My Chicken Broccoli Divan is an irresistibly savory casserole. Whether you grew up eating it at Sunday dinners or you’re discovering it for the first time, this version keeps all the cozy charm while streamlining the steps for busy weeknights. It’s freezer-friendly, crowd-pleasing, and endlessly adaptable for your family.
Casserole are big in my household. They are quick and easy to assemble for delicious make ahead meals. Two favorites are my creamy chicken pasta bake or my easy chicken and stuffing casserole.
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Why this Chicken Divan Casserole Recipe is a Keeper
This chicken recipe for chicken divan is a classic. Here’s why our version is the one to save for later. Your family will love it just like mine does.
- Ultimate Comfort Food: I love this recipe because it’s creamy, cheesy, and satisfying. It’s truly the epitome of comfort food, perfect for a chilly evening or a family gathering.
- Crowd-Pleaser: The mild, familiar flavors of chicken, broccoli, and a cheesy sauce appeal to almost everyone, including picky eaters. It’s a reliable dish for potlucks and family dinners.
- Easy to Make: Despite its rich taste, the recipe is straightforward, often relying on canned soups or simple sauce components, making it accessible even for novice cooks.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This easy chicken divan casserole assembles beautifully ahead of time, making it a lifesaver for busy weeknights or entertaining.
- Versatile and Adaptable: It’s highly customizable to various dietary needs or ingredient availability, as you’ll see in the variations section.
What Kind of Chicken is Best for Broccoli Chicken Divan?
I like to use shredded chicken breasts, but I’ve also used rotisserie chicken. Feel free to use whatever kind of chicken you like as long as it’s chopped or shredded into bite size pieces.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Creamy and delicious! A wonderful classic recipe that my family loved!”
~ Raquel
Ingredient Notes to Make Chicken Divan
All of the required ingredients for Campbell chicken divan are easy to find at the store, but some of the ingredients may be around the kitchen already.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cooked Chicken: Rotisserie, baked, or grilled chicken all work. Chop it or shred it based on your preference. This is a great recipe to use up leftover chicken or leftover turkey.
- Broccoli: Use fresh broccoli florets for the best texture, but frozen can also be used. Be sure to thaw and drain the broccoli thoroughly.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: The classic base. You can sub with a homemade white sauce or use cream of mushroom soup.
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar adds bold flavor. Grate your own for best meltability.
Variations and Substitutions for Easy Chicken Broccoli Divan
Easily customize this recipe by experimenting. Take it to the next level by using different ingredients and trying different flavors.
- Cream Sauce: For a richer, less “canned soup” flavor, make a homemade white sauce (béchamel) with butter, flour, milk/broth, and then stir in cheese and seasonings.
- Different “Cream Of” Soups: Cream of celery, cream of asparagus, or even cream of broccoli soup can be used.
- Sour Cream/Greek Yogurt: Stir in 1/2 to 1 cup of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt for extra tang and creaminess.
- Cheese: Try different cheeses or cheese blends like Swiss cheese, parmesan, gruyere or Monterey jack.
- Topping: If you don’t have saltines, you can use crushed ritz crackers instead. You could also try crushed pork rinds instead.
- Crushed Potato Chips: For a salty, crunchy twist.
- French Fried Onions: A beloved classic for the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: Feel free to try panko breadcrumbs on top of this chicken divan recipe.
- Add-Ins: Mix in more protein and vegetables like sautéed sliced mushrooms, pimento, lemon juice or pasta for an even heartier dish
How to Make Chicken Divan Casserole
This recipe for chicken divan comes together in 3 easy to follow steps. It’s a great option for when you have no idea what to make for an easy dinner.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Make the Casserole: Combine the chicken, broccoli, cream of chicken soup, mayo and All Purpose Seasoning in a 9×13 casserole dish.
- Add the Topping: Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of the casserole. Mix together the crushed crackers and melted butter together and distribute over the cheese.
- Bake: Finally, bake the casserole for 30 minutes.
Make Ahead Ideas for this Easy Chicken Divan Dinner Recipe
When I prepare ingredients ahead of time, it can help save me time and kitchen space when it comes to making everything for dinner.
- Full Assembly: Assemble the entire casserole in the baking dish (without baking). Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold.
- Cook the Chicken & Broccoli: Cook and shred or dice the chicken, and steam/blanch the broccoli. Store separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- Mix Sauce Base: If using a homemade sauce, prepare it and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. If using canned soup, simply have it ready.
Alternate Cooking Methods for Delicious Chicken Casserole
If you don’t want to use your oven, you can also make this Campbell’s® recipes in the crock pot. You will love this chicken divan recipe due to it’s ersatility.
- Slow Cooker: Cook chicken and broccoli as usual. Combine all ingredients (except topping) in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1.5-2 hours, or until heated through and bubbly.
Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Chicken Broccoli Divan
- Storing: Store leftover cooked chicken broccoli divan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze chicken divan in freezer safe airtight containers.
- Reheating: For individual portions or a whole casserole, cover with foil (to prevent drying) and bake at 325-350°F until heated through and bubbly. Remove foil for the last few minutes if you want to re-crisp the topping.
- Microwave: You can easily reheat individual portions in the microwave. If using frozen, let thaw in the refrigerator.
- Using Leftovers: Serve heated leftovers over freshly cooked white rice or egg noodles for a quick meal. Add rice if you like. Minute rice is a quick way to make this recipe.
- Stuffed Potatoes: Place broccoli mix into baked potatoes or sweet potatoes.
- Puff Pastry Pockets: Spoon soup mixture into squares of puff pastry, seal, and bake until golden brown.
Common Questions About This Copycat Paula Deen Recipe
Steam it just until bright green and still firm. Avoid boiling or over-steaming because it will continue to cook in the oven.
Sure! Be sure to use gluten free cream of chicken soup instead of regular. You can also pick up your favorite gluten free crackers or bread crumbs.
Expert Tips for Making Chicken Divan with Mayo
- Don’t Overcook Broccoli: This is crucial! Broccoli should be crisp-tender before going into the casserole. It will continue to cook in the oven, so slightly undercooked is better than overcooked to start.
- Drain Frozen Broccoli Well: If using frozen broccoli, thaw it and squeeze out as much excess water as possible. This prevents a watery casserole.
- Season Generously: Even if using canned soup, don’t be afraid to season the mixture with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or a pinch of curry powder to elevate the flavor.
- Taste the Sauce: Before mixing everything, taste the sauce mixture and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Even Distribution: Ensure the chicken and broccoli are evenly distributed throughout the dish so every serving gets a good mix of ingredients.
- Cheese Matters: Use good quality cheese that melts well. Shredding your own cheese often melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties.
- Cover for Moistness, Uncover for Crispness: Cover the casserole with foil for most of the baking time to ensure it heats through evenly and stays moist. Uncover for the last 10-15 minutes to brown and crisp the topping.
- Rest Before Serving: Like many casseroles, letting it rest for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven allows the sauce to set slightly, making it easier to serve cleanly.
- Serve this Recipe: Serve rotisserie chicken and broccoli casserole with Perfect Brown Rice, Garlic Parmesan Green Beans or Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes.
More Recipes You Might Like
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Chicken Broccoli Divan Casserole
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Ingredients
- 2 cups Chicken, cooked and cut/shredded into bite sized pieces
- 2 cups Broccoli florets
- 31.5 ounces Cream of chicken soup, 3, 10.5 ounce cans
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons All Purpose Seasoning Blend
- 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
- 30-40 Saltine crackers, 1 sleeve, crushed
- 4 Tablespoons Butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- Combine the chicken, broccoli, soup, mayonnaise and All Purpose 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.
Christina’s Notes
- Steam Broccoli Lightly: Helps preserve that tender-crisp texture.
- Make it Ahead: Assemble up to a day in advance and store in the fridge.
- Cheese Matters: Grate your own for the best melt and flavor.
- Use a Crunchy Topping: A mix of buttered crumbs and cheese adds irresistible texture.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Love this chicken recipe! It looks delicious and filling! So simple to make!
LOVE this! It’s the only way I can get my kids to eat broccoli!
This chicken, broccoli, and cheese casserole is so good! Such yummy flavors and great comfort food when it is chilly outside. Thanks for the clear instructions.
This was absolutely delicious!
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
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! 🙂
Your chicken divan looks really good! Thanks for linking up for Friday Favorites last week!
That is comfort food at its best… and a good use for leftover turkey!
another friday’s favorite for sure 🙂
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.
wow, sounds yummy and thanks for sharing your recipe with us! belated happy thanksgiving and have a great weekend! 🙂
What a lovely casserole! Love chicken and broccoli dishes. Thanks for linking up to Friday Potluck this week! 🙂
thanks for sharing the recipe!
will try it
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
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!
Mmmm, creamy rice and turkey! This is always a good choice for post holiday leftover (or cooked fresh any other time!). Thanks.
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!
I’ve had this years ago but couldn’t remember the name. Looks great!! Thanks for sharing with the Hearth and Soul hop.
I haven’t make this with saltines. I bet they add that certain something.
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.
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.
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!