This Chicken Divan with broccoli is a creamy, cheesy family favorite. This version is made from scratch, without canned soup, and it's ready in just 40 minutes, so it's perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Why This Recipe Works
Chicken Divan is a classic casserole that originated in a New York City restaurant in the 1930s. Today, it's usually made with canned cream of chicken soup. But this version ditches the canned soup for a flavorful homemade cream of chicken sauce.
Making Chicken Divan from scratch is quick and easy. Even with the homemade sauce, this easy chicken and broccoli casserole is ready in just 40 minutes.
The creamy sauce is combined with chicken and broccoli, and it's all topped with a crunchy, cheesy topping. It's the perfect comfort food that's a family favorite in my house and sure to be in yours, too!
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken - You'll need three cups of cooked chicken. I used my quick and simple Instant Pot Chicken Breasts recipe, but you can also sauté it or just cut up a rotisserie chicken.
- Broccoli - Fresh broccoli is best in this recipe. If using frozen broccoli, be sure to drain it thoroughly and pat it dry with paper towels to avoid a watery casserole.
- Chicken Broth - Use an unsalted chicken broth to control the salt level of the dish. If using a regular chicken broth, omit the salt from the recipe and season it to taste.
- Cheese - I highly recommend grating your own cheese from a block to get the best melt. Store-bought shredded cheese is coated with anti-clumping agents that can prevent proper melting and can lead to a grainy texture.
- Ritz Crackers - I love to use Ritz crackers to top this broccoli chicken divan. They're crunchy and buttery and are perfect for this dish. You can substitute panko bread crumbs mixed with melted butter if you prefer.
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep- Preheat your oven to 350℉.
- Steam the Broccoli - Steam the broccoli in a large pot with a steamer basket for around 3 minutes or in a microwave-safe container for 4-5 minutes until soft.
- Cook the Onion - Melt the butter in a small saucepan set over medium heat, then add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
- Make a Roux - Add the flour and cook for around 1 minute, stirring constantly, until lightly browned.
- Make the Sauce - Add the chicken broth and milk and whisk for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is thickened. Stir in 1 cup of cheese, sour cream, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, and paprika.
- Assemble - Spread the broccoli into an even layer in a baking dish, then add the chicken.
- Add the Topping - Pour the sauce over the broccoli and chicken, then top with the remaining cheese and the crushed crackers.
- Cook and Serve! - Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 8-10 minutes until the topping is browned and the sauce is bubbling. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips
- If you prefer the convenience of using canned soup for the sauce, omit the chicken broth and flour. To make the sauce, cook the onions, then add the canned soup, milk, cheese, and seasonings, then proceed as directed.
- Swap equal parts mayonnaise for all or some of the sour cream for a tangier sauce.
- Panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter are also a great option for the crunchy topping, or you can leave them out and just use cheese if you'd like.
What to Serve with Chicken Divan
This old-fashioned chicken divan casserole is perfect with a simple side of steamed rice, or you can take it to the next level and serve it with my Instant Pot roasted garlic mashed potatoes!
A salad is also a great side dish choice. My apple walnut salad is a great option, and my copycat Chick-fil-A Kale Salad is perfect for a quick, simple, and nutritious salad.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the leftovers for up to 3 months. If freezing, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
To reheat, place the leftovers in a baking dish and cover with foil. Then, bake in a 325°F oven for 10-12 minutes until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicken Divan is a great make ahead meal. You can prepare the dish and leave off the topping, then cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Remove the dish from the refrigerator 20-30 minutes before cooking. Then, add the topping and cook as directed. It may need an extra 5-10 minutes of cooking time.
Chicken Divan was invented at Divan Parisien Restaurant at the Chatham Hotel in New York City, and the dish is named after the restaurant where it was created.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
📖 Recipe
Chicken Divan without Soup
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets, 1 large head
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups chicken broth, unsalted
- ½ cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 3 cups cooked chicken, cubed
- 12 Ritz crackers, crushed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350℉.
- Steam the broccoli in a large pot with a steamer basket for around 3 minutes or in a microwave-safe container for 4-5 minutes until soft.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan set over medium heat, then add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the flour and cook for around 1 minute, stirring constantly, until lightly browned.
- Add the chicken broth and milk and whisk for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is thickened. Stir in 1 cup of cheese, sour cream, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, and paprika.
- Spread the broccoli into an even layer in a baking dish, then add the chicken. Pour the sauce over the top of the broccoli and chicken, then top with the remaining cheese and the crushed crackers.
- Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 8-10 minutes until the topping is browned and the sauce is bubbling. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.
Anna says
I agree with KT. The sauce is just wonderful. I'm calling this dish Chicken Divine. I have high blood pressure so I left the salt out of the sauce. Also, I didn't have any sour cream so I left it out too, and it still tasted great. I do not ever rewrite a recipe or make improvements on my own....I was just too lazy to go to the store. At any rate, this is a really great Chicken Divan recipe.
KT says
Was searching for a chicken divan recipe without the dreaded canned soup. This one was great! What puts it over the top is the seasonings in the sauce; so many times, these kinds of casseroles are the blandest of bland. My sauce didn't thicken as I'd have liked, but that was likely user error. 🙂