Chicken Blue Ribbon
A comforting and delicious dish featuring tender chicken, savory ham, and creamy Swiss cheese, all topped with a delightful Panko crust. Perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 5 cups shredded chicken
- 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 and softened for 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
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Evenly spread 5 cups of shredded chicken into the baking dish.
- Layer 9 ounces of sliced black forest ham on top of the chicken.
- Place 8 ounces of sliced Swiss cheese evenly over the ham, overlapping the cheese slices to fit in the dish.
Making the Sauce
- In a saucepan, melt 6 Tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat.
- 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).
- Add 6 Tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the mixture and whisk until it forms a paste.
- Slowly add 3 cups of whole milk, a quarter cup at a time, whisking after each addition until smooth.
- Allow the sauce to simmer for about 4 minutes, whisking occasionally, until it thickens.
Assembly and Baking
- Pour the sauce over the cheese layer, spreading it evenly.
- In a small bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of Panko breadcrumbs with 4 Tablespoons of 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.
- Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with chopped parsley (optional).
Notes
For added flavor, consider using rotisserie chicken. If you like a bit more spice, adjust the cayenne pepper to your taste. Make sure to whisk the sauce continuously to keep it smooth and prevent lumps. You can switch up the meats by using turkey or smoked chicken instead of ham. For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with sautéed mushrooms or spinach. Prepare the casserole in advance and refrigerate it. You can freeze the casserole before baking for up to 2 months.