Chicken Divan Recipe (2024)

This chicken divan recipe is a timeless classic, featuring a hearty layer of broccoli and chicken smothered in a rich and creamy sauce. With its creamy sauce and warm, bubbly finish, it’s a go-to dinner option that’s as satisfying as it is tasty.

This chicken broccoli divan is a weeknight winner! It’s a simple yet flavorful casserole that’s ready in 40 minutes. With its creamy texture, cheesy topping, and the perfect balance of chicken and broccoli, it’s a dish your family will ask for again and again.

If you’re a fan of chicken divan, you might also enjoy my hearty chicken rotini casserole, flavorful chicken enchiladas, or comforting chicken and rice casserole. They’re all delicious and easy to make!

This vintage recipe card comes from my grandma’s collection. It’s in her handwriting and I treasure it. Apparently, she wrote it down from TV in 2005.

Why I Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: This Chicken Divan recipe is a snap to prepare. With pre-cooked chicken and frozen broccoli, you can have it in the oven in no time.
• Classic Flavors: The combination of chicken, broccoli, and creamy mushroom soup is a time-tested trio that never disappoints.
• Flavor-Packed: The addition of curry and lemon juice gives this dish a zesty kick that’s bursting with flavor.

Key Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts: The star of our chicken divan casserole, these will be cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces for a hearty and satisfying bite. You can also use leftover rotisserie chicken.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated, this will add a sharp and salty flavor to the casserole, enhancing the overall dish.
• Broccoli Florets: These will add a nice crunch and a vibrant green color to the casserole, not to mention a deliciously fresh flavor.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: This will be used as a base for our casserole, giving it a creamy and savory depth of flavor.
• Sour Cream: This will add a tangy creaminess to the casserole, balancing out the richness of the other ingredients.
• Mayonnaise: This will add a creamy and slightly tangy flavor to the casserole/
• Lemon Juice: A touch of this will brighten up the flavors of the casserole, cutting through the richness of the other ingredients.
• Ground Curry: This will add a hint of warmth and spice to the casserole, giving it an interesting twist.
• Cheddar Cheese: Grated and sprinkled on top, this will melt in the oven and give the casserole a deliciously cheesy crust.
• Paprika: This will add a smoky flavor to the casserole, enhancing the overall dish.
• Butter: This will be used to sauté the chicken and vegetables, giving them a beautiful golden color and a rich, buttery flavor.

Equipment

• Casserole Dish – You’ll need a 9×13 inch casserole dish to layer your ingredients and bake your chicken divan casserole in the oven.
• Large Bowl – A large bowl is necessary to combine your cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, curry, and cheddar cheese into a creamy sauce.

How to Make Chicken Divan

Preparation

Before you begin, preheat your oven to 350˚F. Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish and set it aside. Cook your chicken and cut it into bite-sized pieces.

Step 1 – Layer the Broccoli and Chicken

Start by adding a layer of steamed broccoli to the bottom of your greased casserole dish. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese over the broccoli. Next, add a layer of your cooked chicken pieces. Sprinkle another 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese over the chicken.

Step 2 – Prepare the Sauce

In a separate bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, curry powder, and cheddar cheese. This will form a rich, creamy sauce that will cover your broccoli and chicken layers.

Step 3 – Add the Sauce and Cheese

Pour your prepared sauce over the broccoli and chicken in the casserole dish, making sure it’s evenly distributed. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese over the top, then add a dash of paprika and dot the surface with butter.

Step 4 – Bake the Casserole

Place your casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake it uncovered for 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s hot, and bubbly, and the cheese on top has melted and turned a golden brown.

Step 5 – Serve the Chicken Divan

Once your chicken divan casserole is baked to perfection, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve it hot over steamed rice or baked potatoes for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Expert Tip

For a deliciously crunchy topping on your chicken divan, sprinkle a generous amount of parmesan cheese before baking. The cheese will melt and form a golden crust, adding a wonderful contrast to the creamy chicken and broccoli underneath.

Recipe Variations

• Different Soup: You can use cream of broccoli or cream of chicken soup instead of cream of mushroom for a different flavor. It’ll still taste delicious but with a tasty variation.
• Spices: Consider adding some onion powder and garlic powder over the chicken and broccoli before adding the soup and sour cream mixture.
• Topping: Top your chicken divan casserole with a mixture of grated cheddar cheese and bread crumbs or crushed Ritz crackers before baking. This gives a deliciously crunchy topping to contrast with the creamy filling.

What to Serve With

• For a classic comfort food combination, serve this creamy chicken divan casserole over a bed of fluffy, steamed white rice. The mild flavor of the rice perfectly complements the rich, creamy sauce and tender chicken.
• If you’re a fan of potatoes, try serving this dish over a large baked potato. The hearty potato pairs well with the creamy chicken and broccoli, making for a satisfying meal.
• For a unique twist, serve this chicken divan over buttermilk biscuits. The flaky, buttery biscuits soak up the creamy sauce, adding an extra layer of flavor and texture to the dish.

Recipe FAQs

Storing and Reheating

• Fridge: After enjoying your chicken divan casserole, store the leftovers in an airtightly sealed container. They will keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze: If you want to freeze this delicious casserole, I recommend doing it before baking it for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply thaw it in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
• Reheat: If you have refrigerated your chicken broccoli casserole, simply let it come to room temperature before reheating. Preheat your oven to 350°F, cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out, and bake for about 20 minutes or until heated through.

Serving Size

• What to Expect: This chicken divan casserole recipe yields a hearty 12 servings, perfect for a family gathering or meal prep.
• How to Scale: If you’re hosting a larger crowd or want leftovers, you can easily double the recipe. Just make sure your casserole dish is large enough to accommodate the increased quantity. If not, you can bake it in two separate dishes, following the instructions as directed.