Classic Chicken Divan

Introduction

Classic Chicken Divan is an iconic casserole that beautifully layers tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and a luscious, creamy cheese sauce—all crowned with a crisp, golden breadcrumb topping. This dish delivers crowd-pleasing flavor, hearty comfort, and easy assembly, making it a go-to for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or potluck suppers.

Why Classic Chicken Divan Is a Family Favorite

This versatile recipe earns high marks for its balanced flavors, creamy richness, and ability to satisfy all ages. With minimal prep required and ingredients you’re likely to have on hand, Chicken Divan pulls together quickly but always tastes special. The creamy sauce, subtle hint of curry powder, and crunchy topping make this dish stand out in the world of casseroles.

Secrets to a Perfectly Creamy Chicken Divan

For the most sumptuous sauce, combine cream of chicken soup with tangy sour cream and sharp cheddar cheese. Blanching the broccoli beforehand ensures vibrant color and tender-crisp texture, while using pre-cooked chicken speeds everything along. Sprinkle in a touch of curry powder for an elevated, restaurant-style taste.

Building the Casserole: Layer by Layer

Start with a layer of blanched broccoli, follow with tender pieces of chicken, and pour the creamy sauce evenly over the top. Finish with shredded cheddar and a generous layer of buttery breadcrumbs. Bake until the topping is perfectly golden and bubbling for a bake everyone will devour.

Serving Suggestions for Chicken Divan

Serve your casserole hot with a side of fluffy rice, toasted garlic bread, or a crisp green salad. This dish also makes excellent leftovers—simply reheat, and the flavors become even richer.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 6 generous servings. Each portion is approximately 400-450 calories, depending on choice of cheese and use of low-fat versus regular ingredients. It’s a hearty main dish best balanced with lighter sides.

Classic Chicken Divan In Review

This classic casserole remains a top choice for busy cooks seeking maximum flavor, comfort, and convenience. Its creamy, cheesy sauce and crisp topping ensure repeat requests at every table.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli florets and blanch for 2-3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Drain and immediately rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
3. Arrange the broccoli in an even layer on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with the cooked chicken.
4. In a bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, curry powder (if using), salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken and broccoli.
5. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
6. In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs and melted butter. Mix until evenly coated, then sprinkle over the casserole.
7. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until the topping is golden and the casserole is bubbling at the edges. If desired, switch to broil for the last 2 minutes for extra browning.
8. Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve hot.

Weekly Meal Planning

Classic Chicken Divan is a meal prep superstar. Save and schedule this recipe to plan your week, and CookifyAI will generate smart shopping lists that consolidate ingredients for all upcoming meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total quantities across your recipes
• Organizes shopping lists by grocery store sections
• Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients
• Makes weekly meal prep more efficient and stress-free

Pro tip: When planning several casseroles or chicken dishes, schedule your recipes in CookifyAI—the tool will sum up all your chicken and cheese requirements, so you buy just what you need and nothing extra.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes