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Chicken Blue Ribbon Casserole

A delightful casserole that combines tender chicken, savory ham, and gooey Swiss cheese, topped with a crunchy Panko crust for a comforting and crowd-pleasing dish.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Casserole, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 5 cups shredded chicken
  • 9 ounces sliced deli-style black forest ham, cut into strips (approximately 9 slices)
  • 8 ounces sliced Swiss cheese (about 12 thin slices)
For the Sauce
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter for the sauce
  • 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
  • to taste Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Evenly spread the 5 cups of shredded chicken into the baking dish.
  3. Layer the 9 ounces of sliced black forest ham over the chicken.
  4. Distribute the 8 ounces of Swiss cheese evenly over the ham, overlapping slices to fit.
Making the Sauce
  1. In a saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat.
  2. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (if using), 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg (if using), and ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper (if using).
  3. Sprinkle in 6 tablespoons of flour and whisk until it forms a paste.
  4. Gradually add 3 cups of whole milk, a quarter cup at a time, whisking until the mixture becomes smooth.
  5. Allow the sauce to simmer for about 4 minutes to thicken, stirring occasionally.
Assembly and Baking
  1. Pour the sauce over the cheese layer, distributing it evenly.
  2. In a small bowl, mix 1 ½ cups of Panko breadcrumbs with 4 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter and sprinkle it evenly over the casserole.
  3. Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
  4. Let it sit for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, then garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve!

Notes

Prep Ahead: Prepare the casserole in advance and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it. You can also add veggies like spinach or broccoli for extra nutrition. For a creamier sauce, consider adding an extra splash of cream.