Chicken Divan is a deliciously creamy casserole made by mixing tender cooked chicken in a cheesy broccoli mixture and then baking it with a breadcrumb topping for a little crunch. It's a warm, cozy dish full of cheesy goodness your whole family will absolutely love and ask for again and again!
Did you know Chicken Divan originated in the Divan Parisien Restaurant at the Chatham Hotel in New York City in the early twentieth century? It's been an American family favorite since then, and for good reason. It's incredibly flavorful and a great way to sneak in some extra veggies. There are so many variations out there, but this creamy chicken casserole uses a mixture of common, everyday ingredients you can easily find at your local grocery store to help you get dinner on the table quickly.
Why You'll Love This Chicken Divan Recipe
- Cozy comfort food. Everything about this recipe is cozy and comforting, from the tender pieces of chicken to the creamy sauce and crunchy, buttery topping. It's such a warm and inviting dish!
- Simple to make. Although the original chicken divan recipe uses a Mornay sauce and a béchamel sauce, this one keeps things easy with a couple of store-bought items to speed up the process.
- Family friendly. This is one of those delicious recipes that the whole family will love and want to eat on repeat. It's especially great for those days when you need something everyone will eat without a fight!
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious Chicken Divan, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- butter -start by sautéing bite-sized pieces of chicken in melted butter. Feel free to use coconut oil or olive oil instead. You also need some melted butter to mix with the panko breadcrumbs for the topping.
- chicken breasts - cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes.
- salt and pepper
- onion powder - this gives the cheesy sauce a mild onion flavor that tastes wonderful with garlic and broccoli.
- garlic - finely chop fresh garlic for a savory note. Storebought minced garlic works, too.
- broccoli florets - use frozen broccoli to get dinner on the table quickly.
- cream of mushroom soup - use canned cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup for a thick, creamy sauce.
- mayonnaise - mayo or sour cream adds extra richness and a little tanginess that keeps this cheesy chicken dish from tasting too rich.
- cheddar cheese - shredded cheddar goes into the chicken filling and on top of the casserole dish, where it bakes into a crunchy, cheesy topping.
- panko breadcrumbs - these bread crumbs have a really crisp texture that contrasts the creamy chicken broccoli divan filling. We mix this with melted butter to hold the breadcrumbs together like a pie crust.
You will also need a large pot, 9x13-inch baking dish, aluminum foil, and a small mixing bowl.
How to Make the Best Chicken Divan
- Cook chicken. In a large pot or Dutch oven, add butter and melt over medium-high heat until it starts to bubble, about 1 minute. Add chicken and season with salt and pepper. Sauté until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
- Add broccoli. Add garlic and broccoli florets. Mix well and cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and drain excess liquid in the pot if necessary.
- Add remaining ingredients. Add cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, and onion powder. Stir well until evenly combined.
- Top with cheese. Transfer the chicken broccoli mixture into a 9x13-inch casserole pan and top with the remaining 1 ½ cups cheese.
- Bake. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a 375F preheated oven for 20 minutes until the cheese has melted.
- Add breadcrumbs. Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle over the cheese and place back into the oven and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes until the top is golden brown. Serve warm.
Recipe Variations
- Use Ritz crackers. Instead of breadcrumbs, crumble up salty Ritz crackers for a crunchy topping. It's easy and delicious.
- Add more veggies. This recipe can easily handle more vegetables. Try replacing some of the broccoli with cauliflower, add some frozen spinach or kale, add some cooked diced carrots or peas, or sauté some diced bell peppers. Make it your own!
- Make it from scratch. Instead of using canned, condensed soup, follow a homemade cream of chicken soup recipe.
- Add curry powder. Many chicken divan casserole recipes include a teaspoon or two of curry powder, which adds an extra layer of flavor and a pale yellow color. Feel free to add it if you'd like!
How to Serve
This Chicken Divan is delicious served on its own, or paired with some of my favorite sides including:
- The Best and Creamiest Mashed Potatoes
- Garlic Cheddar Biscuits
- Arugula Salad with Apple and Pecan
- Steamed Rice
- Cacio e Pepe
- Cornbread Muffins
For more recipe inspiration, see our 25 Side Dishes for Chicken.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use leftover rotisserie chicken. If you really want to make this easy chicken divan recipe quickly, use leftover cooked chicken. This is so nice on a really busy night!
- Use fresh broccoli. Chop fresh broccoli into small pieces and steam it for 4-5 minutes before adding to the chicken mixture.
- Take it easy on the salt. Since store-bought canned soups are really high in sodium, it's best to taste the dish before adding extra salt.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Store leftover chicken divan in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
How to Reheat
Microwave your leftovers for 2-3 minutes, or bake them in a 375F preheated oven with a fresh layer of breadcrumbs for 8-10 minutes until warm and crispy.
How to Freeze
Place chilled leftovers in a freezer-safe container and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
FAQ
Although there are different variations of the classic recipe out there, most chicken divan recipes are similar to a chicken broccoli casserole. They include juicy chicken cooked in a creamy sauce with broccoli and flavorful seasonings. They're topped with a crunchy breadcrumb topping that adds a satisfying texture and extra layer of flavor.
Absolutely! Broccoli is standard in this signature dish, but you can easily adjust the recipe to suit your preferences. Try adding frozen peas, cooked carrots, sauteed bell peppers, sauteed onions, frozen spinach, or diced cooked potatoes. You can even add cooked rice for a chicken divan rice casserole. Have fun with it!
It can be a little tricky adapting this classic chicken casserole, especially with the creamy cheese sauce. The best substitutions are to use either non-dairy canned soup mixes or make your own using a neutral non-dairy milk. Add some nutritional yeast flakes for a cheesy flavor. Saute the chicken in coconut oil or olive oil, and use dairy-free cheese for the filling and crust.
More Creamy Chicken Recipes
- 60 Best Chicken Recipes
- Chicken a la King
- White Chicken and Spinach Lasagna
- Creamy Pesto Chicken
- Chicken Marsala
- Creamy Tuscan Chicken
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