Introduction

Broccoli Chicken Divan is a comforting casserole that combines tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and a creamy cheesy sauce. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and easy to prepare.

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 ½-2 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

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 chicken pieces and cook until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
Step 3: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add broccoli and cook for 2-3 minutes, just until tender-crisp. Drain well and spread evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 4: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, condensed soup, sour cream, milk, and all seasonings. Stir in the cooked chicken, then spread this mixture evenly over the broccoli in the baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Step 5: In a small bowl, mix bread crumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture over the cheese layer.
Step 6: Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are lightly browned and the casserole is bubbly and hot throughout.
Step 7: Let cool slightly before serving. This casserole is delicious served over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a pinch of paprika or cayenne to the breadcrumb topping.
Substitute cream of chicken soup for mushroom soup if preferred.
Use crushed buttery crackers instead of breadcrumbs for a richer topping.
Try adding sliced mushrooms or cooked bacon for added texture and taste.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave in short intervals to avoid drying out.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli for this recipe?

Yes, frozen broccoli can be used. Thaw and drain it well before adding to the casserole to prevent excess moisture.

Is it possible to make this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely. Assemble the casserole and cover it tightly, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the refrigerator.

Broccoli Chicken Divan Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 127 reviews

Broccoli Chicken Divan is a comforting casserole combining tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and a creamy cheesy sauce topped with a buttery breadcrumb crust. Perfect for a family dinner, it’s a simple oven-baked dish that pairs beautifully with rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.

Author: Isabella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 chicken breasts (about 2 pounds or 3 cups cooked chicken), cut into bite-sized pieces
1 Tablespoon olive oil (if using raw chicken breasts)

Vegetables

1 ½ – 2 pounds broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces

Sauce and Topping

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 Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or a 3-quart casserole dish 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 chicken pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and no longer pink in the center, approximately 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Cook Broccoli: While chicken cooks, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli pieces and blanch for 2-3 minutes until they are just tender-crisp. Drain the broccoli thoroughly and spread it evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Prepare Sauce Mixture: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard powder, black pepper, and kosher salt. Mix until smooth, then gently fold in the cooked chicken pieces.
Assemble Casserole: Pour the chicken and sauce mixture over the broccoli in the baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
Add Topping: In a small bowl, mix the Panko bread crumbs with the melted butter until evenly coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the cheese layer to create a crispy topping.
Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-22 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are lightly browned and the casserole is bubbly and heated through.
Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes, according to your preference.

Notes

You can substitute the cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup for a slightly different flavor.
Using pre-cooked chicken can reduce preparation time significantly.
For extra flavor, sprinkle some paprika or cayenne pepper on top before baking.
If you prefer a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.
Make sure to drain the cooked broccoli well to avoid a soggy casserole.

Keywords: Broccoli Chicken Divan, Chicken Casserole, Cheesy Broccoli Chicken, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner