Chicken Blue Ribbon
A delightful dish featuring layers of tender shredded chicken, Swiss cheese, and smoky black forest ham, topped with a creamy sauce and crispy breadcrumbs.
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)
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter for the sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional) adds brightness
- 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 for the topping
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature for mixing with breadcrumbs
- Chopped parsley (optional) for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
- In a large skillet, melt 6 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the flour, cooking for about 2 minutes until it turns golden.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring a smooth consistency.
- Add Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper, whisking until the sauce thickens.
- Combine the shredded chicken and ham in a bowl, then pour the sauce over and mix well.
- Layer half of the chicken mixture in the baking dish, followed by Swiss cheese slices.
- Add the remaining chicken mixture and top with Panko breadcrumbs mixed with 4 tablespoons of softened butter.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
Serve with fresh green salad or roasted vegetables. Portion comfortably feeds 6-8 people.