Easy Chicken Divan is a flavorful and cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole. With no mayo or cream of mushroom soup, this is a fresh spin on a classic.
Serve Chicken Divan on a bed of mashed potatoes or rice and alongside this simple fruit salad and these dinner rolls.
What is Chicken Divan?
Chicken Divan is a casserole originally created at the Divan Parisian Restaurant in New York’s Chatham Hotel. It typically contains chicken, broccoli, and sauce.
The Chicken Divan I grew up on was loaded with whole milk or cream, cream of chicken soup, and sometimes mayo. Today we’re tossing out all of those ingredients and making this casserole more flavorful than ever.
Ingredients
- Broccoli and Chicken: Broccoli adds a fresh, nutritious element, and cooked, cubed rotisserie chicken provides the main protein.
- Butter and Flour: These are used to make a roux, which thickens the sauce in the chicken divan.
- Milk and Chicken Stock: They create the base for the sauce, offering richness and flavor.
- Cheddar Cheese: Adds creaminess and a sharp flavor to the sauce.
- Sour Cream: Contributes to the sauce’s creamy texture and tanginess.
- Chicken Bouillon Powder, Dijon Mustard, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, and Dried Parsley: These seasonings enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
- Topping (Panko and Butter): Provides a crunchy texture contrast to the creamy casserole when toasted and sprinkled on top.
How To Make Chicken Divan
- Preheat Oven: Set to 350°F.
- Prepare Veggies and Protein: Boil broccoli florets for 3 minutes, then drain. Chop rotisserie chicken into cubes.
- Make Sauce: In a pot, melt butter, mix in flour, gradually add milk and chicken stock, and stir in 1 cup cheese until smooth. Add sour cream, seasonings, and spices.
- Assemble: Layer broccoli and chicken in a 9×13-inch dish. Pour sauce over, top with remaining cheese.
- Prepare Topping: Toast panko in melted butter, then sprinkle over casserole.
- Bake: Cover with foil, bake for 30 minutes until bubbly. Serve hot.
Variations
- Ritz Crackers: Substitute panko with crushed Ritz crackers for a different texture.
- Mayo: Replace sour cream in this chicken divan with mayo, adding 1-2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice.
- Different Veggies: Swap broccoli with asparagus or frozen peas.
- Curry Flavor: Add 1/4 to 1 teaspoon of curry powder to the sauce, plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice and swap the rotisserie chicken for chopped Grilled Curry Chicken.
- With Rice: To have rice already added into the casserole dish, try this similar recipe.
Storage
- Make Ahead: Assemble without baking, store in fridge for 2 days, panko separately. Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes, add panko midway.
- Reheat Chicken Divan: In oven at 350°F for 30 minutes covered, or microwave servings.
- Freeze: Prepare without panko, cool, wrap, freeze up to 3 months. Thaw, bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes, add panko last 10 minutes.
What To Serve With Chicken Divan
- Lemon Rice
- Mashed Potatoes or buttered egg noodles.
- Olive Garden Salad
- No-Knead Dinner Rolls
- Costco Kale Salad
Chicken Divan
Easy Chicken Divan is a delicious and cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole that offers a fresh take on the classic, without using mayo or cream of mushroom soup.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Baking pan 9 x 13-inch
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped fresh broccoli
- 3 cups cubed rotisserie chicken
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1 cup 1% milk
- 2/3 cup chicken stock or broth
- 1-1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese divided
- 2/3 cup fat-free sour cream
- 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder
- 1-1/2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Topping
- 3/4 cup panko
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Cut broccoli into bite-sized florets. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, add in chopped broccoli, and cook for 3 minutes. Drain and let stand till thoroughly dry. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces to make 3 cups.
- Melt butter in a small pot over medium heat. Once melted, gradually add in flour, whisking constantly until a thick paste forms. Whisk for one minute and then gradually add in 1/3 cup of the milk while continuing to whisk. Gradually whisk in 1/3 cup chicken stock. Add in another 1/3 cup milk, the remaining 1/3 cup stock, and remaining 1/3 cup milk. Whisk until completely smooth. Add in 1 cup of cheese and whisk again until completely smooth. Add in sour cream and whisk until smooth. Stir in the chicken bouillon powder, Dijon-style mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Add the dry broccoli to the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch pan. Sprinkle the chicken over top. Pour the sauce over everything, spread to evenly coat, and sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese over top of sauce. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add the panko and stir constantly until crumbs are light brown and toasted. Sprinkle topping evenly over cheese. Cover casserole with foil and bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly around the edges. Remove and serve hot.
Recipe Notes
Storage: To store Easy Chicken Divan, cool completely. Cover tightly or place in an airtight container; refrigerate for up to 3 days. For longer storage, portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 488kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 912mg | Potassium: 177mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 600IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 306mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Chelsea, you’ve done it again! I made the Chicken Divan with no changes. It was flavorful and delicious. I had been looking for a chicken casserole without the canned soup, to take to friends and events. This will be perfect. You need a TV show.
Awe Jane you always make my day with your kind reviews and comments! Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it 🙂 So happy this chicken divan was a hit! XO
The recipe looks great and I’m excited to try it! However, I’m so confused on how this is a one pot meal! Why is everyone celebrating that?
Broccoli steamed/boiled + 1 pot
Sauce + 1 pot
Baking dish + 1 pot/dish
If I add rice or potatoes as a base + 1 pot
That’s 3-4 pots in my math, but what do I know? Either way, I love your recipes and will give this one a try.
“one pot” or “one dish” just means that the entire meal can be served in one pot or dish. Funny… I love a one dish meal, but it often translates to a full dishwasher rack. For this dish, try steaming your broccoli in a medium saucepan, then use that same saucepan to make the sauce. Rinse it out good and make your rice, pasta or potatoes while the casserole bakes.
What a an easy meal! My whole family loves this so much! Thank you!
I’m soo happy to hear this!! Thanks! 🙂
Made this for dinner last night and it was amazing! THANK YOU!
I am soooo happy you enjoyed this! Thanks for your comment! 🙂
Can I make this recipe without the chicken bullion powder. I have chicken broth but no cubes or powder
You can, it will just have less flavor. If you have some poultry seasoning, you can add some of that instead 🙂
One of our favorite dinner recipes!
It’s sooo good! Thanks Susie! 🙂
I am such a sucker for a retro casserole – this recipe is incredible!
I totally am too!! Thanks so much! 🙂
This is legit my favorite. So easy and tasty!
Mine too!! Thanks soo much! 🙂
Cooking this tonight for dinner! Thank you so much for this recipe!!!
Chelsea! Girl, these pictures rock my world! They are incredible! The recipe looks great too – and it was entertaining to read. Keep up the good work! 🙂
You are so kind!! Thank you Sarah 🙂 It means a lot to me!
This looks like the kind of comfort food I love! Can’t wait to try it!