Zesty Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

What’s not to love about cheesy pasta with a delicious crispy au gratin crust? This recipe is comfort food that’s perfect to feed the family and entertaining.

In fact, I know you’re going to love it because it’s easy to make and when you use leftover cooked chicken, it comes together in less than 30 minutes!

Doesn’t it look incredible? Told ya 😉

I first made this dish way back in 2012, and you can tell by the picture below, we’ve come a long way! While the photos are fresh and updated, this recipe is timeless and doesn’t need any help- it’s delicious all by itself.

What is Chicken Cordon Bleu

Originally, chicken cordon bleu is breaded chicken stuffed with ham and cheese, that’s pan-fried or oven-baked. It is a laborious process, you know, the stuffing and breading of each chicken breast. 

Since my family loves the chicken + cheese + ham combo, I made a healthier version without breading. You can find the bread-less Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu here.

In short, I’ve never met anyone that didn’t like chicken cordon bleu -baked, fried, the healthy version, or otherwise. It’s the perfect people-pleaser recipe. 

This pasta takes all that crispy, crunchy, melted-cheese-goodness into a simple and larger meal that the crew will demand again and again. 

I don’t do buttered, smothered, twice baked or fried type of southern recipes, but from time to time, entertaining family and friends calls for a big pan of food that is easy to make.

Ingredients

This recipe is a terrific way to put chicken leftovers to use. Add simple ingredients, and you get the most epic -and cheesy- dinner. Here’s what you’ll need to make this zesty chicken cordon bleu pasta. For the ingredient measurements, check the recipe card below.

• Penne pasta: or your favorite variety.
• Alfredo sauce: homemade or prepared.
• Cooked chicken breast: use chicken leftovers or rotisserie chicken to save time.
• Cooked ham steak: if you don’t have ham steak, use deli ham and chop it up. If you don’t have either, add additional cooked chicken.
• Bacon or bacon bits: flavor, crunchiness, pure goodness!
• Cajun or Creole seasoning: optional for an extra zesty, spicy kick.
• Cheese: I use Monterrey Jack and Parmesan to create a delicious cheesy crust. Other cheeses that melt easily, like mozzarella, also work.

Not feeling the zest? Try my Creamy Pasta Alfredo with Ham!

What Cheese to use for Chicken Cordon Bleu

While many recipes use Mozzarella as the cheese base, I personally love the added sharpness of Monterrey Jack Cheese.

By all means, if you don’t have Monterrey Jack, use Mozzarella. You’ll definitely want to use a cheese that melts easily for this recipe -and yes, you can use the grated Italian blends you find at the grocery. Do you love feta? Then check this baked pasta spaghetti too!

What pasta is best?

I love using penne pasta in this baked chicken cordon bleu pasta because the Alfredo sauce and added seasoning often get trapped inside the penne, so I feel like it’s extra flavor in every bite.

However, any pasta will do like spiral pasta, spaghetti or even macaroni like we use in this epic Mac & Cheese Alfredo recipe!

What I love about this dinner recipe is that I can easily put to use that bit of chicken that’s leftover from the week, any deli ham that wasn’t used in lunches… you get the idea.

This recipe is another reason this meal makes me happy: I put leftovers to use and leftovers reheat great.

Best Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Sauce

Homemade Alfredo sauce is what ties this cheesy, chicken pasta dish altogether. Of course, if you’re short on time, you can use jarred alfredo sauce and still have a winning recipe.

Not convinced you’ll have the time to make your own alfredo sauce? Watch how easy it is to make at home in this video.

What makes this the best chicken pasta recipe?

With hundreds of chicken recipes on my websites and in my cookbooks, I firmly believe this is the best chicken pasta recipe you’ll find around.

The suggestion to use Cajun seasoning or Creole seasoning will add a little “zesty” and spice that takes this recipe to another level. I like to use Zatarain’s Big and Zesty Original Creole Seasoning but feel free to use what you have around.

If you don’t have any Cajun or Creole seasoning, add some paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne to your sauce. Check out the recipe notes for deets below. 

How to Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

Now that we’ve got the ingredients figured out let’s talk about the steps to make chicken cordon bleu pasta.

1. Prep the Oven
   Position the oven rack in the middle. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish or cast-iron skillet with oil.
2. Boil the Pasta
   In a large pot, bring water to boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Once cooked, remove from heat, drain water, and return pasta to the pot.
3. Mix it All Together
   To the pasta, add the Alfredo sauce, chicken, ham, crumbled bacon, and Creole seasoning, and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and heat ingredients through for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Broil
   Transfer the hot pasta mixture to the greased baking dish and top with the cheeses. Broil on low for about 3 minutes, until the cheese has melted and a golden crust has formed. Carefully remove the dish from the oven.
5. Enjoy!
   Dish yourself a hefty helping of this pasta and as always, enjoy!

The best part is that this can be one of those mid-week 30-minute meals that come together fast because the entire thing is just assembly and a quick broil for the crispy, cheesy topping. Unlike traditional casserole recipes, there’s no baking just a quick broil!

Is Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Healthy?

I’ll admit the cordon bleu pasta isn’t the lightest thing in my recipe list, but I try to make it with real ingredients, no fake or artificial “cream of soup” cans, and just fresh ingredients.

If you are looking for a lighter meal that involves chicken and cheese, my grain-free Chicken Cordon Bleu should satisfy that craving. 

Every now and then, I splurge when it comes to homemade meals and I swear this recipe is worth it.

What to Serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

This pasta is a hefty serving all by itself but I know some of you like to have at least one vegetable on the side- I hear you! I usually serve it with a green salad on the side but if you’re looking for a few great side dishes, you’ll love:

• Green Bean Fries
• Baked Parmesan Zucchini 
• Roasted Fall Vegetables

Whether you serve them with this pasta or not, try those Pan-Roasted Brussel Sprouts because they are BOMB! 

Zesty Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

Servings: 8

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 25 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

This Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta recipe is pure comfort food made with real ingredients and perfect for large crowds and picky eaters alike!

5 from 43 votes

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Watch how it’s made:

Ingredients

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 2 cups Alfredo sauce, homemade or prepared
• 1 ½ cups chicken breast, diced – about 8 ounces
• 8 ounces cooked ham steak, diced
• 6 strips bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled or, ¼ cup bacon crumbles
• 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
• ½ cup grated Monterrey Jack cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

• Position the oven rack in the middle. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish or cast-iron skillet with oil.
• In a large pot, bring water to boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Once cooked, remove from heat, drain water, and return pasta to the pot.
• To the pasta, add the Alfredo sauce, chicken, ham, crumbled bacon, and Creole seasoning, and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and heat ingredients through for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Transfer the hot pasta mixture to the greased baking dish and top with the cheeses.
• Broil on low for about 3 minutes, until the cheese has melted and a golden crust has formed. Carefully remove the dish from the oven and serve immediately.

Equipment

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Fun Pasta Spoon

Pasta Strainer

Pasta Bowls

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 374kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.004g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 917mg | Potassium: 313mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 342IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 1mg