Chicken Divan Casserole

Chicken Divan Casserole is the kind of dish that brings you right back to Sunday suppers and potluck dinners where everyone came back for seconds. This creamy, comforting classic layers tender broccoli and juicy chicken under a blanket of rich, velvety sauce and golden, buttery breadcrumbs.

Love More Chicken Recipes? Try My Sun Dried Tomato Chicken or this Classic Chicken Tetrazzini next.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It comes together in just 45 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy weeknights when you need something hearty and satisfying
• Uses simple pantry staples and ingredients you probably already have on hand
• The creamy, dreamy sauce paired with that crunchy breadcrumb topping hits all the right texture notes
• It’s the ultimate leftover makeover, turns yesterday’s chicken into tonight’s family favorite
• Freezes beautifully, so you can make two and save one

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Base:

• 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen broccoli florets (or about 4 cups fresh broccoli, cooked and chopped)
• 1 1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken is your best friend here)

For the Creamy Sauce:

• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of broccoli soup
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise (don’t skimp—it adds richness)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (fresh is best, but bottled works)

For the Topping:

• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (sharp Cheddar gives the best flavor)
• 1/3 cup dried bread crumbs (panko makes it extra crispy)
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Why These Ingredients Work

The double soup combination is the secret to that restaurant-quality creaminess without spending an hour making béchamel from scratch. The cream of broccoli and cream of chicken work together like best friends, creating depth and body that coats every bite. Mayonnaise might seem unusual, but it adds a subtle tang and extra richness that makes the sauce impossibly smooth. That splash of lemon juice brightens everything up and keeps the dish from feeling too heavy.

The frozen broccoli is actually a blessing in disguise because it releases just the right amount of moisture as it bakes, keeping the casserole from drying out. Cheddar cheese melts into pockets of gooey goodness, while those buttered breadcrumbs toast up golden and crunchy on top, giving you that perfect contrast between creamy and crispy in every forkful.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Medium mixing bowl
• Whisk or wooden spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Small bowl for breadcrumb mixture

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F and give your 9×13-inch baking dish a light spray or butter. This is your moment to get everything ready while the oven warms up.

Step 2: Create Your Broccoli Base

Spread those frozen broccoli florets evenly across the bottom of your baking dish. No need to thaw them first—they’ll cook perfectly in the oven and release just enough moisture to keep everything tender.

Step 3: Add the Chicken Layer

Scatter your cubed chicken evenly over the broccoli. Try to keep the pieces about the same size so every serving gets a good chicken-to-broccoli ratio.

Step 4: Mix Your Magic Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together both condensed soups, mayonnaise, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. It should look thick but pourable, like a really luxurious gravy.

Step 5: Pour and Spread

Pour that gorgeous sauce right over your chicken and broccoli, using a spoon to spread it evenly and make sure it reaches all the corners. You want every piece covered in that creamy goodness.

Step 6: Shower with Cheese

Sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese evenly over the top. This creates little melty pockets of cheesy heaven throughout the casserole.

Step 7: Add the Crunchy Crown

In a small bowl, toss your breadcrumbs with the melted butter until they’re evenly coated. Sprinkle this mixture over everything like you’re adding the final touch to a masterpiece.

Step 8: Bake to Bubbly Perfection

Slide your casserole into the oven and bake for 40 minutes. You’re looking for bubbling around the edges and golden-brown breadcrumbs on top.

You Must Know

Don’t overbake this casserole or you’ll end up with dried-out chicken and rubbery broccoli. Set a timer for 35 minutes and check it—if the edges are bubbling and the top is golden, it’s done. The internal temperature should hit 165°F if you want to be precise.

If your breadcrumbs are browning too quickly but the casserole isn’t hot enough yet, tent it loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes. This keeps the topping from burning while the inside finishes heating through.

Personal Secret: I always let my casserole rest for 5 minutes after it comes out of the oven. This gives the sauce time to thicken up slightly and makes serving so much cleaner. Plus, it saves burned tongues at the dinner table.

Pro Tips & Cooking Hacks

Mix in a teaspoon of curry powder to the sauce for that classic Chicken Divan twist that some folks swear by. It adds warmth and a subtle exotic note that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.

For an even creamier casserole, stir in 1/4 cup of sour cream or cream cheese to the soup mixture. It makes the sauce extra velvety and adds a nice tang.

Use kitchen shears to cut your chicken into cubes right in the measuring cup. It’s faster than using a cutting board and knife, and there’s less cleanup.

If you’re making this ahead, assemble everything except the breadcrumb topping, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Add the breadcrumbs right before baking so they stay crispy.

Don’t have cream of broccoli soup? Use two cans of cream of chicken or swap one for cream of mushroom. The casserole will still be delicious, just slightly different in flavor.

Flavor Variations & Suggestions

Turn this into Chicken Divan Rice Bake by spreading 2 cups of cooked white or brown rice in the bottom of the dish before adding the broccoli. It stretches the recipe and makes it even heartier for hungry families.

Swap the Cheddar for Swiss or Gruyere cheese for a more sophisticated, nutty flavor that feels a little fancy. Pepper Jack adds a nice kick if your family likes things spicy.

Add a cup of sliced mushrooms to the broccoli layer for extra earthiness and nutrition. Sauté them first in a little butter so they don’t release too much water into the casserole.

Mix in 1/2 cup of cooked, crumbled bacon for a smoky twist that makes this feel even more indulgent. Everything’s better with bacon, right?

For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise and reduced-fat soup. You’ll lose a bit of richness, but it still tastes wonderful and cuts the calories significantly.

Make-Ahead Options

Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours ahead, cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and refrigerate. Add about 10 extra minutes to the baking time since it’s going into the oven cold.

This casserole freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Assemble it in a freezer-safe dish, wrap it really well in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze unbaked. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.

You can also freeze individual portions in small containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes until heated through.

Leftover baked casserole keeps in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container. The breadcrumbs won’t stay as crispy, but the flavor is still fantastic.

What to Serve With Chicken Divan Casserole

A simple green salad with Italian dressing cuts through the richness perfectly and adds freshness to the plate. Toss in some cherry tomatoes and cucumber for crunch.

Buttery dinner rolls or garlic bread are perfect for soaking up every bit of that creamy sauce. You don’t want to leave any behind.

Roasted or mashed potatoes turn this into a full comfort-food feast. The casserole is rich enough that simple, buttery potatoes are all you need.

Serve with cranberry sauce on the side for a sweet-tart contrast that reminds you of Thanksgiving dinner. It’s surprisingly delicious with the creamy chicken and broccoli.

A crisp white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio pairs beautifully, or keep it casual with iced tea or lemonade.

Allergy Information

This recipe contains dairy (cheese, butter, cream soup), eggs (in the mayonnaise), and gluten (breadcrumbs, soup thickeners). It’s not suitable for anyone with these allergies without modifications.

For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free cream soup alternatives, vegan mayonnaise, and dairy-free cheese shreds. Nutritional yeast mixed into the sauce adds a cheesy flavor without actual cheese.

Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free cream soups, gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers, and ensuring your mayonnaise is certified gluten-free.

For egg-free, swap the mayonnaise for vegan mayo or use additional cream soup thinned with a bit of chicken broth.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The breadcrumb topping will soften, but the flavor stays delicious.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until heated through. For larger portions, reheat covered in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes.

If you want to crisp up the breadcrumb topping again, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of reheating. You can also run it under the broiler for a minute or two, but watch it carefully.

Frozen casserole should be thawed in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. You can bake it from frozen, but add 30-40 minutes to the cooking time and cover with foil until the last 15 minutes.

Questions I Get Asked A Lot

What if I don’t have cream of broccoli soup?

No problem at all! Use two cans of cream of chicken soup, or swap in cream of mushroom or cream of celery. The casserole will taste slightly different but equally delicious. Some folks actually prefer it without the cream of broccoli.

Why is my casserole watery?

This usually happens when frozen broccoli isn’t drained well enough after baking, or if fresh broccoli wasn’t dried properly. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking so the sauce can thicken. Next time, you can also thaw and drain frozen broccoli before using it.

How do I keep the breadcrumbs from getting soggy?

Always add the buttered breadcrumbs right before baking, never ahead of time. The butter creates a barrier that helps them stay crispy. If reheating, pop the casserole under the broiler for a minute to re-crisp the top.

💬 Tried this recipe? Leave a comment and rating below! I’d love to hear how your Chicken Divan turned out and if you added any special twists of your own. Did it bring back memories of family dinners?