Classic Chicken Cordon Bleu inspired this delicious chicken pasta salad, complete with all the flavors of the original - it's a perfect summer side dish for any picnic, party, or BBQ!
Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken pasta salad
Prep Time 30 minutesminutes
Cook Time 30 minutesminutes
Total Time 1 hourhour
Servings 10
Calories 710kcal
Author Erica
Ingredients
2boneless skinless chicken breastscubed
½cupall purpose flour
½teaspoonpaprika
2eggs
¼cupmilk
2cupspanko bread crumbs
1poundcavatappi pastaor elbow macaroni or rotini
1cooked ham steakcubed
2cupsSwiss or Havarti cheesecubed
2cupsbroccoli florets
Parmesan Sauce
3tablespoonsunsalted butter
3tablespoonsall-purpose flour
2 ½cupsmilk
1chicken bouillon cube
Pinch sea salt
Black pepperto taste
2tablespoonsDijon mustard
1teaspoonWorcestershire sauce
½cupParmesan cheesefreshly grated
½cuplight mayonnaiseoptional
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; set aside.
Cube raw chicken breasts and place in a bowl; set aside.
Place flour & paprika, and bread crumbs in two separate bowls. In another bowl, whisk together eggs and milk.
Working in batches, roll cubed chicken in flour, then dredge in egg wash, then coat with bread crumbs and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake chicken for 15-20 minutes, or until thoroughly cooked and browned. Remove from oven and set aside.
While chicken is cooking, prep ham & cheese cubes, and broccoli. Place in a large bowl.
Boil pasta according to box directions. Drain, rinse, and place boiled pasta in the bowl with the other ingredients. Add chicken to bowl and toss everything.
Parmesan Sauce
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour, whisking continuously for 1-2 minutes until a roux is formed.
Slowly add the milk, whisking until incorporated. Stir in bouillon , salt, and pepper, and drop heat to medium-low and allow to simmer 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally but allowing it to thicken slightly.
Remove sauce from heat. Quickly add Dijon, Worcestershire, Parmesan, and mayonnaise (if desired), whisking briskly to melt cheese and combine ingredients.
Pour sauce over everything in the bowl, tossing to coat and combine.