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.

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

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)

Instructions

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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