown Butter & Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients

For the Cream Sauce

1 ½ c. Sour Cream

1 c. Water + 1 Tbsp. Better Than Bullion (or 1 c. Chicken Broth)

½ c. Mayo

1 c. Mushrooms, finely chopped and sautéed

2 Tbsp. Minced, Dried Onion

2 tsp. Salt

1 ½ tsp. Garlic Powder

1 tsp. Onion Powder

1 tsp. Black Pepper

For the Sourdough Stuffing

1 Onion

3 Stalks Celery

½ C. Butter

8 c. Sourdough Bread, cubed (The sourdough bread makes for a really delicious stuffing. If you are unable to find/make it, no worries! Find another quality bread and use that!)

1 c. Milk

2 eggs

2 c. Warm Water + 2 teaspoon better than bullion (or 2 c. Chicken Broth)

1 ½ Tbsp. Kinder's Buttery Poultry Blend Kinder's Buttery Steakhouse Seasoning Blend. (This seasoning really makes the stuffing so yummy! However, I know not everyone may be able to get it. If that's the case, simply add the following: 1 ½ tsp. Salt, ½ tsp. Pepper, ½ tsp. Garlic Powder, ½ tsp. sage.)

For the Rest of the Casserole

4 c. Cooked Chicken (or cooked turkey)
½ lb. Ham - I like to use sliced or chipped black forest deli ham for this. But feel free to use your own favorite!
8 oz. Swiss Cheese or Gruyere Cheese, sliced or shredded (I 100% recommend using one of these cheeses, however if you or one of your family members has a strong dislike for these, go with a milder flavored white cheese, such as mozzarella.

Directions

Creating the Cream Sauce

To begin, chop mushrooms and add them to a small frying pan with about a tablespoon of butter. Sauté over medium heat until lightly browned, then remove from the heat. (If you or your family members are not fond of mushrooms whatsoever, omit them and skip this step.)

Add all listed sauce ingredients, including the mushrooms (if using), to a mixing bowl. Stir them all together, then set aside.

Crafting the Sourdough Stuffing

Chop/dice the onion and celery. Then, add them, along with the ½ c. butter to a frying pan and sauté over medium heat, stirring them around occasionally. Turn off the burner and remove them from the heat when the onions become translucent.

Cube the bread. Slice or rip the sourdough into small pieces that are about 1 inch square. Measure them and add them to a medium-large bowl.

Beat the eggs, then stir them together with the milk. Pour this mixture over the bread cubes.

Next, dissolve the Better than Bullion in the warm water before pouring this over the bread cubes as well. Or, if using chicken broth, simply pour it over the bread cubes.

Add the seasoning blend and the sauteed onions & celery. Stir everything together until well combined. Set aside to rest and allow the moisture to soak into the bread cubes.

Assembling this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Begin by layering the cooked, cubed chicken (or turkey) in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Next, layer the ham over the chicken.

Now, take that delicious, sour cream sauce you made and pour it evenly over the ham. You can decide to use it all on this layer, or just use half of it and reserve the other half to pour over the top of the casserole. Either way, is going to be delicious!

After the sauce, comes the cheese! Add it in an even layer over the sauce.

Finally, give the stuffing one last stir, then spread it over the cheese. Drizzle any remaining liquid from the stuffing mixture over everything. Then, If you have reserved some of the cream sauce, top the dish off with that.

It is read to bake! Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, slide the chicken cordon bleu casserole into the oven and bake for 1 hour.

Remove from the oven and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions for Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Your Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is a delightful medley of flavors that's sure to be a hit at the dinner table. Here are some serving suggestions to complement this comforting dish:

• Fresh Green Salad: Balance the richness of the casserole with a crisp, fresh green salad. Even just a simple salad of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a homemade vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast to the savory and creamy flavors of the casserole.
• Steamed Vegetables: Serve the Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole with a side of steamed vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, or green beans. The vibrant colors and tender-crisp texture of the veggies enhance the overall meal.
• Cranberry Sauce: Introduce a touch of sweetness with a side of cranberry sauce. The tartness of the cranberries provides a lovely contrast to the savory chicken, ham, and cheese layers in the casserole.
• Mixed Fruit Salad: Refresh the palate with a colorful mixed fruit salad. The natural sweetness of fresh fruits like berries, pineapple, and melons adds a bright and juicy element to the meal.

Remember, the beauty of this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole lies in its versatility, making it easy to pair with a variety of sides to suit your taste and occasion. Enjoy the comfort and warmth of this delicious casserole!

Storage Suggestions for Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Ensuring the proper storage of your Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is key to maintaining its delicious flavors and textures. Whether you have leftovers or are preparing the dish in advance, follow these storage suggestions for the best results:

• Refrigeration: After serving, refrigerate any leftover Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole. Place it in an airtight container or cover it securely with plastic wrap. Refrigeration helps keep the casserole fresh.
• Consume Within 4-5 Days: For optimal quality, aim to consume the refrigerated Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole within 4 to 5 days. Consider labeling the container with the date of preparation. This helps you keep track of its freshness and ensures you consume it within a reasonable timeframe.
• Freezing: Yes, this dish is perfect for freezer meals. I recommend fully prepping it according to the recipe, then bake for 45 minutes, instead of a full hour. Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature before freezing. Label, date, and freeze the casserole in a freezer-safe container and use within 3 months for the best results.
• Thawing Before Reheating: If you've frozen the casserole, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. This gradual thawing process helps maintain the integrity of the ingredients.
• Reheating Tips: When reheating the casserole, do so in the oven. For the oven, cover the dish with foil to prevent excessive drying. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes, or until heated through.

By following these storage suggestions, you can enjoy the Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole at its best, whether you're savoring it over a few days or preserving it for future meals. Proper storage ensures that every reheated serving maintains the delicious essence of this comforting dish.

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