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This classic Chicken Divan recipe is made with chicken, broccoli, and a creamy sauce, topped with Ritz crackers, and baked until golden brown. It’s easy to make and perfect for a weeknight meal.
Chicken Divan
This easy chicken divan recipe begins with seasoning chicken cubes with a flavorful mix then combined with broccoli, canned soups, sour cream, milk, and lemon juice. Topped with more cheese and butter crackers, then you place it in the oven to bake to perfection!
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Ingredients:
- Cream of Broccoli Cheese Soup: This soup forms the base of the creamy sauce and provides a rich and savory flavor. Substitution: You can use cream or broccoli soup, homemade cream of mushroom soup, or homemade broccoli Cheese Soup.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Like the cream of mushroom soup, it adds to the creamy sauce, giving this dish a comforting texture.
- Sour Cream: Sour cream adds a tangy creaminess to the sauce, balancing the richness. Substitution: Greek yogurt or plain yogurt can be used if you’d like a healthier alternative.
- Milk: Milk helps to thin the sauce. Substitution: You can use heavy cream, almond milk, soy milk, or even chicken broth for a dairy-free option.
- Cheddar Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese brings cheesy goodness to the casserole, creating an ooey gooey texture. Substitution: Swiss, parmesan cheese, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack cheese can be used for a different cheese flavor.
- Ritz Crackers: Crushed Ritz crackers are used for the crunchy topping, creating a satisfying contrast to the creamy filling. Substitution: breadcrumbs, Panko breadcrumbs, or crushed croutons are good alternatives to use.
- Olive Oil: Used for greasing the baking dish, olive oil makes sure the casserole doesn’t stick and provides a subtle, savory flavor.
- Chicken: Chicken provides a hearty protein source for this dish. Substitution: You can use leftover rotisserie chicken, pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken, chicken thighs, or even turkey for a twist.
- Broccoli Florets: Broccoli not only adds a burst of color but also provides nutrition to the casserole. Substitution: Cauliflower florets, asparagus, green beans.
- Lemon Juice: A touch of lemon juice brightens the flavors, and cuts through the richness of the creamy sauce.
Instructions:
Season the bite-size pieces of chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, curry powder, salt, and pepper. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chicken cubes until they are slightly browned and cooked through.
In a mixing bowl, stir together the canned soups, sour cream, milk, lemon juice, steamed broccoli, and cooked chicken. Add 1 1/2 cups of cheese to the chicken mixture and combine.
What kind of broccoli should I use?
You can use both fresh and frozen broccoli for Chicken Divan. If you are using fresh broccoli, be sure to cut it into florets. Steam the broccoli before adding it to the mixture.
Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the chicken casserole mixture. Finally, top with crumbled Ritz crackers. Bake the casserole uncovered until the crackers turn golden brown.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Simply assemble the casserole, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and put it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake it, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
Freezer Recipe
Assemble the casserole, cover it with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze it for up to 2-3 months. When you are ready to cook it, thaw it overnight in the fridge and then bake it according to the recipe instructions.
More Chicken Dinner Recipes
Chicken Divan Recipe
Chicken Divan Recipe
Equipment
- 8×8-inch baking dish
- mixing bowls
- skillet
- Cooking spray
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of broccoli cheese soup
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray or brush an 8×8-inch casserole dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Season your chicken cubes with garlic powder, onion powder, curry powder, salt, and pepper, and combine so that the cubes are fully coated with this seasoning.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chicken cubes until they are slightly browned and cooked through. This will take about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add in the fresh broccoli and boil them until they are fork-tender. This will take about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, stir together the canned soups, sour cream, milk, lemon juice, and the cooked chicken from Step 3, along with the broccoli florets, until combined.
- Add 1½ cups of cheese to the mixing bowl and combine.
- Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish.
- Add crumbled Ritz crackers on top.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the casserole mixture. Feel free to add more if you like.
- Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven at 350℉ for 30-35 minutes until the Ritz crackers turn golden brown and the casserole is hot and bubbly.
- Let your chicken broccoli casserole sit for 8-10 minutes before serving. This dish can be served alone, with dinner rolls and a green salad, or over rice!
