Chicken Divan is a total comfort food powerhouse! Tender broccoli and succulent chicken mix with a creamy sauce and tangy cheese for a meal that's sure to become a family favorite!
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This chicken divan curry casserole recipe is one of my all time favorite meals. My mom made it when I was a kid, and to this day, it's still the meal I make when I'm feeling a little homesick.
It's super easy to make, and the recipe makes a TON, so it's great for leftovers too! There are quite a few versions out there that tout "no canned soups", but to me, the canned soup and mayo are what totally makes this dish special!
While I truly love a Mornay sauce, it's cream of mushroom soup for this classic chicken divan recipe!
Other Comfort Food Recipes You'll Love
Rich and creamy Buttermilk Chive Mashed Potatoes aren't just for Thanksgiving you know! Elevate a Sunday supper with this classic favorite!
If you're looking for something a little more special but also comforting, look no further than Mushroom Gruyere Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. Crispy bread, gooey cheese, and savory mushrooms are always a hit!
And for me, it doesn't get much better (or more comforting) than this Sausage, Onion and Potato Sheet Pan Supper. It's so easy to make and it's always delicious!
Ingredient List
- Cooked Chicken - I usually use leftover rotisserie chicken, but you can use chicken breasts, or chicken thighs. (this dish is a great way to use leftover chicken).
- Cooked Broccoli - you can use fresh broccoli if you like - I prefer frozen broccoli.
- Mayonnaise - some people prefer sour cream, but I've always liked the creaminess of the mayonnaise
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Cream of chicken soup
- Curry Powder (technically optional, but it's not the same without it)
- Lemon Juice
- Cheddar Cheese
- Butter
- Panko Bread Crumbs (some people use crushed Ritz crackers - I prefer breadcrumbs)
- Egg Noodles
Full quantities can be found in the recipe card below.
To Cook the Chicken: if I'm going to make my own chicken from scratch for this meal, I will usually poach the chicken. To do this, fill a large pot with water. Season the water with lots of salt and pepper, a bay leaf, and add half a sliced onion to the water as well. Bring the water to a boil.
Add the raw chicken (breasts preferred) and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the breasts are cooked through. Cut one in half or use a thermometer to check for doneness. Remove the cooked chicken from the water, and allow to cool. Once cool, use two forks to shred the meat.
To cook the broccoli: If you're using fresh broccoli (use frozen - it's easier) then cut the broccoli florets into bite size pieces and then steam the broccoli in a steamer basket over a pot of just boiling water for 5-8 minutes or until easily pierced with the tip of a knife.
How Do I Make Chicken Divan
- In a large bowl, stir together 1 cup mayonnaise, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, curry powder, lemon juice, and a pinch of kosher salt and black pepper.
- In an empty casserole dish, add the cooked broccoli, then top with the cooked chicken.
- Spread the sauce over the chicken.
- Top the sauce with cheese.
- In a small bowl, melt the butter, then add the breadcrumbs to the melted butter and stir to combine. Top the cheese layer with the breadcrumbs.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. Breadcrumbs should be golden brown on top of the melted cheese.
Substitutions, Alterations and Additions
As I mentioned above, some people prefer sour cream to mayo, but I've never made the casserole that way, so I can't speak to that.
- A mixture of Gruyere cheese and parmesan cheese can be used in place of cheddar cheese.
- If you want more mushrooms, you could add a can of chopped mushrooms to the sauce.
- If you're feeling extra decadent, add a handful of cheese to the sauce to make it a creamy cheese sauce.
How to serve Chicken Divan Curry Casserole
I almost always serve my chicken broccoli casserole over egg noodles, but you can also serve over:
- White Rice
- Cauliflower Rice
- Mashed Potatoes
As for a side, I feel like because of the broccoli it already comes with a side, but you could also serve it with green beans or a simple side salad.
Equipment
A baking dish: the Corningware 2.5 Quart Oval dish is the GOAT when it comes to basking casseroles.
If you're going to make the dish using fresh broccoli a Steamer Basket is a must have.
This set of Pyrex glass mixing bowls is never far from my reach, and it's what I use to make the cream sauce most times.
FAQ's
The Divan part of the dish is actually name after the restaurant that originated the dish. The Divan Parisien Restaurant at the Chatham Hotel in New York City is where the dish was originally made and served, and what gave it its name!
Absolutely. Make and assemble the chicken broccoli divan up to adding the sauce on top of the chicken. Then wrap the dish in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to three months. When ready to serve, let it defrost in the fridge for 24 hours. Then top the casserole with the cheese and breadcrumbs and bake for an hour. When cooking from cold, the casserole will need more time in the oven to come to temperature. Cover the dish lightly with foil if the breadcrumbs start to get too browned.
Yes! This is an awesome dish to make ahead. To do so, assemble the casserole up until the point of adding the breadcrumbs. Hold off on adding those until just before baking. Wrap the casserole in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and place in the fridge for up to two days. When ready to serve, uncover the dish, add the breadcrumbs and bake for 1 hour. Cover the dish with foil if the breadcrumbs get too brown.
It's not NOT healthy. There's no way this could be considered a low fat recipe, but you are getting plenty of vegetables with the broccoli and lean proteins from the chicken. If you use low-fat or low-calorie versions of the soups, that cuts considerable calories as well. This isn't an everyday meal though, and I like to go all out when I make it.
You can either reheat the casserole in the oven on 350 for 20 minutes or so, or you can microwave it. I do three minutes on half power, and then a minute on full power.
Place any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up the two days.
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Chicken Divan Curry Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 10 ounce boxes of frozen chopped broccoli
- 1 rotisserie chicken (3 cups of shredded chicken)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- Juice of half a small lemon
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons of butter melted
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 12 oz egg noodles*
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350
- Start by cooking the broccoli according to the directions on the package. For me, this usually means microwaving the bags individually, letting them cool a bit, and then chopping up the broccoli.
- Using your hands or two forks, break down the chicken and shred the meat. You can use whichever you prefer, but I tend to like a mix of dark and white meat. Altogether you want about 3 cups of chicken.
- In a large bowl, mix together the mayo, soups, lemon juice and curry powder.***
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a bowl in the microwave, or in a small saucepan on the stovetop, and then stir in the breadcrumbs.
- In a 2.5 quart casserole dish, layer the broccoli and then the chicken, and then top with the soup mixture. Add the cheese in a thin layer, and then top with the buttered breadcrumbs.
- Place the casserole dish in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.
- While the casserole is baking, boil a pot of water, and cook the noodles to package directions.
- Once the casserole is baked, serve over top of noodles.
I like your recipe. It reminds me of what my grandma used to make; easy, delicious and loved by everyone in the family. Served with some hot rolls and butter.
I'm so glad you like it!! And the recipe DID come from my grandmother originally!!