Description
Comfort meets elegance in this chicken cordon bleu casserole, blending classic French-inspired flavors with hearty American baking techniques. Creamy, cheesy layers of tender chicken and savory ham create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken, diced
- 3 cups Swiss cheese, shredded
- 1 pound cavatappi pasta
Liquid and Creamy Components:
- 2 (10.5-ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups half & half
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Seasoning and Topping:
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon season salt (Lowrys brand)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 cup plain panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a toasty 375°F and coat a 9×13 baking vessel with nonstick spray for effortless serving.
- Submerge cavatappi pasta in rapidly boiling water, allowing it to dance and cook until perfectly tender, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Craft a luxurious sauce blend by whisking cream of chicken soup, half & half, Dijon mustard, chopped parsley, season salt, and black pepper in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Incorporate shredded Swiss cheese, tender rotisserie chicken pieces, and the freshly cooked pasta into the creamy mixture, ensuring each ingredient mingles harmoniously.
- Transfer the sumptuous filling into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Prepare a crisp topping by combining melted butter with panko breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese, creating a golden, crunchy crown.
- Generously sprinkle the buttery breadcrumb mixture across the casserole’s surface, covering it completely for maximum texture and flavor.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a beautiful golden-brown top and bubbling edges that signal culinary perfection.
Notes
- Swap rotisserie chicken with leftover grilled or baked chicken to reduce cost and use what’s already in your kitchen.
- Replace cavatappi pasta with any short pasta like penne or rigatoni for similar texture and easy substitution.
- Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs and gluten-free cream of chicken soup to make this recipe celiac-friendly and accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Consider adding sautéed vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to boost nutritional value and introduce extra flavor complexity to the casserole.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 525
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg