Day 8 of the Casserole series

Chicken Cordon Blue Casserole
2 pounds chicken breast cut into bite size pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 pound ham diced
1 cup milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 cloves minced garlic
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
4 tbsp butter -divided
2 tbsp flour
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1 pound short cut pasta

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Lightly grease a 9x13 casserole dish.
Cook your pasta in salted water 1 minute shy of what the box directs, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water in case you need to thin your sauce later.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper and Sauté the chicken in the oil over medium high heat 5-7 minutes. When it’s almost done add the ham in to crisp it.
Add the chicken and ham and pan juices to the drained, cooked pasta and mix.
In the skillet you cooked the chicken in, add the butter and garlic.
When melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk and cream and bring to a slow boil.
Add the shredded cheese and stir until melted.
Add in the Dijon mustard and more salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce seems too think add a little pasta water to it.
Pour the sauce in with the pasta and mix together. Pour everything into a greased 9x13 casserole dish.
Melt the other 2 tbsp butter in a pan, add the Panko and toast until golden brown, just a couple of minutes and sprinkle over the casserole.
Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes.
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