Chicken Blue Ribbon
A comforting casserole featuring tender chicken, smoky ham, and creamy Swiss cheese, topped with crispy Panko breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 5 cups shredded chicken Use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- 9 ounces sliced deli-style black forest ham, cut into strips About 9 slices.
- 8 ounces sliced Swiss cheese About 12 thin slices.
Sauce Ingredients
- 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 Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- to taste Chopped parsley Optional, for garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Evenly spread 5 cups shredded chicken into the baking dish.
- Layer 9 ounces sliced black forest ham over the chicken.
- Place 8 ounces sliced Swiss cheese evenly over the ham, overlapping the slices to fit the dish.
Making the Sauce
- Melt 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (if using), 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (if using), and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (if using).
- Sprinkle in 6 Tablespoons all-purpose flour and whisk until it forms a paste.
- Slowly add 3 cups whole milk, a quarter of a cup at a time, whisking until smooth after each addition.
- Once all the milk has been added, simmer the mixture for 4 minutes or until it thickens, whisking occasionally.
Assembly and Baking
- Pour the sauce over the cheese layer and spread it evenly.
- In a small bowl, combine 1 ½ cups Panko breadcrumbs and 4 Tablespoons softened butter. Spread this mixture evenly over the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
- Remove the dish from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
For added flavor, consider seasoning your chicken with herbs before layering it in the casserole. You can customize this dish by adding vegetables like spinach or broccoli.