Ingredients
- Chicken: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded or diced. You can use rotisserie chicken for ultimate convenience, or bake, poach, or grill your own chicken. Leftover chicken works perfectly too! Aim for about 4-5 cups of shredded or diced cooked chicken.
- Ham: 8 oz cooked ham, diced. Deli ham, leftover holiday ham, or even ham steaks will work. For a smokier flavor, consider using Black Forest ham or smoked ham hock meat (cooked and diced).
- Swiss Cheese: 8 oz Swiss cheese, shredded. Emmental or Gruyere cheese can be substituted for a slightly different flavor profile. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but shredding your own from a block will melt more smoothly.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: 2 (10.75 oz) cans cream of chicken soup. This forms the creamy base of the casserole. For a richer flavor, consider using cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup in combination with cream of chicken. For a lighter option, you can use reduced-fat cream of chicken soup or even make your own creamy sauce from scratch (see variations in the tips section).
- Milk: ½ cup milk. This thins out the cream of chicken soup to create a smoother sauce. You can use whole milk, 2% milk, or even evaporated milk for a richer sauce. Chicken broth or stock can also be used for a more savory flavor.
- Mayonnaise: ½ cup mayonnaise. Mayonnaise adds richness and tanginess to the sauce. Light mayonnaise or Greek yogurt (for a tangier and slightly healthier option) can be substituted.
- Dijon Mustard: 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard. Dijon mustard provides a subtle tang and depth of flavor that complements the ham and cheese. Stone-ground mustard or even yellow mustard can be used in a pinch, but Dijon is recommended for the best flavor.
- Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Garlic powder adds a savory note to the casserole. Fresh minced garlic can also be used (about 2 cloves), sautéed lightly before adding to the sauce mixture.
- Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon onion powder. Onion powder enhances the savory flavors. Finely diced sautéed onion can be used instead for a fresher onion flavor.
- Salt: ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste. Seasoning is crucial! Adjust salt according to your taste, keeping in mind that ham and cheese are already salty.
- Black Pepper: ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste. Freshly ground black pepper is always preferred for the best flavor.
- Breadcrumbs: 1 cup breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are recommended for a crispier topping. Italian seasoned breadcrumbs or crushed buttery crackers can also be used for different textures and flavors.
- Melted Butter: 4 tablespoons melted butter. Butter adds richness and helps the breadcrumbs brown beautifully. Olive oil can be used as a substitute, but butter provides a richer flavor.
- Optional Garnishes: Fresh parsley, chopped chives, or a sprinkle of paprika for visual appeal and added flavor.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Dish
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the casserole bakes evenly and the breadcrumb topping becomes golden brown and crispy.
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. This prevents the casserole from sticking to the dish and makes serving easier. You can use cooking spray, butter, or olive oil to grease the dish. A slightly deeper dish can also be used if you prefer a thicker casserole.
Step 2: Combine the Sauce Ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, milk, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Whisk all the ingredients together until smooth and well combined. Ensure there are no lumps of cream of chicken soup remaining. This forms the creamy and flavorful base of your casserole.
- Tip: For an even smoother sauce, you can briefly blend the sauce ingredients using an immersion blender or in a regular blender before adding the chicken and ham.
Step 3: Incorporate Chicken, Ham, and Cheese
- Add the cooked and shredded or diced chicken, diced ham, and shredded Swiss cheese to the bowl with the sauce mixture.
- Gently stir everything together until the chicken, ham, and cheese are evenly distributed throughout the sauce. Make sure all the ingredients are coated in the creamy sauce.
- Tip: Don’t overmix at this stage. Gentle stirring is sufficient to combine the ingredients without making the chicken stringy.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
- Pour the chicken and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Spread the mixture evenly in the dish to ensure even baking. You can use a spatula or spoon to level the surface.
Step 5: Prepare the Breadcrumb Topping
- In a separate small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and melted butter.
- Toss the breadcrumbs with the melted butter until they are evenly coated and slightly moistened. This will help them brown and crisp up during baking.
- Tip: For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture.
Step 6: Top the Casserole with Breadcrumbs
- Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the chicken mixture in the baking dish.
- Distribute the breadcrumbs in a single layer for even browning.
Step 7: Bake the Casserole
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through, bubbly around the edges, and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and crispy.
- Check for doneness by inserting a knife into the center of the casserole. It should come out hot. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) if you are using a meat thermometer, although the chicken is already cooked, ensuring it’s heated through is key.
- Tip: If the breadcrumbs are browning too quickly before the casserole is heated through, you can loosely tent the baking dish with foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
Step 8: Let it Rest and Serve
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set slightly and makes it easier to serve.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, chopped chives, or a sprinkle of paprika, if desired, for visual appeal and added freshness.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 450-550
- Sugar: 5-7 grams
- Sodium: 800-1000 mg
- Fat: 25-30 grams
- Saturated Fat: 10-15 grams
- Carbohydrates: 20-25 grams
- Protein: 35-40 grams
- Cholesterol: 150-180 mg