As a mom with a passion for creating delicious, home-cooked meals that bring the family together with less cook time, I’m going beyond the slow cooker and getting into casseroles!
One of my new all-time favorites is Chicken Divan, a classic casserole dish known for its irresistible combination of tender chicken, broccoli, and creamy cheesy sauce.
Loved by both kids and adults, Chicken Divan is my go-to recipe for easy weeknight dinners and potluck gatherings if I want everything thrown together and cooked in just over 30 minutes.
Its ooey, gooey, cheesy goodness never fails to delight, making it a fan favorite that has stood the test of time.
Trust me, you won’t want to miss out on the step-by-step guide that will have you whipping up this family favorite in no time, so keep reading for all the delicious details!
Key Takeaways
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Main Ingredients: Chicken, broccoli, cream of chicken canned soup (or homemade!), cheddar cheese, and more
- Servings: 6
- Extras: Add carrots, peas, onions, and more vegetables to get more nutrition in; plus, serve Chicken Divan with dinner rolls, roasted potatoes, and quinoa for a complete, satisfying meal
- Tip: You can make homemade cream of chicken that tastes better than the canned stuff, plus can be made gluten-free if you need it!
Easy Classic Chicken Divan Recipe
I first stumbled upon the Chicken Divan recipe while searching for something simple yet satisfying to prepare for my family’s weeknight dinner.
With only 9 ingredients and 20 minutes to cook, I knew I was in!
I included 20 minutes for prep time, knowing some of us will need to cut and cook the chicken while the broccoli is going and you might make the cream of chicken from scratch like I did.
But if you have some chicken ready to go, as I did, and want to use the canned cream of chicken, the prep for Chicken Divan can be less than 10 minutes.
Firstly, I cooked the broccoli according to the package instructions. I recommend using frozen broccoli compared to fresh broccoli to save on chopping and cooking time.
While the broccoli was steaming, I cubed the leftover chicken from another dinner we had earlier in the week.
Savvy Mama Tip: To save on time if you don’t have leftover chicken, you can shred pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the store, which is already seasoned and incredibly juicy.
As the broccoli cooled, I placed it into an 8-inch square dish, followed by a layer of chicken cubes.
The next step is to create the creamy soup mixture. Simply combine the milk, sour cream, and canned soup in a bowl.
Whisking them together only takes a few seconds, creating a luscious blend with minimal effort to get that rich and creamy sauce.
Pour this soup mixture over the layers of chicken and broccoli. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
For the finishing touch, I mixed the optional melted butter with bread crumbs and sprinkled it over the cheese (I did it in the microwave, but you could also toast them in a skillet).
I think next time, I’ll add some parmesan cheese tot he breadcrumbs to give them a cheesy taste, too- it would be a nice addition, who doesn’t want more cheese?
Although the bread crumbs are optional, they add a pleasant crunch and texture to the dish so I recommend trying it at least once when making the recipe before skipping out.
After seasoning with salt and pepper, I popped the dish into the oven to cook at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
When it’s done, you’ll have a lovely casserole that bubbled up nicely while baking, creating a golden, cheesy topping.
Savvy Mama Tip: To make Chicken Divan even faster on busy nights, you can prepare it the evening before or email prepping for the weekend, cover it, and refrigerate it.
When you’re ready to cook the dish, just take it out and pop it into the preheated oven. Trust me, this small prep ahead can make your life so much easier!
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked and cubed
- 16 oz bag of frozen broccoli
- 1/3 cup of milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter melted optional
- 2 tablespoons bread crumbs optional
- Salt and pepper
- 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup (1 can) see my recipe below to make it homemade or Gluten-Free
Instructions
- Cook broccoli according to package and chop up.
- Put the broccoli into an 8-inch square dish.
- Top the broccoli with chicken.
- In a bowl, mix the milk, sour cream, and canned soup to make a soup mixture.
- Pour the soup mixture over the chicken.
- Top the chicken and soup mixture with cheese.
- Mix the melted butter and bread crumbs and sprinkle on top of the cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
Gluten-Free Chicken Divan
This gluten-free chicken divan recipe delivers amazing flavor and is every bit as creamy and cheesy as the flour-based versions.
When eating gluten-free, it’s rare to enjoy a creamy casserole with cream of “fill in the blank” soup (most are flour-based unless you get the good stuff in the GF aisle!).
The key to this recipe is to make your own cream of chicken soup, which is way easier than you would think.
I can show you how to make cream of chicken in no time, so as long as you have some gluten-free flour in your pantry, you probably already have everything you need to make this!
Here’s how I made Gluten-Free Chicken Divan:
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
- 16 oz bag of frozen broccoli
- 1/3 cup of milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter melted, optional
- 2 tablespoons gluten-free bread crumbs optional
- Salt and pepper
- 10.5 oz Gluten-free cream of chicken canned soup (1 can- or homemade below!)
Instructions
- Cook broccoli according to the package and chop it up.
- Put the broccoli into an 8-inch square dish.
- Top with chicken.
- In a bowl, mix together the milk, sour cream, and cream soup to make a soup mixture.
- Pour the soup mixture over the chicken.
- Top the soup mixture with cheese.
- Mix together the melted butter and bread crumbs and sprinkle on top of the cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
Gluten-Free Cream of Chicken Soup
You can snag a can of gluten-free cream of chicken soup for less than $2 at some stores for Chicken Divan, as I’ve shown above, but let me show you how to make it fast and quick for yourself:
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk, preferably whole milk
- 3 Tbsp gluten-free flour
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 cube chicken bullion
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, whisk 1 cup milk with the gluten-free flour and heat over medium.
- Add the butter, bullion, and salt.
- When it starts to bubble, reduce the heat and simmer for a couple of minutes, stirring often. Set aside.
- When adding to Glute-Free Chicken Divan, mix with milk and sour cream to make the soup mixture that covers the chicken.
FAQs
Can I make Chicken Divan in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can make Chicken Divan in a slow cooker! Here’s how:
- Place the cooked broccoli and cubed chicken in a slow cooker.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the milk, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup.
- Pour the creamy sauce over the broccoli and chicken in the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
- In a small pan, melt butter and mix in breadcrumbs until coated.
- Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture over the dish before serving.
The main thing you want is to make sure the breadcrumbs are a little crispy since the slow cooker can’t achieve that crunchy texture like baking in the oven can.
Why is the recipe called chicken divan?
The name for chicken “divan” comes from the French word for a long seat or sofa, often used to refer to a room for lounging and relaxation.
People believe that this dish was named after the Divan Parisien Restaurant, which opened in New York in 1917 and popularized dishes containing chicken and broccoli.
The term has since been used to describe any dish with those two ingredients, including this creamy casserole. So when you make it, remember that you are indulging in a bit of culinary history!
Are the cream of chicken and breadcrumbs the only things to change to make Chicken Divan gluten-free?
Yes, the cream of chicken and breadcrumbs are the only ingredient changes needed to make this recipe gluten-free.
Many “cream of anything” cans are made with flour or produced in factories with cross-contamination, so getting GF cream of chicken or making it yourself is a must.
Also, be sure to use gluten-free bread crumbs or swap them out for crushed-up rice crackers for a delicious GF alternative.
Can I use other vegetables instead of broccoli?
Absolutely! This recipe is very versatile, and you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand or prefer. Some great options include cauliflower, peas, carrots, or a mix of different veggies.
Just make sure to cook or blanch them beforehand so they are soft enough for the casserole.
Can I meal prep Chicken Divan to make weeknight cooking go quicker?
Yes, this recipe is perfect for meal prep! Simply make the casserole according to instructions, but do not bake it.
Instead, cover it and store it in the fridge for up to three days before baking and enjoying it.
You can also freeze the unbaked casserole for longer storage; just be sure to thaw completely before baking as directed to prevent an uncooked center.
What sides should I serve with Chicken Divan?
This casserole is a well-rounded dish on its own, but here are some ideas for delicious sides to accompany it:
- A simple green salad with Italian dressing
- Garlic bread or dinner rolls
- Roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes
- Steamed rice or quinoa
Final Thoughts
With its creamy texture, delightful flavor, and versatility, Chicken Divan has become a household favorite in my family.
My daughters absolutely adore this casserole, making it a staple in our meal rotation at least twice a month! It never fails to bring smiles to their faces and comfort to our dining table.
Whether baked in the oven or simmered in the slow cooker, it consistently delivers a delicious, satisfying meal.
With simple ingredients, it’s a dish that can be enjoyed by everyone, even gluten-free, offering not only nourishment but also joy in its every bite.
So go ahead and give this Chicken Divan a try—your family might just fall in love with it as much as mine has!
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What can we substitute for the bouillion cubes? My daughter and I are allergic to msg and soy. MSG is in almost all bouillion cubes or mixes.
How much gluten free flour????
Yes, I would like to know the amount of gluten free flour as well… I would really like to make this recipe in about a week so would need an answer soon please 🙂
Not sure if you have prepared it yet but the recipe says 3 tablespoons of gluten free flour. We doubled the recipe, so we used 6 tablespoons. Hope this helps
My family devoured this! Pretty easy too. Great recipe. Thanks!!
I tried this recipe and felt that there wasn’t enough sauce. I added 1 cup of mayo and it was ok. I was disappointed that your recipe did not have curry. I missed the curry since that was my in my family’s recipe. I plan on adding it to the sauce next time.
I made this recipe this afternoon. The only thing I did different was to sprinkle the chicken breasts strips with a little celery &onion salt while sautéing them. I also just thaw frozen broccoli and lay in pan. Followed all the rest of directions. I had to double recipe as needed dinner for 8 – IT WAS A HIT ! I would say best ever Chicken Divan and was really simple! Thanks!
?? picture shows rice? do you place rice in the bottom of the casserole ??
No, you just serve it over rice.