Chicken Divan Casserole is the ultimate comfort food that brings together tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and a creamy, cheesy sauce—all baked into one bubbling, golden-topped dish. Whether you’re planning a weeknight dinner or feeding a crowd, this casserole checks all the boxes: hearty, flavorful, and wonderfully simple to prepare.
Unlike complicated layered casseroles, this recipe lets the ingredients shine with minimal fuss. You can even prep it ahead of time and slide it into the oven when you’re ready. Pair it with rice, mashed potatoes, or flaky biscuits for a complete, soul-satisfying meal that the whole family will devour.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Chicken Divan Casserole Recipe
- One-pan comfort food: Everything bakes in a single dish—fewer dishes, more flavor.
- Family-approved: Even picky eaters love the creamy, cheesy goodness with hidden veggies.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep it the night before and bake fresh the next day—perfect for busy schedules.
- Customizable: Use rotisserie chicken, swap the broccoli, change the cheese—make it your own.
- Freezer-ready: This casserole freezes beautifully, making it great for meal prep or gifting.
- Crowd-pleaser: Ideal for potlucks, Sunday dinners, or weeknight meals that feel like a treat.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about ½ pound)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- ⅔ cup sour cream
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 2½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
- Prepare the chicken by cutting it into bite-sized pieces. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Sauté the chicken and veggies: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chicken, chopped onion, and celery. Cook for about 3 minutes until the chicken is partially cooked.
- Add broccoli and 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan. Continue cooking for another 3–5 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and the broccoli is bright green and slightly tender. Remove from heat.
- Make the creamy mixture: Add the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese to the pot. Stir until evenly combined.
- Assemble the casserole: Transfer the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Spread evenly and top with the remaining cheddar cheese. Cover with foil.
- Bake covered for 20 minutes.
- Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, mix crushed crackers or breadcrumbs with the melted butter.
- Add the topping: After 20 minutes, remove the casserole from the oven, raise the oven temperature to 400°F (205°C), and sprinkle the buttery topping evenly over the casserole.
- Finish baking uncovered for 8–10 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with rice, mashed potatoes, or fluffy biscuits.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15–20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–40 minutes
- Total Time: 45–60 minutes
- Servings: 6 hearty portions
- Difficulty: Medium
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Yes, assemble up to a day ahead and bake when ready
Nutrition Facts (Estimated per serving)
Note: These values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.
- Calories: ~520
- Protein: ~35g
- Carbohydrates: ~18g
- Fat: ~34g
- Saturated Fat: ~15g
- Cholesterol: ~115mg
- Fiber: ~2g
- Sodium: ~780mg
- Sugar: ~4g
Tips & Variations
💡 Tips for the Best Chicken Divan Casserole
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time—just shred and skip the sautéing step.
- Steam or microwave broccoli slightly before adding if you prefer softer texture after baking.
- Shred your own cheese for best melting—pre-shredded often contains anti-caking agents that affect texture.
- Cover tightly when baking the first round to keep the casserole moist and creamy.
🔁 Variations to Try
- Low-carb version: Swap the cracker topping for crushed pork rinds or omit altogether.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne or a splash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
- Add rice inside: Mix 1–2 cups of cooked rice into the casserole before baking for a one-dish meal.
- Different cheeses: Try Gruyère or Monterey Jack for a more gourmet twist.
Chicken Divan Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt butter. Add chicken, onion, and celery. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Add broccoli and olive oil. Cook 3–5 more minutes until chicken is fully cooked.
- Remove from heat. Stir in soup, sour cream, milk, seasonings, and half of the cheese.
- Transfer mixture to the baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Mix crushed crackers with melted butter.
- Remove foil, increase oven temp to 400°F (205°C), and sprinkle topping over casserole.
- Bake 8–10 more minutes until golden. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze Chicken Divan Casserole?
Yes! Assemble the dish, wrap tightly in foil and plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Try using dairy-free cheese, plant-based milk, and a dairy-free sour cream alternative. The texture may change slightly, but it still works!
Conclusion
Chicken Divan Casserole is a weeknight lifesaver and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With juicy chicken, tender broccoli, and a creamy, cheesy sauce all baked to golden perfection, it’s a comforting classic you’ll make again and again. Whether you’re serving it with rice, mashed potatoes, or biscuits, this dish brings warmth and flavor to the table without the stress.