Chicken Divan Recipe

Introduction

Chicken Divan is a comforting casserole featuring tender chicken, broccoli, and a creamy, cheesy sauce. This easy-to-make dish combines simple ingredients into a hearty meal perfect for family dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 16 ounces frozen broccoli florets, thawed
• 2 (10.5 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and set it aside.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cubes, season with salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Step 3: Thaw the frozen broccoli according to package instructions. Drain and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, cheddar cheese, milk, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Mix until smooth.
5. Step 5: Fold the cooked chicken and broccoli into the sauce mixture until well coated.
6. Step 6: Spread the chicken and broccoli mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
7. Step 7: In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with melted butter until combined. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the casserole.
8. Step 8: Bake for 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
9. Step 9: Let the dish stand for 5 minutes before serving to set and cool slightly.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.
• Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream to lighten the dish.
• Use homemade or seasoned breadcrumbs for added texture and taste.
• Try adding cooked rice or pasta for a heartier casserole.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through, or microwave individual portions until hot. Avoid reheating multiple times to maintain quality.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh broccoli instead of frozen?

Yes, fresh broccoli can be used. Steam or blanch it until just tender before adding to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.

Is it possible to make this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely. Prepare the casserole through assembling it in the baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.

Chicken Divan Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 76 reviews

Chicken Divan is a classic comforting casserole featuring tender chicken breast cubes and broccoli florets enveloped in a creamy, tangy sauce and topped with a crispy buttery breadcrumb crust. This baked dish combines savory flavors and textures, making an easy and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.

• Author: Isla
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Broccoli

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 16 ounces frozen broccoli florets, thawed

Sauce Mixture

• 2 (10.5 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Topping

• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly and set it aside for later use.
2. Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breast pieces and season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Prepare Broccoli: Thaw the frozen broccoli florets according to package instructions. Once thawed, drain excess water and pat dry with paper towels to ensure no moisture is left, which would affect the casserole’s texture.
4. Make the Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the two cans of cream of chicken soup, 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, ½ cup milk, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Mix until smooth and fully blended.
5. Combine Chicken and Broccoli with Sauce: Fold the cooked chicken and well-drained broccoli into the sauce mixture. Be sure to evenly coat all the pieces.
6. Assemble the Casserole: Spread the chicken and broccoli mixture evenly into the prepared greased baking dish, smoothing the surface for even baking.
7. Prepare Breadcrumb Topping: In a small bowl, mix together 1 cup plain breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated and crumbly.
8. Add the Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling around the edges.
9. Rest Before Serving: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving. This lets the casserole set and makes it easier to portion out.

Notes

• Ensure broccoli is well-drained and patted dry to avoid a watery casserole.
• You can substitute cream of chicken soup with homemade cream sauce for a fresher taste.
• To add a crunchy cheese topping, sprinkle extra cheddar cheese before adding the breadcrumbs.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 3-4 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
• For a lower fat version, use light sour cream and mayonnaise.

Keywords: Chicken Divan, casserole, baked chicken, broccoli casserole, creamy chicken, family dinner, comfort food