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Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Divan Casserole

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Warm, savory, cheesy Chicken Divan Casserole is a simple, and tasty weeknight meal!  This quick main dish can be served as is, over rice or with noodles!  A creamy hot dish with a cheesy butter topping will have your kids licking their plates clean!  

 

 

There was a meme going around social media recently that said: “I’m all for being their mom and feeding them and stuff, but planning dinner every night for 18 years just seems a little excessive.”

Raise your hand if you can agree with this?!  I know I can.  Dinner in our home is the biggest struggle of the entire day.  This might seem funny to you, but I promise you, God laughed really hard when he gave me my oldest. 

Before dinner even makes it to the table, she’s used the word gross, disgusting or I’m not going to eat it at least once.   This of course is reserved for new dishes I’m experimenting on my family.  Her favorites though are always sought with praise!  

 

 

The battle of getting her to eat dinner turns into a 10 – 20 minute ordeal to get her to even try a bite of whatever was made for the night.  My second born has the exact opposite opinion of her.

He likes most things I put on the table and has seconds.  And on occasion, if I’ve really nailed a recipe, I get a “Mom, your the best cook in the world”.  All the while my oldest is pouting about having to take a bite of food.

I assure you, the drama of it all gets old fast.  And 8 out of 10 times she ends up loving the recipe.  However getting her to try that ONE bite is tough.  One day she’ll look back and realize that her mom COULD cook (sometimes) and that the drama was all for naught!

 

 

So what is the deal with this easy Chicken Divan Casserole recipe?  Well, for starters, you get your protein and vegetables all in one single dish.  This means you can serve just this with a side of fruit for dinner instead of a separate main dish and vegetable. 

If you really want to up your game, you could always turn this into Chicken Divan with rice recipe.  Adding rice is a very popular version of this casserole.

My children, as will be no surprise, hate rice.  Which is why we tend to leave it out.  They do on the other hand like noodles {on occasion and depending on which type} so we’ve been known to serve ours over pasta or with pasta on the side. 

No matter how you make it, this is what we American’s like to call the ultimate comfort food. 

 

 

WHAT IS CHICKEN DIVAN CASSEROLE?

The basis of a Chicken Divan Casserole is chicken, broccoli and a cream sauce.  However, what you do with those three items is up to you. You can keep it basic or add rice and extra spices to change up the flavor and texture.

This casserole was originally invited in the 1950’s by a man named Lagasi when he entered his version into a recipe contest.  The recipe was for the invention of a signature dish for the Divan Parisienne Restaurant in the New York Chatham Hotel.    Up until then, no one had even heard of Chicken Broccoli Divan Bake. 

In the 1960’s this recipe caught the attention of the average home cook who turned this chicken divan recipe into an American classic recipe.

Having said that, I had never heard of this recipe until I was well into my 30’s.  Some how this classic american recipe of Chicken Divan with Ritz crackers missed my home.  

 

 

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHICKEN DIVAN?

Because this casserole has vegetables in it, and is a cream sauce, I’d suggest something lite like fruit.  A few of my go to recipes are:

 

 

HOW DO YOU MAKE CHICKEN DIVAN CASSEROLE?

  1. You’ll need to pick your meat. This recipe requires cooked chicken.  We have used rotisserie chicken, boiled chicken and leftover grilled chicken.  We’ve also made this with leftover Turkey from Thanksgiving! Whatever you use, make sure it’s cooked already!  
  2.  Now choose your vegetable.  Traditionally this is made with Broccoli (frozen or fresh) and some even call it Broccoli Divan or Chicken Broccoli Bake.  However I have a friend that loves to make this with asparagus instead of broccoli.  For this recipe though, we’ll be using frozen broccoli.  If you choose to use fresh broccoli, steam it until it’s tender before you add it to your casserole dish.  
  3. Place your broccoli in your casserole dish.
  4. Top with chicken or turkey.
  5. In a separate bowl combine cream of chicken soup, milk, mayonnaise, and lemon juice.  Whisk until creamy. 
    1. Note: If you are looking for a slightly healthier version, use Greek yogurt instead of mayo.  
    2. One reader commented that her family likes to add curry powder to her recipe.   If you do, the recommended amount is 1/4 teaspoon.
  6. Pour this mixture over chicken. 
  7. In a new bowl (or you can use the same bowl as the cream sauce) combine crushed Ritz crackers, sharp cheddar cheese and butter until well mixed.  
  8. Sprinkle this over the casserole and bake.  
  9. Serve immediately when finished baking.

 

 

CAN YOU FREEZE CHICKEN DIVAN CASSEROLE?

Yes you can!  If you plan on freezing this Chicken Broccoli Divan Casserole, there are two simple methods. 

  1. Prepare meal in a disposable pan with a lid. DO NOT BAKE.  I like to add an extra layer of foil around the edge to seal them up tight.  When ready to enjoy, thaw in fridge and bake as directed. 
  2. If you don’t have a disposable pan, line your baking dish with foil, making sure to get up the sides.  Prepare dish as instructed but do not bake.  Cover top with foil and freeze.  Once frozen solid (approximately 24 hours) pop the frozen casserole out of your casserole dish.  Wrap again in another layer of foil and put back in freezer.  When ready to eat, remove the outer layer of foil and place it back into a casserole dish.  Allow to thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as instructed.  

 

 

HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE CHICKEN DIVAN?

There seems to be some debate on how to pronounce the name of this dish.  Would you say Dee-Vahn, Dee-Van or Di (like Dixie)-Van?  I’ve listened to all the versions the internet tells me and each is slightly different from the next. 

However, what they do all agree on is VAN is the right way.  Dee-Van or Di-Van are the right ways to pronounce this dish.  This was news to me as I always called it Chicken Dee-Vahn.

 

Yield: 9 Servings

Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Divan Casserole

Chicken Divan Casserole - fork full of casserole

This Creamy Chicken Divan Casserole recipe is a family favorite! This quick and easy main dish uses leftover turkey or rotisserie chicken! Plus you can turn it into a freezer meal too!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 14 ounce package frozen broccoli florets, thawed
  • 2 cups cooked chicken or turkey
  • 2 (10.5 ounce) cans Cream of Chicken soup
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip or Greek Yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers
  • 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 3 Tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350*F
  2. Place thawed Broccoli Florets on the bottom of a 9x9 casserole dish.
  3. Top with diced cooked chicken or turkey.
  4. In a small bowl combine cream of chicken soup, milk, mayonnaise and lemon juice - see notes if adding rice or curry powder.
  5. Pour soup mixture over chicken.
  6. In same bowl mix cracker crumbs, cheese and melted butter.
  7. Sprinkle cracker mixture over casserole.
  8. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes.
  9. Serve immediately.

Notes

Broccoli: If you wish to use fresh broccoli, steam it for a few minutes before adding to casserole dish.

Rice: I've never added it, but here's my theory. Add in 1 cup of parboiled rice (Uncle Ben's Minute Rice) and 1 cup of water. Mix with soup mix and bake as directed. Taste test and add extra time if rice isn't cooked through.

Curry Powder: If you'd like to add curry powder, it is recommended that you use 1/4 teaspoon curry powder (or more to taste). Add this to the soup mixture before pouring over the chicken.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

9

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 383Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 441mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 17g
Originally Posted: January 2, 2017

Photos & Text Updated: June 4, 2019

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Elisha

Wednesday 6th of September 2023

This is a staple in my household and has been since I was a kid, but growing up we called it chicken Gluck🤣 Don’t ask me why, I honestly have no idea! We omit the cheese and crackers but we do serve it over rice, not mixed in with rice. It’s suck a comforting meal and not too terribly unhealthy either.

Janelle

Friday 22nd of September 2023

I've never heard it called Chicken Gluck! What a fun name! Thanks for the tips!

Robin Abernethy

Sunday 4th of June 2023

My mother's recipe is almost identical, only we heat the sauce in a sauce pan with the cheese, 1/2 tsp curry and 1 TBS melted butter. When cheese is melted into the sauce, spread all over the broccoli and chicken (or turkey) and top with buttered Pepperidge Farm dry dressing.

We had it mostly as a way to use up left over turkey after Thanksgiving.

Janelle

Saturday 30th of September 2023

Love all your suggestions Robin! Thanks for the kind comment.

Kyle

Monday 29th of August 2022

I put a layer of cooked rice on the bottom. Delicious!

Janelle

Wednesday 31st of August 2022

Love this idea! Thanks for sharing.

Emily Risdon

Friday 26th of August 2022

Love! I added a layer of frozen hash browns on the bottom, and used kettle chips as the topping!

Janelle

Wednesday 31st of August 2022

What a creative way to enjoy this casserole. I bet the chips give it a nice crunch.

Frank

Wednesday 6th of July 2022

I substituted broccoli for the mix frozen vegetables also substituted chicken cream soup for the homemade chicken pan gravy Look very creamy Devine casserole.

Janelle

Wednesday 13th of July 2022

Frank your recipe sounds AMAZING! I'd love to come to dinner at your home! Thanks for the suggestions! I'm sure there are a few readers who will love them too!

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