• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Munchkin Time
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Chicken Recipes

    Creamy Chicken Casserole

    Sep 13, 2023 by Munchkin Time · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    1.3K shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Creamy Chicken Casserole - Made with cubed ham and chicken in a cream sauce seasoned with Dijon mustard and cayenne, smothered in melted Swiss cheese, and topped with a buttery crispy breadcrumb topping. It’s all done in one skillet using a handful of fresh wholesome ingredients. No canned condensed soups here!

    When YOU make this Easy Chicken Casserole Recipe please tag us on @munchkintimeblog on Instagram, we would LOVE to see your creation! 

    Creamy Chicken Casserole

    When there’s a chill in the air and the leaves start to turn, it becomes all about the warm comfort meals in my house. Soup is a must, but so are casseroles!

    We love a family-friendly casserole. Whether it’s a hash brown ham and cheese casserole in the morning or a chicken thigh mushroom casserole for dinner, we devour them all!

    This creamy chicken and ham casserole is one of our new favorites and I just know you’re going to love it too. It’s a simple casserole made with the flavors of the classic chicken cordon bleu without all the fuss of rolling chicken cutlets!

    Casseroles, like this chicken cordon bleu casserole, are great for making ahead to have it ready to bake on busy weeknights. It’s also nice to be able to sit down for Sunday dinner with the family and share in the deliciousness that is this chicken casserole recipe!

    Ingredients Needed

    • Ham: Cut into cubes. This is the perfect opportunity to use leftover ham from Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. If you’re not using leftovers, grab a ham steak from the store and cut it into cubes.
    • Chicken: Same with the chicken. Use leftovers if you have them. A great way to prevent waste! Use about 4 cups of cooked cubed or shredded chicken.
    • Salt & Pepper: To taste.
    • Swiss Cheese: Freshly grated from a block of Swiss cheese, this signature flavor in a chicken classic cordon bleu recipe is a welcome addition to the creaminess in the sauce. It adds a lovely sharpness.
    • Onion: An aromatic that provides a wonderful flavor to the base of the sauce.
    • Butter: Used to sauté the meat as well as the onions for extra flavor.
      Flour: Since we’re not using any condensed soups we need the flour to help thicken up the sauce.
    • Ground Mustard and Cayenne Pepper: Both seasonings add a kick! One tangy and pungent and the other one spicy. They cut through the cream nicely adding to the sharp flavor of the Swiss cheese.
    • Whole Milk: I like to use whole milk because it has enough fat that gives the sauce richness without being too watery.
      Fresh Parsley: Finely chopped for garnish.
    • For the Topping: Breadcrumbs, Swiss cheese, and butter. You can use Panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs, it’s up to you.

    If you’re looking for a casserole to make with leftover turkey, you’ll love my creamy and cheesy turkey potato casserole recipe too!

    How to Make Chicken Casserole

    How to Make Chicken Casserole

    Step 1: Melt 1 Tablespoon of butter in an oven-proof skillet over medium heat. If you don’t have an oven-proof skillet that’s ok, it just makes it easier not to have to transfer everything to a casserole dish. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and cook it for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once it’s cooked through, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate.

    cooking ham

    Step 2: In the same skillet, cook the ham until browned. This should be about 4-5 minutes. Transfer the diced ham to the plate with the chicken.

    sautéing onion

    Step 3: Again, using the same skillet, add the butter and onion and sauté until the onion is softened. Stir a few times.

    Step 4: Then, stir in the flour, ground mustard, and cayenne pepper. Whisk until everything is combined.creamy sauce

    Step 5: Slowly pour in the milk, continuously whisking until everything comes up to a gentle boil and the mixture is smooth and free of any flour lumps. Season with salt and pepper and continue to cook for a couple of minutes until the sauce thickens.

    How to Make Chicken Casserole

    Step 6: Add the cooked chicken and ham back into the skillet and add the Swiss cheese. Stir to combine until the cheese melts. Sprinkle the topping over the chicken and transfer the skillet to the oven to bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes until bubbly. The topping should be golden brown.

    Serve garnished with fresh parsley and serve with pasta or salad on the side. Enjoy!

    What to Serve with Creamy Chicken Casserole

    This is great for serving over egg noodles, rice, or pasta to complete your meal. If you’re looking for something a little lower in carbs, feel free to enjoy it with a simple side salad or some mixed veggies on the side.

    You may even want to keep a basket of bread on the table to scoop up all that yummy, creamy sauce.

    Recipe Tips

    • If you’re using previously cooked chicken, this creamy chicken casserole will be even faster. Just add it to the skillet to heat through and continue on with the rest of the steps. Don’t overcook it, the last thing you want is dry chicken!
    • No cast-iron skillet? No problem. Use any large skillet and when it comes time to bake it, transfer the creamy filling to a 9 x 13 casserole dish and then add the topping. Bake as directed.
    • A different cheese. One of the best things about a homemade recipe is that you can always tweak it to suit your tastes. If Swiss cheese isn’t your family’s favorite, feel free to swap it with whatever is. Cheddar, Havarti, Gouda, Mozzarella, or Provolone can all be used.
    Creamy Chicken Casserole

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I add vegetables to my creamy chicken casserole?

    Absolutely! What a great way to sneak in some veggies. Try adding diced bell peppers, mushrooms, peas, carrots, zucchini, or even spinach would be great.

    Can I use a different meat?

    Sure thing. I mean, we’re straying from the idea of a chicken cordon bleu casserole, but hey, it’s yours to do as you like! You can make this with leftover holiday turkey instead of chicken. Or, try sausage or bacon instead.

    How should I store leftovers?

    Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat in the oven or the microwave, depending on how much you’re reheating at once.

    Can I make it ahead of time?

    Can I make it ahead of time?
    Prepare and assemble the casserole up until the point of adding the topping. Cover it with plastic wrap and foil and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking it. When you’re ready to bake it, add the topping and bake as directed.

    Keep in mind that you can add the topping ahead of time, it just may become soggy the longer you leave it without baking it.

    Other Chicken Recipes

    • Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
    • Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
    • Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs 
    • Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
    • Greek Chicken Quinoa Bowl 

    📖 Recipe

    Creamy Chicken Casserole

    Creamy Chicken Casserole

    Love Keil
    Creamy Chicken Casserole - an easy casserole made with the flavors of the classic chicken cordon bleu without all the fuss of rolling chicken cutlets!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Main Coarse
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 636 kcal

    Equipment

    • oven-proof skillet

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups ham cubed
    • 2 cups chicken breasts cut into small cubes (or use 4 cups of cooked chicken, cubed)
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 large onion
    • 6 tablespoons butter cubed, 1 for sautéing + 5 for the sauce
    • ⅓ cup flour
    • ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
    • ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg 100% optional
    • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
    • 2 cups milk whole milk
    • 1 cup Swiss cheese shredded
    • 1 tablespoon parsley finely chopped

    Topping

    • 1 ½ cups bread crumbs
    • ½ cup Swiss cheese shredded
    • ¼ cup butter melted

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350F. Using an oven-proof skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Season chicken with salt and pepper, to taste and add it to the skillet, cook until chicken is cooked thru stirring few times, about 5-10 minutes, transfer to a plate.
      How to Make Chicken Casserole
    • To the same skillet add 2 cups of ham, cook until browned 4-5 minutes, stirring few times. Transfer ham to a plate with chicken.
      cooking ham

    Sauce

    • Into the same skillet add onion and 5 tablespoons of butter, and saute until onion is tender about 5 minutes, stirring few times.
      sautéing onion
    • After, stir in ⅓ cup of flour, ⅛ teaspoon of ground mustard, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper and ⅛ teaspoon of nutmeg (optional), mix until everything is combined. Slowly pour in 2 cups of milk, whisking continuously. Bring it to a gently boil, season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes, stirring few times.
      creamy sauce
    • Return ham and chicken back into the skillet with the sauce, add 1 cup of Swiss cheese and stir to combine. In a bowl combine all of the topping ingredients, then sprinkle over the top of the chicken. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and golden color on top. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with pasta or salad. Enjoy!
      How to Make Chicken Casserole

    Notes

    Hi! All content & images are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or simply link back to this post for the recipe. Thank you.
     
    When YOU make this Easy Chicken Casserole Recipe please tag us on @munchkintimeblog on Instagram, we would LOVE to see your creation! 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 636kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 35gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 22gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 146mgSodium: 1043mgPotassium: 567mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1031IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 409mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Q. Do YOU like this Creamy Chicken Casserole Recipe?

    Let us know in the comments below, we would love to hear from you!

     

    Thank YOU for YOUR Comment, Share & Recipe Review!

    More Chicken Recipes

    • Perfectly Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs Skewers on a blue plate.
      Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs Skewers
    • High Protein Breakfast sandwiches using Ground Turkey and Eggs Omelette Roll.
      High Protein Breakfast (Ground Turkey and Eggs Omelette Roll)
    • instant pot shredded chicken tacos
      How to Make Shredded Chicken Tacos
    • Homemade Chicken Mac and Cheese
      Homemade Chicken Mac and Cheese

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Love Keil from munchkintime.com

    Love Keil is a food photographer, blogger and a recipe developer. She is passionate about creating delicious homemade meals for her family.

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Chicken Recipes
      Honey Soy Chicken Thighs Recipe (Video)

    • Easy Chicken Madeira Recipe with Secret Sauce
      Easy Chicken Madeira Recipe with Secret Sauce

    • Easy Chicken Alfredo Recipe
      Easy Chicken Alfredo Recipe with Pasta

    • 2 Smoked Salmon Avocado Toasts with Cherry Tomatoes
      Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast with Cherry Tomatoes

    • Easy Shepherd's Pie
      Easy Shepherd's Pie

    • Cooked chicken thighs
      Best Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe (VIDEO)

    Favorites

    • Easy Ground Beef Casserole
      Easy Ground Beef Casserole (Video)

    • Best Swedish Meatballs and Gravy
      Best Swedish Meatballs and Gravy

    • smash chicken burger
      Smash Chicken Burger (Video)

    • Perfectly Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs Skewers on a blue plate.
      Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs Skewers

    • best way to cook ribeye steak
      How to Cook Ribeye Steak in the Oven (Video)

    • Creamy Tomato Bisque Soup with bacon grilled cheese sandwich. 
      Creamy Tomato Bisque Soup Recipe 

    • salad and dressing
      Cucumber Tomato Salad

    • carne asada steak sliced on a cutting board and ready to be served.
      Best Carne Asada Marinade

    • Best Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
      Best Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

    • Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Burrito
      Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Burrito

    Footer

    Privacy Policy About Contact

    Copyright © 2024 MunchkinTime

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

    This worked exactly as written, thanks!
    My family love this recipe!
    Thank you for sharing this recipe!
    Quick question...

    Or write in your own words:

    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.