This chicken divan casserole is a delightful twist on the classic comfort food, featuring tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and a creamy cheese sauce, topped with a crunchy breadcrumb layer. It’s a great option for busy weeknights and unexpected guests.
This Chicken Divan Casserole recipe solves issues of simplicity and flavor often faced by home cooks seeking comforting and quick dinner options.
I’ve often faced the challenge of preparing meals that please everyone at my table, especially with different dietary needs to consider. This dish helps cut down on prep time while delivering a satisfying meal that’s sure to please both kids and adults alike.
What I love about this recipe is how quick and simple it is, prep takes just about 10 minutes, and you can bake it in about 30 minutes. It’s a solid choice when time is tight, but you still want to serve up something comforting and filling.
If you’re a fan of quick and hearty meals, you’ll want to check out my broccolini frittata. It’s another easy dish that makes use of fresh veggies and is perfect for any time of day!
Table of contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Comfort Food Classic , This chicken divan casserole brings warmth to the table with its creamy chicken mixture and tender broccoli. It’s that cozy meal that makes any weeknight feel special.
- Simple Preparation , With just a 10-minute prep time, you can have this dish in the oven without fuss. Just dump the ingredients in, and let the oven do the work while you unwind!
- Long-Lasting Freshness , Not only does this casserole heat through quickly, but it also keeps well as leftovers. You’ll enjoy satisfying portions that can easily be reheated for tasty meals throughout the week.
- Flexible Ingredients , Feel free to switch things up! This recipe lends itself to various ingredient swaps, whether you want to use fresh broccoli or different cheese options for a unique flavor boost.
Dump and Bake Chicken Divan Casserole
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cool Time:
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
Classic chicken divan casserole with broccoli, creamy chicken sauce and cheddar, topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
- 4 cups (approx. 560g) cooked chicken, boneless, skinless breasts
- 24 ounces (680g) frozen broccoli florets, thawed or fresh parboiled
- 2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup (120ml) mayonnaise, full-fat
- 1/4 cup (60ml) white wine
- 11/2 teaspoon (5ml) lemon juice
- 1/2 cup (50g) grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (50g) panko breadcrumbs, unseasoned
- 1 tablespoon (15g) salted butter, melted
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Step 2: Spread the cooked chicken and broccoli evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Distribute uniformly for consistent cooking and flavor in every bite. Season lightly with salt and pepper if desired.
- Step 3: In a bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, white wine, and lemon juice. Stir well to create a creamy mixture. Taste and add additional salt and pepper as preferred.
- Step 4: Evenly pour the soup mixture over the chicken and broccoli layers. Use a spatula to spread it out, ensuring full coverage to meld flavors while baking.
- Step 5: Sprinkle the grated sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the soup mixture. Uniform distribution will provide a consistent, melty cheese layer.
- Step 6: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with the panko breadcrumbs until crumbs are well coated. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cheese layer to form a crunchy topping.
- Step 7: Place the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown. Visual cues of doneness include bubbling edges and a nicely browned top.
Notes
- Storage Tips – Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keep covered to prevent drying.
- Storage Tips – Refrigeration: Use an airtight container and refrigerate at 40 degrees F or below for up to 5 days. Always reheat thoroughly before serving.
- Storage Tips – Freezing: Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Expert Tips – If the casserole appears too dry during baking, add 1/4 cup (60ml) chicken broth about 15 minutes into cooking and continue baking.
- Expert Tips – To achieve a browner topping, switch on the broiler for 4 minutes at the end of baking. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Expert Tips – Check broccoli tenderness about 20 minutes into baking. If still firm, extend baking 10 minutes until tender.
- Expert Tips – Ensure even cheese distribution immediately after spreading the soup mixture to avoid patchy coverage.
- Expert Tips – If the casserole is watery after baking, let it rest for 5 minutes to thicken before serving.
- Serving Suggestions – Serve alongside quinoa or brown rice for a substantial meal.
- Serving Suggestions – Pair with a mixed greens salad or roasted Brussels sprouts for balanced sides.
- Serving Suggestions – Use leftovers to make wraps with gluten-free tortillas or serve on sauteed spinach.
- Serving Suggestions – Fill baked potatoes or stuffed bell peppers with casserole for a filling variation.
- Serving Suggestions – Add toppings such as a drizzle of ranch dressing, crushed red pepper flakes, lemon zest, or fresh parsley for added flavor and brightness.
- Recipe Variations – Substitute cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom soup for a different flavor profile.
- Recipe Variations – Swap mayonnaise with plain yogurt to lighten the dish.
- Recipe Variations – Replace white wine with chicken broth or omit entirely for a non-alcoholic version.
- Recipe Variations – Use fresh broccoli instead of frozen; blanch briefly before adding.
- Recipe Variations – Try different cheeses like Gruyere or Monterey Jack in place of cheddar for taste variations.
- Recipe Variations – Replace panko breadcrumbs with crushed crackers if desired.
- Recipe Variations – Use olive oil instead of butter for topping to create a dairy-free version.
- Ingredient Notes – Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts for even cooking and juicy texture.
- Ingredient Notes – Fresh broccoli florets are preferred; look for vibrant green color and firm texture. Frozen florets must be thawed first.
- Ingredient Notes – Use good quality condensed cream of chicken soup. Homemade cream soups allow control over ingredients and flavor.
- Ingredient Notes – Full-fat mayonnaise provides richness and helps bind ingredients well.
- Ingredient Notes – Grate cheese freshly to ensure best melting and texture; pre-shredded may be rubbery.
- Ingredient Notes – Select unseasoned panko breadcrumbs for a clean, crispy top.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: Go for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They cook evenly and stay juicy, making them perfect for this casserole.
- Broccoli florets: Fresh florets work best. Look for vibrant green color and firm texture. Frozen florets can also work in a pinch; just thaw them first.
- Cream of chicken soup: Use a good quality, canned cream of chicken soup for creaminess and flavor. Homemade is great too if you want to control the ingredients.
- Mayonnaise: Choose a creamy, full-fat mayonnaise to keep the casserole rich. It adds moisture and helps bind everything together.
- Cheddar cheese: Shredded sharp cheddar adds a nice flavor punch. Opt for freshly shredded cheese for better melting and texture; pre-shredded can be a bit rubbery.
- Panko bread crumbs: These add a crispy topping! Look for unseasoned panko to keep flavors clean, or use crushed crackers as a substitute if needed.
- Chicken breasts: Go for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They cook evenly and stay juicy, making them perfect for this casserole.
- Broccoli florets: Fresh florets work best. Look for vibrant green color and firm texture. Frozen florets can also work in a pinch; just thaw them first.
- Cream of chicken soup: Use a good quality, canned cream of chicken soup for creaminess and flavor. Homemade is great too if you want to control the ingredients.
- Mayonnaise: Choose a creamy, full-fat mayonnaise to keep the casserole rich. It adds moisture and helps bind everything together.
- Cheddar cheese: Shredded sharp cheddar adds a nice flavor punch. Opt for freshly shredded cheese for better melting and texture; pre-shredded can be a bit rubbery.
- Panko bread crumbs: These add a crispy topping! Look for unseasoned panko to keep flavors clean, or use crushed crackers as a substitute if needed.
Recipe Tips
- If the casserole appears too dry, mix in an additional one-quarter cup of chicken broth 15 minutes into baking.
- When the topping isn’t browning, switch on the broiler for 3-5 minutes at the end of baking, monitoring closely to prevent burning.
- If your broccoli isn’t tender, check for doneness 20 minutes into baking; extend cooking by another 5-10 minutes as needed.
- For uneven distribution of cheese, ensure an even sprinkle right after pouring the soup mixture over the chicken and broccoli.
- If the casserole is watery, allow it to sit for 5 minutes after baking to help the mixture thicken before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve chicken divan casserole alongside quinoa or brown rice for a hearty meal. A mixed greens salad or roasted Brussels sprouts also pairs nicely.
Use chicken divan casserole to make wraps with gluten-free tortillas or serve it on a bed of sautéed spinach. You can add it to baked potatoes or load it into a stuffed bell pepper for a filling variation.
Top with a drizzle of homemade ranch dressing or sprinkle with crushed red pepper for a kick. You can also add lemon zest or fresh parsley for brightness on each serving.
Recipe variations
- You can use cooked chicken breasts, thighs, or rotisserie chicken as the base for this chicken divan casserole, making it easy to work with whatever is on hand.
- Add ½ cup of mayonnaise and 2 (10.5 ounce) cans of condensed cream of chicken soup to the sauce mix for creaminess, alongside ¼ cup white wine and 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
- Either frozen broccoli florets or fresh broccoli, steamed until tender, can be arranged with the chicken before adding the sauce and cheese layers, for flavor and texture variety.
- If making for a larger group, double the recipe by using an 18 x 13-inch baking dish and increase baking time to 35, 40 minutes to ensure it is heated through.
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How to Store?
To keep your chicken divan casserole fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Place in an airtight container and store at room temperature up to 2 days. Keep covered to avoid drying out.
Refrigeration: Use an airtight container and refrigerate at 40°F or below for up to 5 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
Freezing: Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and place in a freezer container. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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