There’s something magical about a skillet meal that brings everyone to the table—especially when it’s this creamy, comforting Chicken Ham Cabbage Skillet. As a mom who’s constantly juggling dinner prep with after-school chaos, I can tell you this dish is a lifesaver. It’s got that cozy, stick-to-your-ribs quality perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, but simple enough for any busy weeknight. The way the tender cabbage soaks up the creamy sauce? Absolute perfection. After years of testing skillet dinners, this one earned permanent rotation in my kitchen because it’s the kind of meal that makes my kids actually ask for seconds!
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Ham Cabbage Skillet
This skillet dish checks all the boxes for a perfect weeknight meal – here’s why it’s become my family’s favorite:
- Creamy dreamy texture: That luscious sauce made with blended cottage cheese and sour cream coats every bite beautifully
- One-pan wonder: From sautéing to serving, everything happens in a single skillet (hello, easy cleanup!)
- Budget-friendly ingredients: Cabbage stretches the meal beautifully, and you can use leftover ham
- Kid-approved magic: The mild flavors and creamy sauce make even veggie-skeptics gobble up their cabbage
- Ready in 35 minutes: Faster than takeout but tastes like you spent hours cooking
Trust me, this dish will make you look forward to leftover ham days!
Chicken Ham Cabbage Skillet Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this cozy skillet dish – I’ve listed exact amounts because trust me, these proportions create the perfect balance of flavors:
- 1 lb cooked chicken ham (deli sliced or leftover), chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 large head green cabbage, chopped into 1-inch squares (about 6 cups)
- 1 medium onion, chopped (yellow or white works best)
- 1 tbsp butter or olive oil (I prefer butter for richer flavor)
- 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese, blended until completely smooth
- ½ cup full-fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp garlic powder (not garlic salt!)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (the secret flavor booster)
- 1 cup shredded Swiss or white cheddar cheese, divided (save half for topping)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Don’t stress if you’re missing something – here’s how to adapt:
- For the ham: Turkey ham works great too, or use leftover holiday ham. Fresh ham needs longer cooking.
- Dairy swaps: Plain Greek yogurt can replace sour cream. Lactose-free versions work perfectly.
- Cheese options: Sharp cheddar gives more bite, while mozzarella makes it extra melty.
- Low-sodium tip: Reduce ham amount and use low-sodium cheese if watching salt intake.
- Extra creamy: Add ¼ cup cream cheese to the sauce blend for ultra-rich texture.
The beauty of this recipe? It’s flexible enough to work with what you’ve got!
How to Make Chicken Ham Cabbage Skillet
Alright, let’s get cooking! Grab your favorite 12-inch skillet (this recipe needs the space) and follow these simple steps for the creamiest, most comforting dish:
- Prep your ingredients: Chop the ham into bite-sized pieces, cut cabbage into 1-inch squares, and dice the onion. Having everything ready makes the cooking process smoother.
- Sauté the onions: Heat 1 tbsp butter or oil in your skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until they turn translucent and fragrant – that’s when you know they’re perfectly softened.
- Cook the cabbage: Add chopped cabbage to the skillet. Stir occasionally for 8-10 minutes until it’s tender but still has a slight crunch. You’ll see it reduce in volume by about half.
- Add the ham: Toss in your chopped chicken ham and stir everything together. Let it heat through for about 2 minutes – just until the ham warms up and releases its savory aroma.
- Make the sauce: While the veggies cook, blend cottage cheese until completely smooth (no lumps!). Mix it with sour cream, garlic powder, and mustard in a bowl until creamy. If you enjoy recipes featuring cottage cheese in creative ways, check out this Fajita Chicken Cottage Cheese Bake.
- Combine & melt: Pour your creamy sauce over the skillet mixture and stir gently to coat everything evenly. Sprinkle with half your shredded cheese, cover, and let it melt for 2 minutes off heat.
- Final touch: Top with remaining cheese, then cover again for 1 minute until beautifully melted. Serve immediately while it’s gloriously creamy!
Pro Tips for the Best Results
After making this dozens of times, here are my can’t-skip secrets:
- Blend that cottage cheese until silky smooth – any lumps will stand out in the final dish
- Pre-chop everything before heating the skillet for stress-free cooking
- Resist overcooking cabbage – it should be tender but still have some texture (mushy cabbage = sad skillet)
- Let cheese melt fully before serving – that 1-minute wait makes all the difference
- Medium heat is key – too hot and your onions will burn before the cabbage cooks
Creamy 35-Minute Chicken Ham Cabbage Skillet You’ll Crave
A creamy and comforting skillet dish featuring chicken ham and cabbage, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any family meal.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 lb Cooked Chicken Ham (deli sliced or leftover), chopped
- 1 large head Green Cabbage, chopped into 1-inch squares
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp Butter or Olive Oil
- 1 cup Cottage Cheese (Full fat, blended smooth)
- ½ cup Sour Cream or plain Greek Yogurt
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 cup Shredded Swiss or White Cheddar Cheese (divided)
Instructions
- Chop the chicken ham, cabbage, and onion.
- Heat butter or olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion and sauté until softened.
- Add cabbage and cook until tender.
- Stir in chicken ham and heat through.
- In a bowl, mix cottage cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, and mustard until smooth.
- Pour the creamy sauce over the skillet mixture and stir to combine.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on top and let melt.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Use leftover ham for a quicker prep.
- Blend cottage cheese for a smoother sauce.
- Adjust cheese type to your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Ham Cabbage Skillet
This cozy skillet dish practically begs for the perfect side – here’s how I love to serve it up for my family:
- Crusty bread lovers: A warm baguette or Irish soda bread is perfect for sopping up every bit of that creamy sauce
- Mashed potato fans: Spoon this over buttery mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food combo
- Light meal option: Pair with a simple green salad dressed with tangy vinaigrette to balance the richness
The recipe makes 4 generous portions – perfect for our family of four with no leftovers! For bigger appetites or potlucks, I’ll double it in my largest skillet. Kids usually eat about ¾ of an adult portion in my house (but they always come back for more of this one).
Storing and Reheating Your Chicken Ham Cabbage Skillet
This dish keeps beautifully for leftovers – if you’re lucky enough to have any! Here’s how we handle storage in my kitchen:
- Fridge storage: Pack cooled leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 days. The flavors actually improve overnight!
- Freezer option: Freeze portions for 1 month (without sour cream topping for best texture). Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating magic: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low with a splash of water or milk to bring back that creamy consistency. Stir often!
Pro tip: I sometimes make extra just to have ready-to-go lunches – it reheats like a dream!
Chicken Ham Cabbage Skillet Nutritional Info
Now, I’m no nutritionist, but here’s the breakdown per serving based on how I make this recipe (remember, these are estimates – your exact amounts might vary slightly depending on ingredients):
- Calories: About 350 per hearty serving
- Protein: A solid 25g – great for keeping you full
- Carbohydrates: 20g total (with 5g fiber from all that good cabbage)
- Fat: 18g (8g saturated – blame the delicious cheese!)
- Sodium: Around 800mg (mostly from the ham – see my low-salt tips if you’re watching this)
Honestly? I don’t count numbers when we eat this – I just know it’s packed with protein and veggies, and that’s good enough for this busy mom. The cottage cheese gives an extra protein boost that keeps my kids satisfied until breakfast!
FAQs About Chicken Ham Cabbage Skillet
I get asked about this recipe all the time – here are the most common questions that pop up from readers trying it for the first time:
Can I use fresh ham instead of cooked chicken ham?
Absolutely! Just chop it small and cook it fully before adding the cabbage – about 5-7 minutes should do it. I actually prefer the texture of fresh ham when I’ve got the time, but deli slices are my go-to for busy nights.
How can I make this lower in sodium?
Easy fixes: use half the ham amount (it’ll still be flavorful!), choose low-sodium cheese, and skip adding any extra salt. The Dijon mustard and garlic powder give plenty of flavor without the salt. My sister makes it this way for her heart-healthy diet and loves it.
Is this skillet dish freezer-friendly?
Yes – but with one tweak! Freeze it without the sour cream topping (add that fresh when reheating). The texture stays perfect this way. I always stash a single portion in my freezer for those “I can’t even” nights – just thaw overnight and reheat with a splash of milk.
Can I make this vegetarian?
You bet! Swap the ham for sautéed mushrooms or white beans. The creamy sauce carries the dish beautifully. My vegetarian neighbor adds smoked paprika to mimic that hammy flavor – genius!
Why blend the cottage cheese?
Oh honey, this is non-negotiable! Unblended cottage cheese leaves weird little lumps that my kids pick out. Blending makes it silky smooth – you won’t even know it’s cottage cheese! A quick pulse in the blender or food processor does the trick.
Final Thoughts
There you have it – my family’s favorite cozy skillet meal that never fails to satisfy! I’d love to hear how your version turns out. Did your kids gobble it up like mine do? Tag me @FrostyRecipes so I can see your creamy creations. Happy skillet cooking, friends – may your cabbage always be tender and your cheese perfectly melted!
