Chicken Divan Recipe

This Easy Chicken Divan Recipe is loaded with diced chicken, broccoli. Then mixed in a cream sauce then topped with crushed bread crumbs. This rice casserole recipes is perfect as a weeknight meal or served with your holiday dinner.

Chicken Divan Easy Recipe is a simple casserole to make with easy ingredients. We love that this casserole is perfect to make ahead and have ready for a busy weeknight. If you love this signature dish, then you are going to Broccoli and Rice Casserole Recipe and Crock Pot Chicken and Broccoli.

What is Chicken Divan?

Chicken Divan is a classic casserole that is creamy, delicious and full of flavor. It is the perfect casserole to use up leftover chicken. It is often called broccoli divan if no chicken is added.

• Chicken – Cook fresh chicken or dice up leftover cook chicken to mix with the other ingredients.
• Broccoli – We like adding fresh broccoli to this casserole. You can use frozen as well but fresh is what we prefer.
• Cream Sauce – The cream sauce consist of simple ingredients. They include sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and milk. We like to add in some chopped celery and onion for added flavor.
• Easy Seasoning – Simple pantry seasoning gives this casserole so much flavor such as black pepper and kosher salt.
• Crunchy Topping – The crushed bread crumb topping is a must with the melted butter. It makes the topping golden brown.

Ingredients

• Butter – We used unsalted butter
• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – Cut into bite size pieces
• Broccoli Florets – Add in cauliflower or substitute the broccoli
• Milk – We like whole milk for a creamy texture
• Garlic Powder – See The Best Garlic Powder Substitute if you are out
• Panko Breadcrumbs – You can also use Ritz Crackers

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

• Broccoli – You can use frozen broccoli or fresh broccoli. We used fresh broccoli in this recipe, but use what you have. Feel free to use other type of veggie such as asparagus.
• Cheese – We used cheddar cheese in this recipe, but you can use what you have. Colby Monterrey Jack or Pepper Jack Cheese works great.
• Chicken – Use any type of chicken you prefer. We used chicken breast in this recipe but you can use chicken thighs or chicken tenders.
• Seasoning – The seasoning can easily be changed or added. We have added some curry powder for some warm flavor.

How to Make Chicken Divan

• Step 1 – Prepare Oven – Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

• Step 2 – Cut Chicken – Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and place in a small bowl.

Step 3 – Melt butter in a skillet, dutch oven or large pot over medium high heat. Add the chicken, onions, and celery and toss to coat. 

Step 4 – Sauté for 3 minutes, until chicken is about halfway done, then add the broccoli. Cook for 3-5 more minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and broccoli is tender. Remove from heat.

Step 5 – Add the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, seasonings, and half of the cheese. Stir to combine.

Step 6 – Pour chicken broccoli casserole to a lightly greased 9 x 13 casserole dish. Then top with remaining cheese. Cover and bake for 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 7 – Combine the melted butter and panko bread crumbs. Sprinkle over the casserole and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the top is golden brown. 

Step 8 – Remove and let it sit for 5 minutes prior to serving. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese for extra cheese flavoring.

Expert Tips

• Leftover Chicken – You can use leftover chicken if you prefer. If you do, then sautéing the chicken isn’t necessary. You can just cook the onions and celery to make them soft. Rotisserie Chicken is always a good option.
• Change Ingredients – Make this an even quicker meal. You can easily make this by mixing the leftover chicken with broccoli and the sauce. No need to cook onions or celery. The casserole will still be delicious even with less ingredients.
• Prepare baking dish – Make sure to prepare pan by greasing it before adding the ingredients. This will help with dish the casserole and for clean up.

What to Serve with Chicken Divan

This Chicken Divan can be served alongside many different dishes. Here are some of our favorites:

• Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes – This recipe is a game changer and makes mashed potatoes so simple. No need for separate pans and boiling potatoes. This easy recipe does not require any boiling or draining.
• Homemade Biscuits – This chicken divan is served perfectly with some homemade biscuits.
• White Rice – Make Instant Pot white rice for an easy side dish. We like to serve this chicken divan on top of the white rice. The chicken, broccoli and sauce makes this dish so delicious.