Chicken Divan Recipe
on Sep 24, 2024
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Diced chicken and broccoli are smothered in a rich, seasoned sauce and topped with breadcrumbs to create this chicken divan. Warm, creamy, and full of flavor, this is an easy dish that is sure to become a family favorite!
Chicken divan is a dish that is constantly in my rotation, not only because of how easy it is to make but also because it’s warm and full of flavor. The tender chicken and crunchy broccoli make the perfect pair, especially when cooked with a rich and creamy sauce! The buttered breadcrumbs add a salty, crunchy topping to the dish.
We love how this dish is leftover. The longer the casserole sits, the more the flavors come together. Throw this casserole on the table with a loaf of garlic bread and you have a flavorful, well-balanced meal that the whole family will love!
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken Breast—Diced. You can also use chicken thighs.
- Broccoli—We use frozen broccoli, but fresh will work as well. This gives the casserole a bright, earthy flavor and nice crunch!
- White Onion—For a sweet taste to contrast the heavily savory flavors.
- Celery—Diced stalks or hearts
- Panko Bread Crumbs—To create a crunchy coating on top of the dish.
- Cream of Chicken Soup—Acts as the base of your sauce and ties the flavors together.
- Cheddar Cheese—Shredded. To enhance the creamy flavor and texture of the casserole!
- Salted Butter—To help the bread crumbs adhere together for the topping.
- Seasonings—A savory blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to help the flavors pop!
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Chicken Divan
Step #1. Preheat the oven. Coat a pan in nonstick cooking spray. Add the chicken, broccoli, onion, celery, and all of your seasonings. Cook the ingredients until the chicken is cooked all the way through and no longer pink in the middle.
Step #2. Add the cream of chicken soup and half of the cheddar cheese. Fold the mixture and continue cooking over medium heat until the cheese is fully melted.
Step #3. Transfer the chicken mixture to a baking dish and top it with the remaining cheese. Melt the butter in the microwave and use a fork to fold in the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the cheese.
Step #4. Bake your chicken divan in the oven until the dish is bubbly and the breadcrumbs begin to brown. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Despite the name using a French word, chicken divan is a dish that was created in America. In the early twentieth century, a place named ‘Divan Parisian Restaurant’ first served the dish and it started to rapidly grow in popularity! It is essentially a chicken and broccoli casserole that is smothered in a rich and creamy sauce and topped with breadcrumbs. Although it is incredibly easy to make, it is packed with bold flavors which is why it has become an American classic!
Absolutely! There are different variations of chicken divan, so you can add whatever veggies you have on hand. You can even add a mix of veggies or stick to just one. Some veggies you can try are corn, mushrooms, peas, diced carrots, or cauliflower!
If you don’t have bread crumbs, you can also use crushed up crackers to top your chicken divan! Some good options are Ritz, club crackers, or even saltines. Place them in a ziploc bag and crush them with your hands or a spatula until they are well broken up. Combine with the butter, then sprinkle it on your casserole and you’re done. Doing this will give you that slight crunchiness on top of your dish and the perfect finishing touch!
How to Serve and Store Chicken Divan
You can serve your chicken divan straight from the oven or let it sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes so it sets a little bit. Similar to lasagna, this dish thickens as it cools. Chicken divan is a filling and satisfying dish, so you can serve it on its own or add a light side dish or two! Some of our favorites are garlic bread knots or a simple beet salad.
Any leftover chicken divan can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. Reheat a serving of the leftovers in a microwave safe bowl, covered with a paper plate or towel to prevent it from splattering. Cook for 40 seconds and then stir. Continue to cook for 20 seconds at a time until the leftovers are warm and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- For some extra flavor in your topping, try using Italian seasoned panko breadcrumbs instead of regular panko breadcrumbs!
- If you have fresh broccoli then you can use that instead of frozen. Make sure to have at least 3 cups of broccoli after it has been cut into small florets.
- For measuring purposes, 1 cup of diced onion is equal to about ½ of a large onion. One cup of diced celery is equal to about 2 large stalks of celery.
- To save on time, you can use leftover or precooked chicken for this recipe if you have it! Cook the veggies first, then add the chicken in with the cream of chicken soup.
More Chicken Recipes To Consider
From Scratch Recipes
Chicken Brine
Chicken Recipes
Chicken and Biscuits
From Scratch Recipes
Lemon Pepper Chicken
Soups, Stews & Chowders
Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
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Chicken Divan Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
- 3 cups frozen broccoli
- 1 cup diced white onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ¾ cup garlic powder
- ¾ cup onion powder
- 1 14 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ¼ cup salted butter
- ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Coat a large pan in butter, oil, or nonstick cooking spray. Add your chicken, broccoli, onion, celery, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook the ingredients over medium heat for about 7-10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through all the way.
- Add the cream of chicken soup and half of the cheddar cheese. Fold the mixture together and continue cooking over medium heat until the cheese is completely melted.
- Transfer the chicken mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish and top it with the remaining cheese. Melt the butter in the microwave and then use a fork to fold in the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the cheese.
- Bake your chicken divan in the oven for 30 minutes, or until the dish is bubbly and the breadcrumbs begin to brown.
- Serve over cooked white rice and enjoy!
Notes
- You can serve your chicken divan straight from the oven or let it sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes so that it sets back up a little bit. Much like lasagna, this dish will thicken as it cools.
- If you have fresh broccoli then you can use that instead. Make sure you have about 3 cups of broccoli after it is cut into florets.
- You can store your leftover chicken divan in the fridge for up to a week. Reheat a serving of your leftovers in the microwave safe bowl covered with a paper plate or towel. Start with 40 seconds and then stir the leftovers. Continue cooking for 20 seconds at a time until the leftovers are warm.
- 1 cup of diced onion is the equivalent of about ½ of a large onion. 1 cup of diced celery is the equivalent of 2 large stalks of celery.
- For some extra flavor in your topping, try using Italian seasoned panko breadcrumbs instead of regular panko breadcrumbs.
