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–+ servings
Callie Brooks

Chicken Blue Ribbon

A comforting casserole made with layers of shredded chicken, black forest ham, and melted Swiss cheese, topped with a creamy sauce and crunchy Panko breadcrumbs.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 5 cups shredded chicken Cooked and shredded
  • 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 sauce and 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
  • Chopped parsley Optional for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 9x13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Spread 5 cups of shredded chicken evenly across the base of your baking dish.
  3. Layer the sliced black forest ham over the chicken, making sure it's evenly distributed.
  4. Add the Swiss cheese slices on top of the ham, slightly overlapping them to fill the dish.
Sauce Preparation
  1. In a saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat.
  2. Whisk in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice (if using), garlic powder, salt, nutmeg (if using), and cayenne pepper (if using) until well combined.
  3. Add the all-purpose flour and whisk continuously over medium heat until a paste forms.
  4. Gradually add the whole milk, about a quarter of a cup at a time, whisking after each addition until smooth. Allow it to simmer for about 4 minutes until it thickens.
  5. Pour the sauce over the cheese layer, making sure to cover all edges evenly.
Baking
  1. In a small bowl, mix the Panko breadcrumbs with the softened butter, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the casserole.
  2. Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, or until bubbling and golden brown on top.
  3. Let rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 32gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 900mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3g

Notes

This casserole is a meal in itself and pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad and crusty bread. You can store Chicken Blue Ribbon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave for a few minutes. This casserole can be frozen for up to 3 months. Cover well to prevent freezer burn.

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