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A beautifully plated Chicken Blue Ribbon dish garnished with herbs.

Chicken Blue Ribbon

A decadently creamy and cheesy one-pan casserole featuring layers of chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese that's perfect for family dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 660
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Casserole Components
  • 5 cups shredded chicken Rotisserie chicken can be used for convenience.
  • 9 ounces sliced deli-style black forest ham, cut into strips
  • 8 ounces sliced Swiss cheese Can substitute with Gruyère or cheddar cheese.
Sauce Ingredients
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter Divided: 6 tablespoons for the sauce, and 4 tablespoons softened for topping.
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice Optional
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg Optional
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper Optional
  • 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
Topping
  • 1 ½ cups Panko breadcrumbs
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature For mixing with breadcrumbs.
  • Chopped parsley Optional for garnish.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Evenly spread 5 cups shredded chicken into the baking dish.
  3. Layer 9 ounces sliced deli-style black forest ham over the chicken.
  4. Place 8 ounces sliced Swiss cheese evenly over the ham, overlapping to fit.
Cooking the Sauce
  1. Melt 6 tablespoons unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Whisk in 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (if using), 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (if using), and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (if using).
  3. Sprinkle in 6 tablespoons flour and whisk until it forms a paste.
  4. Slowly add 3 cups whole milk, a quarter cup at a time. Whisk until smooth.
  5. Allow the sauce to simmer for 4 minutes or until thick, whisking occasionally.
  6. Pour the sauce over the cheese layer and spread it around.
Topping and Baking
  1. Combine 1 ½ cups Panko breadcrumbs and 4 tablespoons softened butter in a bowl and spread over the casserole.
  2. Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, until bubbling and golden brown.
  3. Let sit for 5 minutes to set. Sprinkle with chopped parsley (if desired) and serve.

Notes

Serve alongside a vibrant green salad for a pop of color and freshness. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.