Chicken Divan is the ultimate comfort food! Chicken, broccoli, and cheddar cheese in a rich, creamy sauce… topped with buttered breadcrumbs and baked to perfection. This easy dinner recipe is sure to become a family favorite!
There are few dinner recipes that are easier or more satisfying than casserole, and Chicken Divan is one of our favorites. Loaded with fresh broccoli, chicken, cheese, and crispy breadcrumbs, it’s creamy, comforting, and so delicious.
I remember my mom making it occasionally when we were growing up… and it was one of those things I always looked forward to. And now that I have kids of my own? Well, they love it just as much!
The reality is you can’t go wrong with the ingredient combo, and you especially can’t go wrong with a recipe that’s THIS easy to make.
Whether you have fond memories of it from childhood or are looking for a new recipe to add to your dinner rotation, you’ll love this quick and delicious Chicken Divan!
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🥦 Ingredients
This recipe is easy to make and relatively easy to shop for. A few things to note – I used fresh broccoli, but you could also use frozen in a pinch. For the chicken, I used 2 large chicken breasts. Rotisserie chicken would be a good time-saving alternative.
I opted for sour cream in my recipe, but some recipes call for mayo if that sounds more appealing to you. As for the cheese, I used a double cheddar blend, but you can feel free to use any type of shredded cheese.
- 6 c. broccoli florets
- 3 c. cooked chicken, cubed
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 c. sour cream
- 1/3 c. chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. mustard powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 c. panko bread crumbs
- 2 Tbsp. butter
📋 Instructions
In terms of prep, you’ll want the broccoli partially cooked. The easiest way to do this is to blanch it, which means dropping it in a pot of boiling water for 2-3 minutes. If you’re using frozen broccoli, I would reduce the time to 1 minute.
For the chicken, I started with raw chicken breasts, which I poached. To poach chicken, simply place it in a large skillet, add about 1 1/2 cups of water, and bring it to a boil. Then reduce the heat to simmer, cover the skillet, and simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- Blanch broccoli by adding it to boiling water for 2-3 minutes; drain and layer in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Layer chicken on top.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine condensed soup, sour cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt and pepper. Mix well and layer over chicken in pan.
- Sprinkle cheese on top.
- Melt butter; stir together with bread crumbs.
- Sprinkle buttered bread crumbs over cheese layer.
- Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes.
🥓 Recipe variations
As with any recipe, there are plenty of ways to vary this according to your tastes. Here are some of my best ideas… feel free to share yours in the comments!
- Use a combination of cauliflower + broccoli
- Add 6 oz. cooked, chopped bacon
- Add 1c. sliced mushrooms
- Stir shredded carrots into the sauce for an added boost of veggies
- Substitute cream of broccoli or cream of mushroom soup
- Replace sour cream with mayo or use a combination of the two
- Use rotisserie chicken or canned chicken, depending on what you have available
- Substitute regular bread crumbs or Ritz cracker crumbs for the panko crumbs
♨️ Storing & reheating
Leftovers (if there are any!) should be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, turn oven to 350° and bake, covered, about 20 minutes or until heated through. Leftovers can also be reheated in the microwave.
🥘 Related recipes
I don’t know about you, but I’m always looking for easy, comforting meals to feed my family. These recipes are some of my family’s favorites!
- Tuna Casserole
- Chicken Noodle Casserole
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Lemon Chicken Rice Casserole
- Chili Mac
- Manicotti
- Penne with Mushrooms & Bacon
- Beef Stroganoff
Ingredients
- 6 c. broccoli florets
- 3 c. cooked chicken cubed
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 c. sour cream
- 1/3 c. chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. mustard powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 c. panko bread crumbs
- 2 Tbsp. butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- Blanch broccoli by adding it to boiling water for 2-3 minutes; drain and layer in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- Layer chicken on top.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine condensed soup, sour cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt and pepper. Mix well and layer over chicken in pan.
- Sprinkle cheese on top.
- Melt butter; stir together with bread crumbs.
- Sprinkle buttered bread crumbs over cheese layer.
- Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes.
Jen says
It’s one of those recipes you have to share because even your 3 kids ask for more! A total win!
George says
It’s only been a week but I have to make this again! I think that sums it up!
Cathy Trochelman says
Happy to hear it!
Janet Bradley says
Can’t wait to try this recipe. Is there a way you could incorporate your recipe variations in the recipe itself as a side note at the end of the recipe.
Thanks, Janet
Cathy Trochelman says
The variations are just suggestions, the recipes are great the way they are!
B says
How much mustard powder, it’s listed twice
Cathy Trochelman says
1/2 tsp. mustard powder
Marnie Jackson says
Made this for dinner tonite. Very easy to make and delicious! Next time will use broccoli & cauliflower, only because I think they go well together & would really work well with the sauce.