If you’re living the keto lifestyle and suddenly crave the rich flavors of Chicken Cordon Bleu, you’re in the perfect spot. Traditional chicken cordon bleu is undeniably tasty, but it’s typically a breaded carb bomb cloaked in more carbs with a flour-thickened sauce to top it off. This low carb chicken cordon bleu casserole delivers all those beloved elements — tender chicken, savory ham, melty Swiss cheese, creamy sauce, and a golden crust — without the carb overload.
Why This Low Carb Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Is Keto-Friendly
This recipe nails the keto balance by focusing on protein and healthy fats while eliminating the usual carb-heavy steps:
- High protein from chicken and ham keeps you feeling truly satisfied, not reaching for snacks an hour later.
- Low carb thanks to no breading and no flour-based sauces.
- Keto-friendly fats come from cream cheese, heavy cream, and Swiss cheese, giving the casserole a rich, comforting texture.
It’s classic comfort food energy, minus the carb guilt.
Essential Ingredients that Make This Keto Chicken Cordon Bleu Special
Every ingredient plays a crucial role in this simple yet flavorful dish:
Chicken Breasts
Lean and sturdy, perfect for baking in a creamy sauce. Using pre-cooked chicken like rotisserie makes this an effortless weeknight meal.
Quality Ham
Adds that signature salty bite for authentic cordon bleu taste. Opt for nitrate-free if preferred, but above all, choose ham that’s delicious on its own.
Swiss Cheese
The nutty, melty classic cheese for cordon bleu, often lower in carbs than many blends.
Cream Cheese
A secret weapon creating the creamy sauce texture without flour or starches.
Heavy Cream
Smooths the sauce and enriches every bite with satisfying fat that completes the dish.
Flavor and Texture: Does it Capture the Real Cordon Bleu Experience?
Not an exact breaded roll replica, but it delivers keto-friendly deliciousness:
- Flavor: classic ham and Swiss combo with a creamy, slightly tangy sauce.
- Texture: luscious and creamy beneath a bubbly, golden top; a well-baked crust offers that crave-worthy slight crispiness.
- Satisfaction: high — you’ll forget about carbs while enjoying every bite.
Tips for Perfect Low Carb Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
- Bake until edges bubble and top browns lightly for maximum flavor.
- Use thicker ham slices chopped up for hearty bites instead of deli-thin.
- Shred your own Swiss cheese to avoid anti-caking agents and get better melt.
Easy Ingredient Swaps
- Chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier results.
- Gruyère in place of Swiss for a richer, slightly smoky twist.
- Craving a breadcrumb feel? Lightly sprinkle crushed pork rinds or almond flour mixed with melted butter on top.
Meal Prep and Storage
- Assemble up to a day ahead, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F for best texture; microwave works but won’t keep the crisp top.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as a cozy weeknight dinner with a big leafy green salad and keto-friendly dressing.
- Pair with creamy cauliflower mash for ultimate comfort.
- Add garlic butter green beans, roasted broccoli, or sautéed zucchini for a fresh vegetable side.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day, like most cheesy keto meals.
Conclusion
This Low Carb Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole showcases the classic flavors of chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese with a creamy sauce, while skillfully eliminating the breading and carb-heavy sauce components. It’s rich, filling, comforting, and perfect for your keto dinner rotation. Try it once, and it might just become your new keto go-to that you’ll want to make again and again.
Low Carb Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Equipment
- 9×13-inch Baking Dish
- large skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
For the chicken and ham base
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and chopped into bite sized pieces
- 8 ounces thick sliced ham, diced use good quality ham with no added sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter for greasing the baking dish
For the creamy sauce
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth preferably low sodium
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste, depending on saltiness of ham and broth
For the cheese topping
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese freshly shredded for best melt
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the crunchy keto crust
- 1 cup crushed pork rinds crushed to a fine crumb
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika for color and flavor
Optional garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter.
- Spread the chopped cooked chicken evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish, then scatter the diced ham evenly over the chicken and set the dish aside.
- Add the softened cream cheese to a mixing bowl and beat or whisk until smooth and free of lumps.
- Whisk in the heavy whipping cream a little at a time until the mixture is smooth and pourable, then whisk in the chicken broth, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt until fully combined.
- Pour the creamy sauce evenly over the chicken and ham in the baking dish, gently shaking the dish to help the sauce settle down into the gaps.
- Sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese evenly over the top of the sauced chicken and ham, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese.
- In a small bowl combine the crushed pork rinds, melted butter, and paprika, stirring until all of the crumbs are evenly coated and resemble damp sand.
- Sprinkle the pork rind mixture evenly over the top of the casserole to form a loose, even crust.
- Bake the casserole uncovered for about 25 to 30 minutes until the edges are bubbly, the cheese is melted, and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
- If the topping is browning too quickly before the casserole is hot and bubbly, loosely tent the dish with foil for the remaining baking time.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 5 to 10 minutes to thicken slightly and make cleaner slices.
- Garnish the top with chopped fresh parsley if using, then scoop into portions and serve hot with your favorite keto friendly sides.
Notes
Nutrition
