Our Chicken and Swiss Cheese Casserole is a savory combination of tender chicken breast and melty Swiss cheese topped with crunchy sliced almonds. This chicken Swiss cheese favorite is perfect for busy nights, and pairs well with something fresh like our Kale and White Bean Salad or Strawberry Poppyseed Salad.
Why You'll Love This Chicken with Swiss Cheese Casserole Recipe
This Chicken Swiss cheese casserole comes together easily with everyday ingredients while still being creamy, cheesy, and full of hearty flavor. It's a dependable dinner that works just as well for busy weeknights as well for feeding a hungry crowd.
- Great for Leftovers: This casserole reheats well, making it perfect for next-day lunches or quick dinners.
- Family-Friendly: The mild, cheesy flavors are a hit with both kids and adults.
- Easy to Customize: You can add veggies, swap cheeses, or change up the seasoning to fit what you have on hand.
Ingredients Overview
This recipe brings together tender pre-cooked chicken, a rich and creamy base of cream cheese, eggs, and heavy cream, sautéed onion, Swiss cheese, broccoli, and savory seasonings like garlic powder, salt, pepper, and dried herbs. It is finished with sliced almonds for a crunchy topping.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Pro Tip
A rotisserie chicken is a perfect option for the pre-cooked chicken in this chicken and Swiss cheese casserole
How To Make Chicken and Swiss Cheese Casserole
This chicken & Swiss cheese casserole comes together quickly by combining a creamy, savory filling with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a crunchy topping, then baking everything until set and golden.
Using a rotisserie chicken can save a lot of time, and the visual step-by-step tutorial will walk you through each part of the process.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350℉. Prepare a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a saucepan or small skillet over medium high heat, saute the onions in oil until softened, about 5 minutes.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the cream cheese, eggs, heavy cream, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until the eggs and cream cheese are well blended.
Step 3: Stir in the cubed or shredded cooked chicken, half of Swiss cheese, and the thawed frozen broccoli.
Fresh Broccoli Tips
- Cut into small florets and lightly steam.
- Pat dry to avoid a watery casserole.
- Bake a few minutes longer if needed for tenderness.
Step 4: Mix the ingredients until all the chicken is coated and everything mixed well.
Step 5: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top the casserole with the remaining cheese and the sliced almonds.
Step 6: Bake for 30 - 35 minutes or until the eggs are completely set in the middle. Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Chicken Swiss Cheese Casserole Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs beautifully with something fresh like our Apple Celery Salad to balance the rich, creamy flavors with a bright, lightly crisp contrast. For a cozy and satisfying side, our sheet pan Roasted Rosemary Potatoes round out this family friendly meal.
Substitutions and Variations
Some useful tips and substitutions when making this recipe:
- Chicken: Swap chicken for cooked shredded turkey, leftover roasted chicken, or cooked sausage for a different flavor profile.
- Cheese: Use cheddar, Gruyère, or mozzarella instead of Swiss cheese for a milder or sharper taste.
- Cream base: Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter option, and use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese for tanginess.
- Vegetables: Substitute broccoli with cauliflower, green beans, or spinach depending on preference or seasonal availability.
- Seasonings: Add smoked paprika, onion powder, or fresh herbs like thyme or parsley to change the flavor profile.
- Crisp Bacon: Bump the flavor up with the addition of a few pieces of crumbled bacon. Use our air fryer bacon method for just a few strips, or our oven baked sheet pan bacon to prep a full pound and store in the freezer for quick additions to your meals.
Tips for Success
Helpful tips to help you when making this recipe:
- Pasta: Mix in some pre-cooked pasta like bowties (farfalle), or rotini if you need to stretch this meal even further for those super hearty appetites.
- Use fully cooked chicken: Rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken saves time and ensures the filling is flavorful without overcooking.
- Drain vegetables well: If using frozen broccoli, thaw and pat dry to avoid a watery casserole.
- Room temperature dairy: Let cream cheese and eggs sit at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother texture.
- Season in layers: Taste and season the chicken, vegetables, and cream mixture individually to build depth of flavor.
- Top with nuts last: Add sliced almonds just before baking or partway through to keep them crunchy and golden.
Storage Options
Here is how I store leftovers when making this recipe:
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thawing: If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best texture.
- Reheat: Warm individual servings in the microwave or reheat the entire casserole in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
Related Recipes
- Cracker Barrel style Broccoli Cheddar Chicken
- White Seafood Lasagna
- Cheesy Broccoli and Chicken Casserole
- Baked Eggplant Parmesan Stacks
- Baked Alfredo Spaghetti
Frequently Asked Questions
You can assemble it up to 24 hours before baking and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook.
Yes, fresh broccoli works beautifully. Cut it into small florets and lightly steam or blanch for 2-3 minutes to soften slightly before adding to the casserole. This ensures it cooks evenly without becoming crunchy, while keeping the casserole creamy and preventing excess moisture.
Slightly. Because fresh broccoli is firmer than thawed frozen broccoli, you may need to bake the casserole an extra 3 - 5 minutes until the broccoli is tender and the filling is set.
Pat the florets dry after steaming or blanching, and avoid adding extra liquid to the cream mixture. This keeps the casserole creamy without being soggy.
Family Casserole Recipes
Get The Recipe!
Chicken and Swiss Cheese Casserole
Equipment
- Ceramic 9x13 Casserole Dish
Ingredients
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounce cream cheese room temperature
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 5 cups cooked chicken breast boneless, skinless - cubed or shredded, rotisserie chicken is perfect
- 2 cups Swiss cheese shredded, divided
- 12 ounces broccoli frozen, thawed, or fresh
- ¼ cup sliced almonds optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Prepare a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a saucepan or small skillet over medium high heat, saute the onions in oil until softened, about 5 minutes.1 small onion, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the cream cheese, eggs, heavy cream, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until the eggs and cream cheese are well blended.8 ounce cream cheese, 4 large eggs, 1 cup heavy cream, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt , ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Stir in the cubed or shredded cooked chicken, half of Swiss cheese, and the broccoli.5 cups cooked chicken breast, 2 cups Swiss cheese, 12 ounces broccoli
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top the casserole with the remaining cheese and the sliced almonds.¼ cup sliced almonds
- Bake for 30 - 35 minutes or until the eggs are completely set in the middle. Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Pasta: Mix in some pre-cooked pasta like bowties (farfalle), or rotini if you need to stretch this meal even further for those super hearty appetites.
- Fresh broccoli tips: Lightly steam small broccoli florets, pat them dry to prevent a watery casserole, and bake a few extra minutes if needed for tenderness.
- Use fully cooked chicken: Rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken saves time and ensures the filling is flavorful without overcooking.
- Drain vegetables well: If using frozen broccoli, thaw and pat dry to avoid a watery casserole.
- Room temperature dairy: Let cream cheese and eggs sit at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother texture.
- Season in layers: Taste and season the chicken, vegetables, and cream mixture individually to build depth of flavor.
- Top with nuts last: Add sliced almonds just before baking or partway through to keep them crunchy and golden.
Kelly Bloom says
Delicious, I'm making this again!