Chicken Divan is the perfect dinner when you want something comforting and delicious. With creamy cheese sauce, tender chicken pieces, crisp broccoli florets, and panko topping, this creamy casserole has all the flavors and textures you're looking for!
Contents
🌟 Why this recipe works
Like most casserole recipes, they are easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time. Chicken Divan is no exception! It starts with searing butter-coated chicken pieces with onion and tender broccoli in a skillet before everything goes into an oven-safe dish.
This casserole really comes together when you mix in a creamy sauce of condensed soup, sour cream, spices, and cheese. All that's left is to top the casserole with a mixture of Panko bread crumbs and melted butter before baking it until it's golden brown and bubbling around the edges.
The result? A creamy, delicious dinner that's sure to please the whole family. The chicken is tender and flavorful, while the broccoli remains crisp in each bite. And when you combine that with the creamy sauce, it's like a party for your taste buds!
Chicken Divan is an easy weeknight meal that can be reheated the next day, making it a great way to use up leftover chicken or veggies. Plus, it only takes half an hour to bake, so you don't have to wait long for deliciousness!
More great chicken recipes to try:
🍽 Key Ingredients
This Chicken Divan recipe requires only a handful of ingredients, which you might already have on hand in your kitchen.
Butter - You'll need some butter to coat and brown the chicken and some for the breadcrumb topping.
Chicken breasts - Go for boneless and skinless chicken breasts for this dish.
Fresh broccoli - A few cups of washed and drained broccoli florets add color and texture.
Cream of chicken soup - A can of condensed cream of chicken soup is the base for the creamy sauce.
Cheese - Shredded cheddar cheese will make your casserole irresistibly cheesy.
Sour cream - This will add creaminess to the sauce.
Milk - This will thin out the sauce and make it more pourable.
Spices - Garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder add flavor to the sauce.
Panko breadcrumbs -These will help create a golden, crunchy topping for your casserole.
Fresh parsley - Garnish with some freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color.
Substitutions
Broccoli
The beauty of chicken casserole recipes is that you can add whatever veggies you have on hand - and with this chicken divan casserole, I have found that cauliflower florets work just as well as broccoli.
Cheese
Feel free to mix it up and use other types of cheese, like Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or parmesan cheese.
Chicken
Boneless chicken thighs are a good substitute for chicken breast in this chicken divan recipe, or you can use a rotisserie chicken or any leftover cooked chicken to save on prep time.
Panko
You can substitute the panko breadcrumbs for crushed Ritz crackers or even crushed cornflakes for a really crunchy topping.
🔪 How to make
Making this delicious chicken divan casserole is surprisingly easy and only requires a few simple steps. From searing the chicken to baking it until it's golden and bubbly, it only takes about 30 minutes to prepare this crowd-pleasing meal. Let's get cooking!
Preparations
- Cut the chicken into small pieces and season them with salt and pepper.
- Dice the onion.
- Wash and cut the broccoli florets from the broccoli head.
Cooking instructions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) and grease a baking dish or casserole dish.
Step 2
Set a skillet over medium heat with 2 tablespoons of butter and cook chicken and onions for 3 minutes, then add the broccoli and the olive oil.
Step 3
Sauté for 5 minutes until the chicken is completely cooked, then remove the skillet from the heat.
Step 4
Add the milk, condensed soup, sour cream, seasonings, and half the cheddar cheese.
Step 5
Stir the mixture until the cheese has melted and the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
Step 6
Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish, top with the remaining cheese, and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Step 7
Mix the melted butter and panko breadcrumbs together and sprinkle them over the top of the casserole. Bake again for 8 minutes until the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and bubbling.
Step 8
Allow the chicken divan casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
💭 Cooking tips
Use shredded rotisserie chicken
If you're short on time, use a store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of searing the chicken yourself.
Toast your breadcrumbs first
If you want to achieve a really crispy topping, sauté the breadcrumbs with the melted butter and olive oil for 1 to 2 minutes until slightly browned before sprinkling them on top of the casserole.
📖 Recipe Variations
Chicken divan is incredibly versatile, and there are lots of ways to customize it to your own tastes. Here are a few variations to try at home:
Spicy chicken divan recipe
If you like your food with a bit of kick, add 1 or 2 chopped chipotle chilies to the skillet when cooking the chicken, and add ½ teaspoon of chili powder to the rich and creamy sauce ingredients.
Curried chicken and broccoli casserole
This is a great way to add Indian flavor and spice to this classic dish. Just add 2 teaspoons of curry powder and ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg to the sauce ingredients.
Chicken divan with bacon
Bacon adds a nice smoky flavor and extra crunch. Add 3-4 slices of bacon, cut into pieces, to the skillet when cooking the chicken and onions.
For more chicken recipes check out my easy baked chicken legs recipe.
🥗 What to serve with
Chicken divan is traditionally served over rice or mashed potatoes, but if you want to try something different, we have some great options:
Bread
A crusty loaf of bread is the perfect vessel for soaking up that delicious cream sauce, and if you want to make some soft rolls at home, take a look at our Texas Roadhouse rolls or these light and fluffy buttermilk biscuits to pair with chicken divan.
Potatoes
Some classic potato sides are always a hit - try our twice-baked potatoes, roasted potatoes, or hasselback potatoes.
Salad
Lighten up the meal with a crisp and fresh salad. Caesar salads are always a hit with this dinner meal, or try our classic BLT wedge salad with a twist of ranch and chipotle dressing.
🙋 Frequently asked questions
Can I use frozen broccoli florets instead of fresh broccoli florets?
Yes, frozen broccoli can be used in place of fresh. Make sure you thaw it out and pat dry before adding to the skillet with the chicken and onions.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare this quick and easy casserole one day in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake. You may need to add a few minutes to the baking time since it will be cold when it goes in the oven.
Can I substitute something for the cream of chicken soup?
Yes, you can use cream of mushroom or cream of celery instead if desired. You can also make your own homemade version with butter, flour, milk, and chicken stock. You'll need about 2 cups of the mixture.
🧊 Storing and ♨️ reheating
Once cooled, this delicious chicken divan casserole can be stored and enjoyed another day.
Fridge - Store any leftover chicken divan in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezing - To freeze chicken divan, place the leftovers in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating - To reheat chicken divan, place it in an oven-safe dish and bake at 375F for 20 to 25 minutes. You can also heat individual servings in the microwave (covered).
👪 Serving size
This recipe for Chicken Divan serves 6-8 people. If you're looking to feed a larger crowd, the recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. Enjoy!
Whether you're in the mood for a comforting chicken casserole or just looking for an easy weeknight dinner, Chicken Divan is the perfect dish! With its creamy sauce and crunchy topping, it's sure to become a family favorite. So, what are you waiting for? Let's get cooking!
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Try one of my comfort dinner recipes for your next family meal! And if you have any questions, I'm here to help!
📋 Recipe
Chicken Divan
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 2 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (4 cups diced or 3 medium chicken breasts.)
- Salt/Pepper to taste
- 1 Yellow onion - diced
- 4 cups Broccoli florets, about ½ lb. fresh
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 10.5 ounces Cream of chicken soup
- ⅔ cup Sour Cream
- ½ cup Milk
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Mustard powder
- 2½ cups Cheddar cheese - shredded
- Fresh parsley chopped for garnish
topping
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons Melted butter
Instructions
Preparations
- Cut the chicken into small pieces and season them with salt and pepper.
- Dice the onion.
- Wash and cut the broccoli florets from the broccoli head.
Cooking instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) and grease a baking dish or casserole dish.
- Set a skillet over medium heat with 2 tablespoons of butter and cook chicken and onions for 3 minutes, then add the broccoli and the olive oil.
- Sauté for 5 minutes until the chicken is completely cooked, then remove the skillet from the heat.
- Add the milk, condensed soup, sour cream, seasonings, and half the cheddar cheese.
- Stir the mixture until the cheese has melted and the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish, top with the remaining cheese, and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Mix the melted butter and panko breadcrumbs together and sprinkle them over the top of the casserole. Bake again for 8 minutes until the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and bubbling.
- Allow the chicken divan casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
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