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This easy Chicken Divan casserole is one of those comforting, dependable dinners that always feels like a win! With tender chicken, crisp-tender broccoli, and a creamy sauce all baked together under a golden topping, it’s a classic broccoli chicken divan recipe that still earns a spot on modern dinner tables.
If you’re craving an old-school casserole that’s simple to make and guaranteed to please, you’ll also love my Chicken and Dumpling Casserole and Hashbrown Casserole.
Why you’ll love this easy Chicken Divan casserole recipe!
Looking for a delicious chicken dish to make for dinner? Let me introduce you to a retro favorite: Chicken Divan!
The recipe is easy enough that you can make it for a weeknight meal, but impressive enough that you can also make it when you’re having company over for dinner. It’s simple to prepare and everyone will love it. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover chicken. Win!
A few highlights of this recipe:
- Comfort food classic: Creamy, cozy, and deeply satisfying.
- Family-friendly: Mild flavors that even picky eaters love.
- Easy to prep: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
- One-dish dinner: Protein, veggies, and sauce all in one pan.
- Great for leftovers: Tastes just as good the next day.
Don’t forget to pair it with Instant Pot Rice or egg noodles to soak up all the creamy sauce!
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Need
This classic casserole comes together with just a few ingredients!
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Broccoli – Fresh broccoli gives the best texture, but frozen (thawed and well-drained) can be used in a pinch.
- Cooked chicken breast – Rotisserie chicken is a great time saver, or use leftover Baked Chicken Breasts. You can also substitute with boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Condensed cream of broccoli soup – This is the backbone of the creamy sauce and keeps the recipe easy.
- Sour cream – Some recipes use mayo and I tested both options and my family agreed: they liked the tangy flavor that sour cream adds.
- Whole milk – For a rich, creamy sauce, stick with whole milk instead of lower fat varieties.
- Cheddar cheese – Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor.
- Breadcrumbs – Adds that irresistible crunchy finish. Some people love to add french fried onions instead of the breadcrumbs for additional flavor, so this is an option too.
Variations
- Healthier version: Swap mayo for Greek yogurt.
- Rice base: Serve over rice or stir cooked rice into the casserole.
- Different protein: Try leftover turkey for a great post-holiday dinner.
How to Make Chicken Divan
This cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole comes together with just a few steps. With prep time and cook time under 15 minutes, the entire meal is ready in under 30 minutes!
- Cook the broccoli: Drop the broccoli florets in a pot of salted boiling water for about 5 minutes, then drain well. Place the broccoli in an even layer in the prepared casserole dish.
- Add the chicken: Layer it over the broccoli.
- Add the sauce: Stir together the milk and soup in a bowl, then pour this over the chicken and broccoli. Top the soup with a layer of cheese.
- Finish: Melt the butter in a small saucepan set over medium-high heat. Add the breadcrumbs and toast for 3-4 minutes, then sprinkle them onto the casserole. Bake at 450ºF for 15 to 18 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy chicken casserole is hearty on its own, but a few simple sides round it out nicely.
- Steamed or buttered rice
- Egg noodles or pasta
- Simple green salad with vinaigrette
- Yeast dinner rolls or homemade garlic bread
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerator: Store leftover Chicken Divan in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze before baking for best results, up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm gently in the oven or microwave until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicken Divan was named after the restaurant where it was invested, the Divan Parisien Restaurant in the Chatham Hotel in New York City.
Sure! You can make Chicken Divan with cauliflower, peas, green beans, mushrooms—feel free to get creative! While broccoli is the traditional choice, you don’t have to stick with tradition here.
Yes, cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup are both common choices for Chicken Divan!
Rotisserie chicken is easiest, but any cooked chicken breast or thighs will work.
More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
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Need help with this recipe?
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Chicken Divan
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh broccoli cut into florets (can substitute frozen broccoli)
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast cubed (rotisserie chicken is a great time saver!)
- 1 10.75 oz can of condensed cream of broccoli soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup whole milk
- ½ cup cheddar cheese grated
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450F. Lightly grease a 13×9 inch baking dish and set aside.
- Blanch broccoli in boiling salted water until cooked, about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Place the cooked broccoli in an even layer in an oven-proof baking dish. Top with the cubed cooked chicken.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the milk and cream of broccoli soup and stir to combine.
- Pour soup mixture over the broccoli and chicken using a spatula to smooth. Top with grated cheese.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the breadcrumbs and toast for 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top of the baking dish.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned.
Notes
- Drain the broccoli well to avoid excess moisture. This keeps the sauce rich and creamy!
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving so the sauce has time to thicken up.
Can I use 2% milk?
Thanks
Can I use 2 % milk?
Thanks