Introduction

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

Broccoli Chicken Divan Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

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)
1 ½ to 2 pounds broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces
1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded and 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

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or a 3-quart casserole dish.
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. Set aside.
Step 3: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain well and spread the broccoli evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 4: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, condensed soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard powder, pepper, and salt. Mix well. Stir in the cooked chicken and then spread the mixture over the broccoli in the dish. Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese on top.
Step 5: In a small bowl, mix the bread crumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 22 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are lightly browned and the casserole is bubbly and hot.
Step 7: Serve warm over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes according to your preference.

Tips & Variations

Use rotisserie chicken as a shortcut to save time and add extra flavor.
For a lower-fat version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt.
Try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika for a subtle kick.
Swap the cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or broccoli soup to change the flavor.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. Avoid microwaving to maintain the crispy breadcrumb topping.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. Thaw and drain it well before adding to the baking dish to avoid excess moisture.

Is it possible to make this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely. Assemble the casserole and cover it tightly. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.

Broccoli Chicken Divan Recipe

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4.5 from 119 reviews

Broccoli Chicken Divan is a classic, creamy casserole featuring tender chicken pieces and crisp broccoli florets smothered in a savory cheddar cheese and cream of mushroom soup sauce, topped with a buttery breadcrumb crust. This comforting dish is perfect for a family dinner and pairs wonderfully with rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.

Author: Bella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 32 minutes
Total Time: 47 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Scale

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 and Toppings

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
3 Tablespoons Panko bread crumbs or buttery crackers (like Ritz crackers)
1 Tablespoon melted butter

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or a 3-quart casserole dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
Cook Chicken: If using raw chicken breasts, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook for about 10 minutes until fully cooked through and no longer pink inside. Remove from heat and set aside.
Blanch Broccoli: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place the broccoli florets into the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes until they are just tender-crisp. Drain thoroughly and arrange the broccoli as the bottom layer in your prepared baking dish.
Mix Sauce and Assemble: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard powder, black pepper, and kosher salt. Stir well to combine. Fold the cooked chicken into this mixture. Spread the chicken and sauce mixture evenly on top of the broccoli in the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
Prepare 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 on the casserole.
Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-22 minutes, until the breadcrumb topping is lightly browned and crispy, and the casserole is bubbling hot.
Serve: Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This hearty casserole pairs excellently with rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.

Notes

You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup if preferred.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free bread crumbs or crackers.
Ensure the broccoli is well-drained after boiling to prevent a watery casserole.
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat thoroughly before serving.
Optional: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce for a subtle spicy kick.

Keywords: Broccoli Chicken Divan, chicken casserole, creamy chicken broccoli bake, cheddar chicken casserole, comfort food, easy dinner recipe