Chicken Blue Ribbon
Chicken Blue Ribbon is a delightful casserole featuring tender chicken, savory ham, and melted Swiss cheese, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 5 cups shredded chicken Use leftover or 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.
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter 3 tablespoons for sauce, 4 tablespoons softened for topping.
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional) Enhances flavor.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional) Adds warmth to the sauce.
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) Adjust to match your spice preference.
- 6 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 ½ cups Panko breadcrumbs For a crunchy topping.
- Chopped parsley for garnish Optional.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F 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 deli-style black forest ham over the chicken.
- Place 8 ounces of sliced Swiss cheese evenly over the ham, overlapping the slices.
- Melt 6 Tablespoons of unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in 1 Tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
- Sprinkle in 6 Tablespoons of all-purpose flour and whisk until it forms a paste.
- Slowly add 3 cups of whole milk, a quarter of a cup at a time, whisking until smooth.
- Allow the mixture to simmer for 4 minutes, whisking occasionally until thickened.
- Pour the sauce over the cheese layer, spreading it evenly in the corners.
- Combine 1 ½ cups of Panko breadcrumbs with 4 Tablespoons of softened butter and spread evenly over the casserole.
Baking
- Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, or until bubbling and golden brown.
- Let sit for 5 minutes, sprinkle with chopped parsley if using, and serve.
Notes
This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables or a simple green salad. You can also enjoy it with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.