Description
A comforting baked casserole combining shredded chicken, Black Forest ham, and Swiss cheese, topped with a crunchy Panko crust.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 cups shredded chicken (rotisserie or poached)
- 9 ounces sliced Black Forest ham, cut into strips
- 8 ounces sliced Swiss cheese
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (for sauce)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon 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
- 1 ½ cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (for Panko)
- Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Spread the shredded chicken evenly across the bottom of the dish.
- Layer the Black Forest ham strips evenly over the chicken.
- Arrange the Swiss cheese slices evenly over the ham.
- Make the sauce: melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat and whisk in Dijon, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, nutmeg, and cayenne.
- Sprinkle in flour and whisk for 1 minute to cook the raw flour taste.
- Add milk gradually, whisking until smooth to prevent lumps.
- Simmer the sauce for about 4 minutes until thickened.
- Pour the sauce evenly over the cheese.
- Mix the Panko and 4 tablespoons softened butter until moistened, then sprinkle over the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 30–40 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Let rest for 5 minutes, garnish with parsley if desired, and serve.
Notes
For an easy variation, swap ham with smoked turkey or use gluten-free ingredients as needed.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: casserole, chicken, comfort food, potluck, baked