Chicken Divan
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Chicken Divan is one of our favorite go-to dinner options, and it seriously couldn’t be more delicious.
In this easy recipe, Chicken and Broccoli are mixed with a rich and creamy sauce then baked until all warm and bubbly.
This recipe is a classic with one of my favorite flavor combos… chicken, broccoli and cheddar cheese. It is definitely no surprise that this Chicken Divan recipe has been enjoyed by so many families for decades!
How to Make Chicken Divan
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Chicken Broccoli Divan is a quick and easy casserole, making it the perfect dinner option for busy weeknights. If you use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken, you can have it on the table in under 30 minutes. Served alongside a fresh fresh green salad and some bread with Homemade Garlic Butter, this is one meal your family will request over and over.
What is Chicken Divan?
Chicken Divan gets its signature rich and creamy flavor from a mixture of cheddar cheese, milk, condensed mushroom soup, and sour cream. If you don’t have cream of mushroom soup handy, cream of chicken, cheddar or broccoli also taste amazing in this recipe! Some recipes do make Chicken Divan with mayo, however I prefer to use sour cream.
I always use fresh broccoli in my Chicken Divan but you can also add in cauliflower or asparagus (and we sometimes make it with a pinch of curry powder too)!
The chicken is cooked before it goes into the recipe so if you have leftover chicken (or turkey) it’s perfect in this recipe. If not I usually make and shred poached chicken because it’s SO easy.
The butter and breadcrumb topping on this Chicken Divan casserole really gives it the perfect finishing touch. Just bake until the topping is golden and everything else is hot and bubbly!
How To Make Chicken and Broccoli Divan
I always make Chicken Divan with fresh broccoli, it has the best flavor and doesn’t end up watery or mushy as frozen broccoli sometimes does.
Start by steaming your broccoli for a few minutes to get it slightly tender-crisp. You don’t want to overcook it as it’ll cook more in the oven. Drain it very well (to keep your sauce from getting watery)
Next, combine all of your ingredients for this easy sauce. Add your chicken and broccoli into a dish, top with the cheesy sauce. Finally, sprinkle your buttery breadcrumb mixture (my favorite part) over the chicken and broccoli mixture and bake it for about 20 minutes or until bubbly! Easy peasy.
I usually enjoy Chicken Divan with rice (or Garlic Butter Rice), but it also tastes amazing served over noodles or even some creamy mashed potatoes!
If you don’t eat the whole casserole (which we usually do around here, it’s SO good), it reheats perfectly. Simply place the Chicken Divan in the microwave, or reheat it in the oven or on the stovetop. Before reheating, I usually add a splash of milk to keep it nice and creamy.
This classic, creamy dish has been loved for decades for both its ease of preparation and rich flavor.
- 1 1/2 lbs fresh broccoli cut into bite sized pieces
- 3 cups cooked chicken cubed
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 10.5 oz can condensed Cream of Mushroom or chicken soup
- 1/2 teaspoon each garlic powder onion powder, dry mustard and pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 3 tablespoons Panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
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Place broccoli in a large pot boiling water and cook 2-3 minutes or just until tender crisp. Drain well.
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In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup cheddar cheese, milk, condensed soup, sour cream and seasonings.
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Stir in broccoli and chicken and spread into a 3qt casserole dish (or a 9x13 pan). Top with remaining cheese.
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In a small bowl, mix the butter and bread crumbs. Sprinkle the topping over the chicken mixture.
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Bake 18-20 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are lightly browned and the mixture is bubbly and hot.
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Serve over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes, as desired.
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
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Holly
Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
Has anyone made this just by putting it all in the pan at once instead of cooking the broccoli and poaching the chicken first? I make chicken and rice and I just put the rice in the 9×13 with water, cream of chicken, seasonings and raw chicken thighs. I cook in oven at 375, covered for 45 minutes, oven off for 15 minutes then sprinkle cheese on top and broil. So I’m wondering if the broccoli will do ok if I just throw it all in a pan and cook like I do when I fix chicken and rice? Thanks for your help!
I haven’t tried it but it sounds similar to my chicken and rice casserole! Let us know how it goes if you try it.
This came up as an ad and I usually just delete them, but I was fascinated by this and took the time to look at the recipe. Ended up printing it out and making it for supper. Thanks for the ad by the way. It worked!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe Tammy!!
I just found this cooking site and am pleasantly surprised! I am an old time self professed chef in the kitchen with a picky husband. I only met my hubby 20 years ago when he was dating much younger women and I felt I needed a competitive edge to “hook” him. I have been running low in creative cooking but you revitalized it for me with wonderful, simple meals. We lived out in the Everglades for 9 years (his idea) where if you want bread, you make it. There’s always a bag of rice and a 25lb bag of flour around. I even cultivate a now 15 yr old sour dough yeast. What I am getting at is your site rejuvenates my meals to not so bother-some! All in all, my hubby wants sparks in the kitchen and you were able to light my fire! Thank you!
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Aww,thank you so much Carol! So happy to have you join me and I sure wish I could share in your sourdough, it’s my favorite!! Happy cooking! ❤️
This looks sooooo good ! I can’t wait to try it .
It is SO good Miss Tanya! Try it :)
Made this again last night. Absolutely delicious! Don’t change a thing! I didn’t have breadcrumbs this time so I used crushed butter crackers – amazing! Will double the recipe for leftovers next time.
Crackers make a great topping for this, so glad you enjoyed it!
This looks awesome! Perfect for weeknight meals – and I’m sure the leftovers will make great next-day lunches!
What a colorful and hearty meal! I love one-dish meals like this. So great for weeknight dinners!
Quick and easy! Enjoy, Kate!
Simply delicious!! I made this tonight and the whole family loved it!!
So glad you enjoyed it Jeannie!
Can this be made dairy free if so what can i substitute for the dairy in this dish or how can i make this recipe without the dairy
Have a great day
Thank you
Deborah
I’ve only made the recipe as written Deborah
A cup of helmans mayonnaise or what ever brand you perfer is a good substitute for dairy !
I talked to myself “I have to do this” from my first sight They are my favourite ingredients.
However, I would like to eat them with pasta. It must be super delicious!!!
:) Enjoy Natalie!
Give me all the broccoli and cheese!
LOL definitely one of my favorite combos (especially the cheese part)!