Chicken Divan
Chicken Divan is a classic comfort dish that makes weeknight dinners easy. Tender chicken and broccoli in a creamy sauce, topped with crispy breadcrumbs and melted cheese, then baked until golden and bubbly. It’s a simple one-pan meal that’s perfect when you want something hearty without a lot of fuss.
There’s nothing quite as comforting as a good chicken casserole, and this Chicken Divan takes me back every time I make it. My best friend Devon made this for us when we first moved to California from the East Coast. We stayed with her for three months while we were getting settled and finding our own place.
She shared this recipe with me back in the 1990s, and I’ve made it countless times since. Lately, I’ve been craving it again—that kind of comfort food you just need sometimes. So I figured it was time to make it for the blog.
What to serve with this chicken dish
You can serve it with brown rice, a salad, potatoes, green beans, or carrots.
We are a participant in Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and other affiliated sites. #CommisionsEarned. You can read my disclosure here.
Ingredients and substitutions
Helpful
Tips
- Pre-Cooking Broccoli: Steam the broccoli just until it’s slightly tender but still firm. Oversteaming can make it mushy when baked. Five minutes should be sufficient for a bright green and crisp-tender texture.
- Chicken Preparation: Use cooked chicken that’s not overly dry. If you’re using leftover chicken, consider moistening it with some chicken broth before adding it to the dish to keep it juicy. I used the chicken breasts I kept out of my whole chicken soup recipe.
- Soup Mixture Consistency: Ensure the soup mixture is not too thick when preparing it. The half cup of milk should help, but add more milk if it seems too thick. This helps create a creamy layer that doesn’t dry out during baking. If you like a saucy chicken divan, add two cans of cream of broccoli soup and twice the milk.
- Cheese Selection: Grate your cheese if possible. Pre-grated cheese often has anti-caking agents that can affect how it melts. Freshly grated cheese will melt more smoothly and evenly.
- Breadcrumbs Topping: For the breadcrumb mixture, use good-quality breadcrumbs for better texture and flavor. The panko breadcrumbs sprinkled on the melted butter will keep the crumbs crunchy without making them too dry.
- Baking Time Monitoring: Start checking your dish around the 15-minute mark. The top should be golden brown, and the sauce should be bubbling when it’s done. Every oven is different, so adjust the time as needed.
- Adding Personal Touch: Feel free to tweak the seasoning to your liking. If you enjoy more heat, a bit more chipotle powder can be added. Or, for a herbaceous note, consider adding some thyme or parsley.
- Ingredient Quality: Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. This is especially true for the cheeses and the cream of broccoli soup.
- No added Salt: I think there is no need to add salt to this recipe as the canned soup and cheese have ample amounts.
Storage and reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. To reheat, add it to a large skillet with a splash of milk and warm it on low for about 10 minutes.
How to make chicken divan
Pre-step
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Get a mixing bowl and a casserole dish. I used a ceramic 13 x 9 pan.
step one
Gather the ingredients – pre-cooked chicken, fresh broccoli, cream of broccoli soup, and Panko bread crumbs.
step Two
Cut the broccoli into florets and place them in a steamer. Steam the broccoli on medium-high heat for 5 minutes. You want the vegetable to be a bright green and a little undercooked. (A)
step Three
Lay the steamed broccoli florets in the bottom of the baking dish. (B)
step Four
Cut the chicken into strips like you see below. I prefer strips of chicken over bite-sized pieces as they give you more to chew.
Lay the chicken over the broccoli. (C)
step Five
Open and add the broccoli soup in the mixing bowl (I use a clear bowl, so it’s hard to see in the photos below) and add milk. (D)
Would you like to save this recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Don't worry, I promise not to spam you.
step Six
Add cognac, garlic powder, and chipotle powder. (E)
step Seven
Sprinkle on the cheese. (D)
step Eight
Take a rubber spatula and fold in the cheese. Stir until it is all mixed together. Spread the soup mixture over the chicken and broccoli. (G)
step Nine
Heat a small saucepan on low and melt the butter. (H)
step Ten
Pour the butter over the top of the soup mix. (I)
step Eleven
Sprinkle the Panko breadcrumbs on top. (J)
Step Twelve
Bake for 15 – 20 minutes. You want it to be bubbly and lightly browned.
Spoon onto a plate.
I hope you enjoy making this broccoli chicken divan recipe as much as I enjoy eating it.
Other chicken dishes
And as always, may all your dishes be delish!
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Chicken Divan
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken (cut into strips)
- 5 cups broccoli (cut into florets, about one pound)
- 10.5 ounces cream of broccoli soup (1 can, condensed)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup shredded gruyere cheese
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (sharp)
- 1 tablespoon cognac (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs (or regular Italian breadcrumbs)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F, and get a casserole dish, and mixing bowl.
- Place the broccoli in a steamer (or in a pot with an inch of water) and steam for 5 minutes. You want the broccoli to be bright green and undercooked.5 cups broccoli
- Lay the broccoli in the bottom of the casserole dish. Add the cut chicken on the broccoli.3 cups cooked chicken
- Open the can of cream of broccoli soup and transfer it to the mixing bowl. Add the milk, cognac, chipotle powder, and cheese. (If you want a lot of sauce in your chicken divan, use two cans of soup.) I prefer it as written.10.5 ounces cream of broccoli soup, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup shredded gruyere cheese, 1 tablespoon cognac, 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
- Spread the soup mixture evenly over the chicken and broccoli. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and dribble it on the soup mixture. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the butter.3 tablespoons butter, 1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- Bake for 15 – 20 minutes. Check after 15 minutes. The divan should be bubbly and lightly browned.
- Serve and enjoy.
Equipment
Would you like to save this recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Don't worry, I promise not to spam you.
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
Helpful tips
- Steam the broccoli until it’s slightly tender but still firm. Five minutes is perfect for that bright green, crisp-tender texture. Over-steaming will make it mushy once it bakes.
- Use cooked chicken that’s still moist. If you’re working with leftovers, add a splash of chicken broth to keep them from drying out. I used chicken breasts I’d saved from making my whole chicken soup.
- Make sure your soup mixture isn’t too thick before baking. The half cup of milk should loosen it up, but add more if needed to keep the sauce creamy. If you love a really saucy Chicken Divan, use two cans of cream of broccoli soup and double the milk.
- Grate your own cheese if you can. Pre-grated cheese has anti-caking agents that can mess with how smoothly it melts. Freshly grated cheese gives you that even, creamy melt.
- Good-quality breadcrumbs make a difference in both texture and flavor. Sprinkling panko over melted butter keeps the topping crunchy without drying it out.
- Start checking around the 15-minute mark. You’re looking for a golden-brown top and bubbling sauce. Every oven runs a little differently, so adjust the time as needed.
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste. Want more heat? Add extra chipotle powder. Prefer a herby note? Toss in some thyme or parsley.
- Use high-quality ingredients, especially for the cheese and cream of broccoli soup. It really does make a difference.
- I don’t add any salt to this recipe since the canned soup and cheese already have plenty.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Mention us @DishesDelish or tag us using #DishesDelish so we can see your creations! You can also leave a comment below!
Originally published in December 2023.
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
My grandkids love chicken, and I am always on the hunt for new recipes. This was fantastic. Perfect for an easy meal.
Thanks so much, Gloria!! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
This has everything you need for the perfect casserole recipe! Chicken, broccoli, gruyere cheese..it just doesn’t get better than this!
Thanks so much, Leslie! I appreciate it.
This chicken divan was the perfect use of a store brought rotisserie chicken. It was super filling and there was enough for some tasty leftovers.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Sharon. Thank you for letting me know.
This chicken divan is such a family friendly recipe. My kids loved the combination of chicken, cheese and broccoli ad the crunch of the breadcrumbs on top – a winner for us!
I’m so glad, Lauren. We love it as well! Thanks for your comment!
I had a can of broccoli soup that needed to be used up and I’m so glad I went with this recipe! It was fantastic and the best comfort food. Thanks!
I’m so glad, Erin! I love when that happens!
I made this and it was tasty. This is also prefect for my friends group when we have potlucks. They love chicken and makes enough for all of them to have some leftovers.
That’s great, Sean! Thanks.
This is the perfect comfort meal. The cognac cheese sauce is delicious with the chicken.
Thank you so much, Katie! I appreciate your comment.
Such a comfort food classic recipe! It’s so easy yet so delicious! It reminds me of “home”.
Thank you, Lori!
This is a delicious recipe. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Ramona!