Broccoli Chicken Divan Recipe

Introduction

Broccoli Chicken Divan is a comforting casserole that combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a creamy, cheesy sauce baked to perfection. This classic dish is easy to prepare and perfect for a satisfying family dinner any night of the week.

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 your oven to 400°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or a 3-quart casserole dish.
2. Step 2: If using raw chicken, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add broccoli and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until just tender-crisp. Drain well and spread broccoli evenly in the bottom of the baking dish.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl, mix together 1 cup shredded cheddar, condensed soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, pepper, and salt. Stir in the cooked chicken, then spread the mixture evenly over the broccoli in the dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese on top.
5. Step 5: In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the casserole.
6. Step 6: Bake uncovered for 20 to 22 minutes, or until the topping is lightly browned and the casserole is bubbly and heated through.
7. Step 7: Serve warm over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.

Tips & Variations

• For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream or low-fat cheese.
• Try substituting the broccoli with cauliflower or a mix of your favorite vegetables.
• Adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika can give the dish a subtle kick.
• Leftover casserole can be reheated with an extra sprinkle of cheese on top to refresh the flavors.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes, or use a microwave on medium power in short intervals, stirring as needed for even heating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Yes, pre-cooked chicken works perfectly and can save you time. Just shred or chop it before adding to the casserole.

What can I serve with Broccoli Chicken Divan?

This casserole pairs well with steamed rice, buttered noodles, or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Broccoli Chicken Divan Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 76 reviews

Broccoli Chicken Divan is a creamy, comforting casserole featuring tender chicken pieces, crisp broccoli, and a cheesy mushroom sauce topped with buttery breadcrumbs. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a satisfying family dinner and pairs wonderfully with rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.

• Author: Luna
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 32 minutes
• Total Time: 52 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Salt

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

Sauce and Cheese

• 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 pepper
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Topping

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

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or a 3-quart casserole dish to prevent sticking.
2. Cook the chicken: If using raw chicken breasts, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked through and no longer pink inside, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Cook the broccoli: While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until they are tender-crisp. Drain thoroughly to remove excess water. Place the cooked broccoli evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
4. Prepare the sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard powder, pepper, and kosher salt. Stir in the cooked chicken pieces until well mixed.
5. Assemble the casserole: Spread the chicken and sauce mixture evenly over the broccoli layer in the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese evenly on top.
6. Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, mix the panko bread crumbs or crushed buttery crackers with the melted butter until evenly coated. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
7. Bake the casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until the topping is lightly browned and the casserole is bubbly and thoroughly heated through.
8. Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. This casserole is delicious served over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes according to your preference.

Notes

• You can substitute cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom soup based on preference.
• Using panko bread crumbs gives a crispier topping, but buttery crackers provide a rich flavor.
• Make sure to drain the broccoli well to avoid a watery casserole.
• For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat sour cream and cheddar cheese.
• This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; add a few extra minutes to baking time if baking from cold.
• If using cooked chicken instead of raw, skip the olive oil and skillet cooking step.

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