Broccoli Chicken Divan Recipe

Introduction

Broccoli Chicken Divan is a comforting, cheesy casserole perfect for weeknight dinners. It combines tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and a creamy sauce topped with a crunchy breadcrumb crust. This easy bake pleases the whole family with minimal effort.

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 ½–2 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 thoroughly.
2. Step 2: If using raw chicken breasts, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until no longer pink inside, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Step 3: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add broccoli and cook for 2–3 minutes until just tender-crisp. Drain well and spread the broccoli evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
4. 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. Stir in the cooked chicken pieces until well mixed.
5. Step 5: Spoon the chicken and sauce mixture over the broccoli in the baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese on top.
6. Step 6: In a small bowl, mix together the bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
7. Step 7: Bake for 20–22 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the casserole is bubbling hot.
8. Step 8: Serve hot over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes, according to your preference.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon juice or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.
• Substitute cream of chicken soup if you prefer a milder taste.
• Use fresh rosemary or thyme for a fragrant herbal twist.
• To make it lighter, swap sour cream for Greek yogurt.
• Try mixing in cooked cauliflower with the broccoli for more vegetable variety.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through, or reheat the entire dish in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes until hot and bubbly.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli for this recipe?

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

Is it possible to prepare this dish in advance?

Absolutely! Assemble the casserole but do not bake. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then bake as directed when ready.

Broccoli Chicken Divan Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 105 reviews

• Author: Elara
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

Broccoli Chicken Divan is a classic, comforting casserole dish that features tender chicken pieces and crisp broccoli florets smothered in a creamy cheddar cheese and mushroom soup sauce, topped with buttery breadcrumbs for a delightful crunch. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, this baked casserole combines easy-to-find ingredients for a satisfying, flavorful meal.

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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

Cheese and Dairy

• 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
• ⅔ cup sour cream
• ½ cup milk
• 1 Tablespoon melted butter

Other

• 10 ½ ounces condensed cream of mushroom soup (1 can) or cream of chicken soup
• 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)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or a 3-quart casserole dish to prevent sticking.
2. Cook Chicken: If using raw chicken breasts, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook for about 10 minutes, or until fully cooked through and no longer pink inside. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Cook Broccoli: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli pieces and blanch them for 2 to 3 minutes until just tender-crisp. Drain thoroughly to remove excess water and spread the broccoli evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
4. Prepare Sauce Mixture: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, the condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard powder, pepper, and kosher salt. Mix well. Stir in the cooked chicken pieces until evenly coated with the sauce.
5. Assemble Casserole: Pour the chicken and sauce mixture over the broccoli in the baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese evenly on top.
6. Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, combine the Panko bread crumbs (or crushed buttery crackers) with the melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
7. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are lightly browned and the casserole is bubbly and hot throughout.
8. Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Serve the Broccoli Chicken Divan over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes as desired for a complete meal.

Notes

• Use cream of chicken soup instead of cream of mushroom for a slightly different flavor.
• For a lower-fat option, use reduced-fat cheese and sour cream.
• Adding a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce can enhance the flavor.
• Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven.
• To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Broccoli Chicken Divan, chicken casserole, broccoli casserole, baked chicken dish, creamy chicken casserole