Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
  • 8 oz deli ham, diced
  • 2 cups Swiss cheese or Gruyère, shredded
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk, warmed
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 pinch nutmeg
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp dried parsley

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the cubed chicken just until golden on the outside (it does not need to be cooked through). Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour for 1-2 minutes until it smells nutty. Slowly pour in warmed milk, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens. Stir in garlic powder, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
  3. Stir the browned chicken, diced ham, and half of the Swiss cheese into the sauce until fully incorporated. Pour the mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish and smooth the top. Sprinkle the remaining Swiss cheese evenly across the surface.
  4. In a small bowl, combine Panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, Parmesan, and parsley. Scatter the topping over the cheese.
  5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until the edges are bubbling and the top is mahogany-colored.