This Chicken Divan recipe is one of my family’s favorite easy casseroles. It’s made with shredded chicken, chopped broccoli, a creamy sauce and topped with cheese and a crispy cracker crust. PURE COMFORT FOOD!
My mother-in-law introduced me to this recipe many years ago. It quickly because a family favorite because it’s incredibly easy to make, freezes well and is amazing when the leftovers are reheated.
What is Chicken Divan Casserole?
Chicken Divan is a delicious casserole that is full of cooked chicken, fresh broccoli and a creamy sauce. The entire casserole is topped with a layer of cheese and then a crispy, buttery cracker crust.
The recipe was invented at the Divan Parisien Restaurant in the New York City Chatham Hotel in the early 1900’s. Since then, this classic American casserole has become a family staple in many households.
How to Make This Chicken Divan Recipe – Step by Step
- Cook the Chicken: The first step in making this Chicken Divan casserole is cooking the chicken. You can use any type of chicken that you’d like. I like roast chicken breasts – here’s a great tutorial.
- Shred the Chicken: Next you need to shred the chicken into bite sized pieces.
- Chop the Broccoli: I like to use fresh broccoli for this recipe. I chop into small, bite-sized florets.
- Make the Sauce: Combine the sauce ingredients with the cooked chicken and chopped broccoli.
- Shred the Cheese: shred your favorite cheese – I prefer cheddar. You can use what ever type you prefer. And spread an even layer of the casserole.
- Make the Cracker Topping: Crush the crackers and mix them with melted butter. Spread the cracker crumbs in an even layer on top of the casserole and bake until cooked through.
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Looking for more? Check out all of the casserole recipes on It Is a Keeper.
Can You Freeze Chicken Broccoli Divan?
Absolutely! One of my favorite things about this recipe is that I can freeze it. When I make this recipe, I always make a double or triple batch so that I can stash it in the freezer for dinner at a later date.
I like to use these pans when freezing this casserole. I’ve found that they are great for going straight from the freeze to the oven.
What Kind of Chicken Can You Use for Chicken Divan?
This is the beauty of this recipe…you can use whatever chicken you have on hand. As long as you have the specified amount of cooked chicken in the recipe (see below), you are good.
Here are some options you can try:
- Poached chicken breast or thighs
- Roasted chicken (I love this recipe)
- Store bought, rotisserie chicken
I would probably refrain from using canned chicken, however. The texture is just too fine for me.
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Expert Tips for Making the Best Chicken Divan Casserole
There are so many variation of this classic, comfort food, casserole around.
- Change up the flavor: Try adding a bold flavor, like curry, to the sauce for even more flavor. Chicken Divan with curry is really popular.
- Try a fancy style: The Paula Deen Chicken Divan recipe is an elevated version of my recipe. She uses white wine and bread crumbs in her version.
- Make your own sauce from scratch: If you want to take this to the next level, try making your own cream sauce. You can use this recipe as a base.
Shop This Recipe
- My favorite casserole dish
- Broccoli Cutter
- Chicken Shredder
⭐⭐⭐ RATE THIS RECIPE ⭐⭐⭐
If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it in the comment section below.
Chicken Divan Recipe
EQUIPMENT
- Baking Dish
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken – cooked and cut/shredded into bite sized pieces
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 10.5 ounce cans cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons House Seasoning Blend
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 sleeve saltine crackers – crushed
- 4 Tbsp butter – melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine the chicken, broccoli, soup, mayonnaise and House Seasoning Blend in a 13×9 inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of mixture.
- Combine crushed crackers and melted butter; Spread on top of shredded cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
Notes
- Change up the flavor: Try adding a bold flavor, like curry, to the sauce for even more flavor. Chicken Divan with curry is really popular.
- Try a fancy style: The Paula Deen Chicken Divan recipe is an elevated version of my recipe. She uses white wine and bread crumbs in her version.
- Make your own sauce from scratch: If you want to take this to the next level, try making your own cream sauce. You can use this recipe as a base.
Nutrition
- Want to scale a recipe up or down? Simply type in a new serving amount and the recipe will automatically adjust!
- When a recipe call for House Seasoning Blend, you can use this recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- I always use unsalted butter in my recipes.
- I always use a meat thermometor to test for doneness when cooking meat. This one is my favorite.
- When a recipe is made in the oven, it should be pre-heated to the temperature in the recipe, unless otherwise noted.
- The nutritional information provided in this recipe is an estimate. Learn more on how I calculate nutritional information for my recipes.
Amber says
Chicken Divan is my family’s favorite recipe too! My recipe is so similar to yours that I know you have a fantastic dish! LOL
Just a simple note: I always make a double batch so that I have left overs. The next day I use the casserole to make chicken broccoli enchilada’s. I simply roll up the left over filling in flour tortilla’s, place them in a baking dish that is coated with non-stick spray, pour a large can of green chili enchilada sauce over them, cover and bake for 40-45 min at 350 degree’s.
Top with additional cheese during the last 10 minutes of baking if you want.
Trust me, you will become seriously hooked!
Best wishes for a wonderful 2011!
Amber
itsakeeper says
WOW, Amber! What an awesome suggestion! I will definitely need to give this a try! Thank you so much for sharing!
Have a wonderful New Year! 🙂
Jerri says
Your chicken divan looks really good! Thanks for linking up for Friday Favorites last week!
sandi @the whistlestop cafe says
That is comfort food at its best… and a good use for leftover turkey!
another friday’s favorite for sure 🙂
Jenn says
If only we have oven, I would like to try this one, too.
my Food Trip Friday post
By the way, I would like to invite you for my Weekend Eating meme, if you want to join (and I hope you do), you can view the rules HERE. Thanks so much.
cheerful says
wow, sounds yummy and thanks for sharing your recipe with us! belated happy thanksgiving and have a great weekend! 🙂
Erin @ EKat's Kitchen says
What a lovely casserole! Love chicken and broccoli dishes. Thanks for linking up to Friday Potluck this week! 🙂
yen says
thanks for sharing the recipe!
will try it
Debbie says
This really sounds good. I need something to take to a potluck next week. Think this is it. Come link up with Crock Pot Wednesdays. There’s a giveaway going on. http://diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com/2010/11/crock-pot-wednesday-2010-thanksgiving.html
christy larsen says
what a beautiful and easy dish. i love that it can be prepared in advance and then just popped in the oven—great busy night dinner! i will definitely be trying this out with leftover turkey (providing we have any) 🙂 thank you for sharing this with tuesday night supper club…have a wonderful thanksgiving!
Melynda@Moms Sunday Cafe says
Mmmm, creamy rice and turkey! This is always a good choice for post holiday leftover (or cooked fresh any other time!). Thanks.
Lyndsay the Kitchen Witch says
I have made this casserole before, but never with saltines on top. I can absolutely imagine what a great addition they would be and will add them next time I make this.
Yumm!
Jason@JLHealth says
I’ve had this years ago but couldn’t remember the name. Looks great!! Thanks for sharing with the Hearth and Soul hop.
JDaniel4's Mom says
I haven’t make this with saltines. I bet they add that certain something.
Butterpoweredbike says
I’m glad to see this recipe because this is something I’ve always heard about, but have never tasted. I think I missed out on something growing up! Thanks for sharing with the Hearth and Soul hop.
momstheword says
Oh yummy! I will have to try this. I make something similiar with chicken, broccoli, and sour cream instead of the mayo. However, I want to try your recipe with the saltines, fun!
One of our favorite casseroles can be found on my blog under the recipes label. It’s has hamburger (we use ground turkey), tomatoes, penne pasta and mozarella cheese. It can be made ahead and frozen or put in the fridge til later.
Thanks for linking up to Making Your Home Sing Monday.
meg says
that sounds good – at first i thought you wrote cream of mushroom soup & that never goes over well here – but cream of chicken sounds delish!