Halal Chicken Cheese Bake (Printable)
Oven-baked halal chicken and turkey casserole with creamy sauce, Swiss and mozzarella cheese topping.
# What You'll Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 4 cups cooked halal chicken breast, diced (about 2 large breasts)
→ Deli Meat
02 - 7 oz halal turkey slices, chopped
→ Dairy
03 - 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
04 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - 2 cups whole milk
06 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
→ Pantry Staples
07 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
08 - 1 tsp garlic powder
09 - 1 tsp onion powder
10 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Topping
12 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
13 - 2 tbsp melted butter
14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tbsp butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to create a smooth roux.
03 - Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
04 - Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until fully incorporated.
05 - In a large mixing bowl, combine diced chicken, chopped turkey slices, and shredded Swiss cheese.
06 - Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken mixture. Fold gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
07 - Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly with a spatula.
08 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
09 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp melted butter. Mix until crumbs are evenly coated.
10 - Sprinkle buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the mozzarella layer.
11 - Bake for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
12 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
# Expert Hacks:
01 -
- Everything comes together in one dish with minimal prep work
- The creamy sauce gets better overnight, making it perfect for meal prep
02 -
- Let the sauce cool slightly before mixing with chicken or it can cook the meat too much
- The casserole needs to rest for 5 to 10 minutes out of the oven or it will be too runny to serve cleanly
03 -
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded for a smoother sauce
- Warm your milk slightly before adding it to prevent lumps from forming