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Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
If you love the flavors of chicken cordon bleu, but want a dish that is quicker and easier to prepare than the original, try this delicious casserole. Perfect for potluck dinners and buffets, this casserole is very easy to prepare ahead and reheat and keep warm for as long as you need. While not traditional, we also really like adding a few cups of cooked, chopped broccoli to the casserole. You can substitute a wide variety of cooked meats for the chicken and ham including turkey, turkey ham, and Canadian bacon, and can also use just about any type of cheese you prefer - Cheddar, Provolone, Parmesan, Colby, or even a mix of cheeses. We always use larger chunks of chicken compared to the ham for a better mix, but since all the meat is cooked you can cut the meats any way you prefer or have on hand. For more crunch sliced toasted almonds or other nuts can also be added to the topping if desired.
6 tablespoons softened butter, divided
1 medium diced onion
2 minced garlic cloves
1/3 cup flour
1 cup chicken stock or broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese, divided
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
Freshly ground black pepper
4 cups cubed cooked chicken
3 cups diced cooked ham
2 cups dry seasoned bread crumbs
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13 X 9 inch baking dish. Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and saute for 5-7 minutes or until translucent. Add the garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes more, or until the garlic is fragrant. Mix in the flour to form a thick paste. Slowly whisk in the broth, heavy cream, 1 cup of the cheese, mustard, and black pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce is thick and the cheese is melted. Add the chicken and ham and toss well to coat with the sauce. Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan. In a small bowl combine the remaining butter, cheese, and bread crumbs and sprinkle on top of the casserole. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes until piping hot.
Makes 10 servings.
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
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