Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

Chicken cordon bleu pasta tastes like traversing the high peaks of the Alps, delicately balancing on the delicious border between Italy and France, with a little Midwest Americana thrown in for good measure. The combo of classic French chicken cordon bleu—with its juicy chicken, ham and melty Swiss cheese—and pasta in a bubbling casserole is like crossing into carb country, and it’s glorious.

In this cordon bleu pasta, there’s no pounding, rolling and pan-frying stuffed chicken. Instead, those signature flavors are folded into a rich, velvety cream sauce, swirled with penne pasta, and baked with a golden bread crumb topping that gives just the right amount of crunch. If you’re tired of hearing “Chicken … again?!” this boldly flavored baked pasta recipe is for you.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Ingredients

• Penne pasta: These sturdy little tubes are the ideal pasta shape for soaking up all that velvety sauce without collapsing into mush.
• Heavy whipping cream: Heavy whipping cream is the backbone of the sauce. It’s rich, silky and perfect for binding everything together in creamy harmony.
• Cream cheese: Adding a subtle tang, cream cheese is a fantastic shortcut to the ultimate sauce. Let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking; it will melt more easily into the sauce.
• Shredded Swiss cheese: Swiss is a nutty, mild melting cheese. One cup goes in the sauce, the rest gets sprinkled on top.
• Spices: Onion powder adds gentle, savory depth without overpowering the dish. Garlic salt brings garlicky flavor and necessary seasoning. Black pepper adds warmth.
• Cooked chicken breasts: Use leftover, rotisserie or freshly cooked chicken—whatever is easiest. The recipe calls for sliced chicken, but cubing or shredding it works too.
• Cooked bacon: Crumbled bacon adds savory, crispy, smoky drama to this casserole.
• Cooked ham: Every classic cordon bleu needs ham, which can be your favorite deli ham or leftover glazed ham that you cooked for a holiday.
• Dry bread crumbs: Bread crumbs seal the deal on the baked pasta goodness, crisping up to provide the perfect golden topping.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the pasta

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente.

Editor’s Tip: Al dente is just short of fully cooked, so it usually takes a little less time.

Step 2: Make the creamy sauce

Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat the cream and cream cheese over medium heat until they’re smooth, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1 cup of Swiss cheese and season the sauce with the onion powder, garlic salt and pepper. Stir the sauce until it’s blended.

Editor’s Tip: If the cream cheese looks lumpy at first, don’t panic. Just keep whisking—it’ll smooth out like magic.

Step 3: Assemble the pasta

Drain the pasta and stir in the chicken, bacon and ham. Add the sauce, tossing to coat everything. Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 13×9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle it with the remaining cheese and the bread crumbs.

Step 4: Bake

Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 18 to 22 minutes or until it’s heated through.

Editor’s Tip: If using a ceramic, porcelain or enameled cast iron casserole dish, place it under the broiler for one to two minutes to get an extra crispy topping. (Glass dishes like Pyrex might shatter under intense heat.)

Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Variations

• Use a different pasta: Try rotini, farfalle or even shells—anything with nooks and crannies will work well for this cordon bleu pasta bake.
• Add vegetables: A handful of peas, or a couple of cups of fresh spinach or baked broccolini stirred in with the pasta adds color and a touch of freshness.
• Use different cheeses: Use Gruyere or provolone instead of Swiss cheese.
• Try turkey or prosciutto: Leftover holiday turkey or thin slices of prosciutto work beautifully instead of ham.

How to Store Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

Let the chicken cordon bleu pasta fully cool before storing it in an airtight container. It will last up to four days in the refrigerator. Consider freezing it, baked or unbaked, for comfort-food emergencies.

Can you freeze chicken cordon bleu pasta?

Yes, you can freeze chicken cordon bleu pasta. If freezing an unbaked casserole, assemble the pasta in a freezer-safe dish, wrap it tightly in storage wrap and foil, and freeze it for up to two months. If freezing leftover pasta, let it cool, then portion it into airtight containers and freeze it. Thaw frozen chicken cordon bleu pasta overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it.

How do you reheat chicken cordon bleu pasta?

Cover and reheat the chicken cordon bleu pasta in a 350° oven until it’s warmed through (about 20 to 25 minutes) for the best results. You can also microwave smaller portions, stirring halfway through, but the breadcrumb topping will be less crisp.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Tips

What’s the best way to cook chicken breasts for chicken cordon bleu pasta?

If starting from raw, season your chicken with salt and pepper and bake, grill or poach it until it’s fully cooked (when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°). Let the chicken rest, then thinly slice thin, cube or shred it. This oven-roasted chicken breast recipe is a go-to, or if you’re feeling fancy, cook the chicken sous vide.

What can you serve with chicken cordon bleu pasta?

Chicken cordon bleu pasta is rich, so it’s best when paired with something bright, fresh and clean. Keep your meal simple with an Italian spinach salad or other side salad recipes. A plate of garlic bread is always welcome. And for dessert? Try something fruity and light, like Italian lemon cookies or a refreshing scoop of sorbet.