Chicken Divan

5 from 3 votes
3 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.

Our Chicken Divan recipe is loaded with tender chicken and broccoli in a cheesy sauce. This classic dish is so creamy and packed with flavor.

Chicken Divan in a bowl over rice
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients in Chicken Divan
  2. Optional Crunchy Topping
  3. Make it a Freezer Meal
  4. Recipe Tip
  5. Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken Divan
  6. More Chicken Dinner Recipes
  7. How to Make Chicken Divan
  8. Chicken Divan Recipe

If you’re looking for an easy and flavorful dish that’s sure to please the whole family, then try our Chicken Divan. You’ll love this combination of savory chicken, tender broccoli, and a rich, creamy sauce. Because it cooks in the sauce, the cooked chicken comes out so moist and tender. Keep reading for tips on adding a crunchy topping or for making this dish into a freezer meal!

Ingredients in Chicken Divan

  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – cut up into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking
  • Broccoli Florets
  • Cream of Chicken Soup – you can also use cream of broccoli soup or cream of mushroom soup
  • Cheddar Cheese
  • Sour Cream
  • Mayonnaise
  • Lemon Juice
  • Curry Powder – this doesn’t add any spiciness, but it adds some great depth of flavor
  • Rice for Serving – you can serve this dish over brown rice, white rice, quinoa, mashed potatoes, or even egg noodles
  • Kosher Salt and Black Pepper for Serving
white meat and broccoli in a baking pan


Optional Crunchy Topping

Take your Chicken Divan up a notch by adding a crunchy topping. It adds a satisfying crunch to every bite and also contrasts the creamy sauce and tender chicken. In a small bowl, stir together two cups of your favorite crunchy base and mix with ½ cup of melted butter. For the base you can use bread crumbs, Panko bread crumbs, crushed Ritz crackers, or crushed corn flakes. Sprinkle the mixture over the top of the casserole before baking.

Chicken Divan in a bowl over rice

Make it a Freezer Meal

If I know I have busy days head, then I get double the ingredients and make one Chicken Divan casserole for tonight and one to freeze. To freeze, Put the casserole together and then cover the baking dish with a layer of plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Recipe Tip

Baked chicken divan topped with parsley

For extra melty, cheesy goodness you can add a little more shredded cheese to the top of the casserole dish for the last 5 minutes of baking.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken Divan

Why do they call it chicken divan?

It was the signature dish at the Divan Parisien Restaurant at Chatham Hotel in New York City. 

Can you make chicken divan without broccoli?

Sure! You can use cauliflower, asparagus, or green beans.

When was chicken divan invented?

By most accounts, this recipe surfaced in the 1930s or 1940s.

Read Next: 35+ Quick and Easy To Follow Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Surely Love

Chicken Divan in a bowl over rice with a forkful being taken out

How to Make Chicken Divan

Chicken Divan in a bowl over rice

Chicken Divan

5 from 3 votes
Our Chicken Divan recipe is loaded with tender chicken and broccoli in a cheesy sauce. This classic dish is so creamy and packed with flavor.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 10.5 ounce cans cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded, plus more for topping if desired
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 head broccoli chopped into bite sized pieces
  • rice for serving

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350. Spray the bottom of a 9×13 pan with cooking spray. Add chicken pieces, then broccoli pieces.
    chicken breast chunks and broccoli in a baking pan
  • Mix all remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
    chicken divan sauce in a bowl
  • Place spoonfuls of sauce all over the chicken and broccoli. Spread out with a spatula.
    Chicken Divan in a pan before being baked
  • Bake for 30 minutes. If desired, add more shredded cheese on top for the last 5 minutes.
    Baked chicken divan topped with parsley
  • Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.
    Chicken Divan in a bowl over rice

Notes

  • Rice is not included in the nutrition facts. 
  • Optional crunchy topping: mix 2 cups of crushed Ritz crackers (or corn flakes or panko breadcrumbs) with ½ cup of melted butter. Sprinkle over the top of the casserole before baking. 
  • You can add the rice in before baking. Add 3 cups of cooked rice onto the top of the broccoli, before the sauce layer. 
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 433kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 32gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 869mgPotassium: 750mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 974IUVitamin C: 71mgCalcium: 183mgIron: 2mg

Love this recipe?

We want to hear from you! Please leave a review.

Rate and Review



Share This With the World

PinYummly

About the author

Kelsey Crist

Kelsey lives in Washington with her husband, Alex, and two cats, Diana and Nova. Her happy place is in the kitchen listening to an audiobook and trying new recipes. When she's not in the kitchen you can find her hiking, shopping at Trader Joe's, or playing Animal Crossing. Her favorite food is pasta and Alex loves when she makes Homemade Oreos.

More about Kelsey Crist
5 from 3 votes

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How many stars would you give this recipe?




Comments