Broccoli Chicken Divan Recipe

Introduction

Broccoli Chicken Divan is a comforting casserole that combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a creamy cheese sauce. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts (about 2 pounds or 3 cups cooked chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (if using raw chicken breasts)
• 1 ½–2 pounds broccoli (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese (shredded, divided)
• 10 ½ ounces condensed cream of mushroom soup (1 can, or cream of chicken soup)
• ⅔ cup sour cream
• ½ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon each garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard powder, and pepper
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons Panko bread crumbs (or buttery crackers like Ritz crackers)
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a 3-quart casserole dish.
2. Step 2: If using raw chicken breasts, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until fully cooked, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Step 3: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until just tender-crisp. Drain well and spread the broccoli in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, the condensed soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard powder, pepper, and kosher salt. Stir in the cooked chicken and spread the mixture evenly over the broccoli in the baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese.
5. Step 5: In a small bowl, mix the bread crumbs with the melted butter. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
6. Step 6: Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are lightly browned and the casserole is bubbly and hot.
7. Step 7: Serve warm over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes, as desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use cream of chicken soup instead of cream of mushroom for a milder flavor.
• Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika for a subtle spicy kick.
• Substitute Panko bread crumbs with crushed buttery crackers for extra richness and crunch.
• For a lighter version, swap sour cream with plain Greek yogurt.
• Cook the chicken in advance to save time on busy nights.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in an oven-safe dish and warm at 350°F until heated through, about 15–20 minutes. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen broccoli works well. Thaw and drain it thoroughly before layering in the casserole to avoid excess moisture.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely. Assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate before baking. Bake just before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Broccoli Chicken Divan Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 658 reviews

Broccoli Chicken Divan is a creamy, cheesy casserole featuring tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and a flavorful mushroom sauce topped with a buttery breadcrumb crust. This comforting baked dish is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner and pairs wonderfully with rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.

• Author: Lara
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 32 minutes
• Total Time: 52 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 4 chicken breasts (about 2 pounds or 3 cups cooked chicken), cut into bite size pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (if using raw chicken breasts)

Vegetables

• 1 ½–2 pounds broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces

Sauce

• 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
• 10 ½ ounces condensed cream of mushroom soup (1 can) or cream of chicken soup
• ⅔ cup sour cream
• ½ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Topping

• 3 tablespoons Panko bread crumbs or buttery crackers (like Ritz crackers)
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or a 3-quart casserole dish to prevent sticking.
2. Cook the chicken: If using raw chicken breasts, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook until fully cooked through, approximately 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Prepare the broccoli: While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain thoroughly to avoid excess moisture and spread the broccoli evenly in the greased baking dish.
4. Make the sauce and assemble: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, the condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard powder, black pepper, and kosher salt. Mix until smooth. Stir in the cooked chicken pieces. Spread this mixture evenly over the broccoli layer in the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly on top.
5. Add the breadcrumb topping: In a small bowl, mix the Panko bread crumbs (or crushed buttery crackers) with the melted butter until combined. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cheese layer to create a crispy topping.
6. Bake the casserole: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-22 minutes. Bake until the breadcrumb topping is lightly browned and the casserole is bubbling hot throughout.
7. Serve: Remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Serve the Broccoli Chicken Divan over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes as desired for a complete meal.

Notes

• You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup if preferred.
• For a lower fat version, use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
• Ensure broccoli is well-drained before adding to prevent a watery casserole.
• The breadcrumb topping can be swapped for crushed buttery crackers for a richer flavor.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.

Keywords: Broccoli Chicken Divan, chicken casserole, creamy chicken broccoli bake, comfort food, cheesy casserole