Name: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed, shredded; 2 cups cubed fully cooked ham; 4 ounces Swiss cheese, thinly sliced; SAUCE:; 1/4 cup butter, cubed; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 2-1/2 cups 2% milk; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; TOPPING:; 1-1/2 cups panko bread crumbs; 6 tablespoons butter, melted; 1-1/2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes

Chicken cordon bleu casserole is made with all the same great flavors of the classic dish but with half the fuss. It'll have everyone coming back for seconds.

Ingredients

1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed, shredded

2 cups cubed fully cooked ham

4 ounces Swiss cheese, thinly sliced

SAUCE:

1/4 cup butter, cubed

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2-1/2 cups 2% milk

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

TOPPING:

1-1/2 cups panko bread crumbs

6 tablespoons butter, melted

1-1/2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes

Instructions

1 Layer the chicken, ham and cheese

2 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 13x9x2-inch casserole dish. Place the chicken in the baking dish, and top with the ham and cheese.

3 Make the roux

4 In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour until a smooth paste forms.

5 Prepare the sauce

6 Gradually whisk in the milk. Continuing to stir constantly, bring the mixture to a boil. Cook, stirring, until thickened, two to three minutes. Add the lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper. Editor's Tip: Gradually adding the milk to the roux is the secret to a smooth, lump-free sauce.

7 Pour the sauce over the casserole

8 Remove the saucepan from heat. Pour the sauce evenly over the cheese layer.

9 Top with bread crumbs, and bake

10 Place the bread crumbs, butter and parsley in a small bowl, and toss well to coat. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole. Bake, uncovered, for 40 to 45 minutes, until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the sauce is bubbling. Rest your chicken cordon bleu casserole for five minutes before cutting and serving. Editor's Tip: Allowing the casserole to stand for a few minutes before slicing makes it easier to cut.