by Holly
Chicken Divan is one of our favorite go-to dinner options, and it couldn’t be more delicious. In this easy divan 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!
Easy Chicken Divan
Chicken Broccoli Divan is a quick and easy casserole, making it the perfect dinner option for busy weeknights. If you use leftover baked chicken breasts 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?
SAUCE: 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.
BROCCOLI: I always steam fresh broccoli for Chicken Divan but you can also add in cauliflower or asparagus (and we sometimes make it with a pinch of curry powder too)!
CHICKEN: 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.
TOPPING: 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.
- Steaming your broccoli for a few minutes to get it slightly tender-crisp (it as it’ll cook more in the oven). Drain it very well (to keep your sauce from getting watery)
- Combine the divan sauce ingredients.
- Add chicken and broccoli to a dish, top with the cheesy sauce and buttery breadcrumbs
Bake about 20 minutes or until browned and 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.
More Chicken Casserole Recipes
- Homemade Chicken Spaghetti – Reader favorite recipes!
- Chicken Parmesan Casserole – Delicious twist on a classic.
- Cheesy Chicken Casserole – Creamy, cheesy and delicious.
- Salsa Chicken Casserole – Quick and flavorful
- 4 Ingredient Chicken Rice Casserole – Vintage recipe, no need to precook the rice!
Broccoli Chicken Divan
Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Course Casserole, Main Course
Cuisine AmericanIngredients
- 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
Topping
- 3 tablespoons Panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Place broccoli in a large pot boiling water and cook 2-3 minutes or just until tender crisp. Drain well.
- In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup cheddar cheese, milk, condensed soup, sour cream and seasonings.
- Stir in broccoli and chicken and spread into a 3qt casserole dish (or a 9x13 pan). Top with remaining cheese.
- In a small bowl, mix the butter and bread crumbs. Sprinkle the topping over the chicken mixture.
- Bake 18-20 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are lightly browned and the mixture is bubbly and hot.
- Serve over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes, as desired.
Nutrition Information
Repin this Creamy Casserole
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I don’t usually leave comments on recipes but this one I feel the need to. I was thinking about what I had on hand to make a meal out of. My husband usually hates chicken but I was ground beefed out. I cooked the chicken breasts up in the instant pot, popped a bag of steam broccoli florets in the microwave and got started on this. My husband wasn’t pleased when he saw I was making chicken and rice lol. We sat down to dinner and not only did our 4 year old practically lick his bowl clean but my chicken hating husband got seconds. He said he actually liked it and it had great flavor. I’ll definitely keep this recipe in our rotation! Thank you.
Yay! So happy to hear that Nikki. Glad this was such a hit with your family :)
I double down on the chicken flavors. Instead of rice or mashed potatoes, I serve mine over chicken flavored stuffing (premix or homemade is fine).
Hi Holly, I came across your recipe through an ad, and decided to try this recipe. I knew my family would love this so I doubled the recipe so we could have leftovers. I’ve made it multiple times within the past year and we never get tired of it. It’s absolutely delicious and so easy to put together. I served it with ribbon noodles. :)
Thank you so much for sharing Emma! It makes my day to hear that you loved the recipe so much!
I just made this dish….and added cubed ham steak….simply awesome….would not change a thing to it….except making it in a 5 quart casserole dish….and make more…..so I could have some leftovers…..
Ham steak would be awesome in this, thanks for the idea!! So glad you enjoyed it.
Simple and delicious! I made this using leftover rotisserie chicken, and frozen, defrosted broccoli. It was a snap on a night when I had little time to prep a meal, and pleasing to the whole family. We did not have it with rice or noodles, and it fed two hungry men and myself. I would double this recipe (or add pasta or rice) to serve more people. Thanks, Holly!
So happy everyone loved it Pamela! That’s awesome.
Made this tonight it is definitely a repeat. The family loved it. So easy! This and a salad, there you have a super easy supper
Great idea Michelle! We love how easy it can be to make a delicious supper everyone loves!
I searched Chicken Divan and this was the first recipe. Am making it tonight! Will let you know how it turns out. I know it’s going to be delicious!
Enjoy!
Made it! LOVED it! I plated it on top of white rice and sprinkled some Old Bay on top (b/c I’m a Maryland gal)! DEEEELISH! This is definitely going in my recipe box under weeknight faves. Thanks Holly!
So glad you loved it Ms. Rae!
Hello – another MD girl here – I am making this for a friend today and will definitely add some Old Bay!
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)!