This easy Chicken Divan Recipe combines tender pieces of chicken and broccoli with golden brown mushrooms and shallots in a cheese sauce, all topped with a buttery cracker topping.
No Canned Soup Chicken Divan
Chicken Divan takes no time at all to whip up in just a few easy steps. If you are in a big hurry, prepare this chicken casserole a day in advance, but do not add the cracker topping. Store it covered in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, remove it from the fridge about 40 minutes prior to baking to bring it to room temperature. Then, prepare the cracker topping, sprinkle over the casserole, and bake.
It is also what I like to call a forgiving casserole in the fact that sometimes it takes this family a good forty minutes to get to the table and it tastes as good then as when I first popped it out of the oven. I am sure that if your house is anything like mine, you know exactly what a forgiving casserole is.
What is Chicken Divan
Chicken Divan is a chicken casserole dish with broccoli, shallots, and mushrooms in a creamy cheese sauce, all topped with buttery bread crumbs or crackers. Many of the quick versions of Chicken Divan call for canned soup for the creamy casserole, but this one does not. I am not fond of creamed canned soups at all.
Key Ingredients
- Chicken: boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Broccoli: fresh is best
- Mushrooms: cremini or white button
- Shallots
- Seasonings: nutmeg, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and fresh parsley
- Dairy: butter (salted or unsalted) sour cream, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese
- Ritz crackers: or other buttery crackers or breadcrumbs
How to Make Chicken Divan
Brown the chicken in a little fat in a skillet on the stovetop. Transfer to a plate. Melt butter in a skillet and cook the mushrooms and shallots. Sprinkle the flour over the top and continue cooking for a couple of minutes. Add the nutmeg and slowly stir in the milk and chicken broth. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is thickened.
Over low heat, whisk in half of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Temper the sour cream by stirring in several tablespoons of the hot sauce. Stir in the sour cream and season with salt and black pepper. Meanwhile, steam the broccoli in the microwave. Stir the cooked chicken and broccoli into the skillet to coat. Pour it into a casserole dish and top with the remaining cheese.
Melt the butter and stir in the crushed Ritz and chopped parsley. Sprinkle over the top of the casserole. Bake until the crumb topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
Tips For A Great Dish
- For best results, temper the sour cream. Stir in enough hot liquid to warm the sour cream.
- Steam the broccoli in the microwave for about 2-2 1/2 minutes. Don’t overcook it, as it will be cooked again in the oven.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat covered in the oven at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or in the microwave at reduced power.
More Delicious Casseroles
- Cowboy casserole
- Twice-baked potato casserole
- Chicken cordon bleu casserole
- Chicken broccoli rice casserole
- Cheesy pierogi casserole
- Chicken stuffing casserole
Chicken Divan
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken breast cut into bite size pieces
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 8 ounces cremini or white button mushrooms sliced
- 2 shallots sliced thin
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1-2 pinches nutmeg
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 bunch broccoli cut into bite size florets
- 2 tablespoons water
Cracker Topping
- 1/3 cup butter melted
- 1 1/4 sleeves Ritz crackers crushed
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- Optional: Cooked rice or egg noodles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 9×13 inch casserole with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter and heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook the chicken in a single layer, browning each side. Remove it to a plate. Repeat if necessary, working in batches.
- In the same skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and shallots. Cook until lightly browned, approximately 5-8 minutes.
- Sprinkle the flour over the top and continue cooking for a couple of minutes. Add the nutmeg and slowly stir in the milk and chicken broth. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is thickened.
- Reduce the heat to low, whisk in half of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Temper the sour cream by stirring in several tablespoons of the hot mixture. Stir the tempered sour cream into the cheese sauce and season with salt and black pepper.
- Add broccoli and water to a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a wet paper towel and microwave for 2 1/2 minutes or until crispy-tender. Drain well.
- Stir the cooked chicken and broccoli into the skillet to coat. Pour the mixture into a 9×13-inch casserole dish and top with the remaining cheese.
- Melt the butter and stir in the crushed Ritz crackers and chopped parsley. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. If desired, serve over rice or noodles.
Notes
- For best results, temper the sour cream. Stir in enough hot liquid to warm the sour cream.
- Steam the broccoli in the microwave for about 2-2 1/2 minutes. Don’t overcook it, as it will be cooked again in the oven.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat covered in the oven at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or in the microwave at reduced power.
Nancy K
This was a great one pot meal for amid week supper. Easy to put together and quick too. We really enjoyed it!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Nancy! I am so glad that you liked it.
Olivia Tucker
I made the chicken divan for dinner last night, and it was a huge success! The creamy sauce and tender chicken were divine. It was comforting, delicious, and super easy to make. My family loved it, and I’ll definitely be making it again.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Olivia! I am so glad that you liked it!
Angela
This is pure comfort food. The addition of the crunchy topping really elevated it as well. Reminds me of a dish that my Mum used to make. Great recipe – thanks.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Angela!
Janelle D
I can’t tell you enough how much we loved this. It got devoured, haha! Thanks!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Janelle! I am so happy that you liked it.
Sandra
First time I made this recipe and it was delicious! Perfect comfort food on busy weeknights!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Sandra! I agree!
Allyson
This is really the perfect easy dinner! Thank you for the recipe!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Allyson!
Krystle S
I can’t decide which I like more the flavorful mushrooms or this amazing cheese sauce. My family LOVES the crunchy topping too. GREAT casserole
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Krystle! So happy that you liked it!
Andrea Metlika
I’ve never had this before. It looks fantastic and I can’t wait to make it.
Neha
Such lovely flavor combinations, I can almost taste this chicken recipe! And such a great way to add broccoli to your food!
Linda
Love the sound of this easy casserole! The mushrooms and shallots are always a great addition to chicken and adding the broccoli right in means no extra veggie side dish needed. Now that’s my kind of dinner during the busy work week!
Jessica Formicola
We made this chicken for dinner last night and it was a total hit with everyone! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Jordin
My gosh! This recipe looks amazing and so delicious, I can’t wait to try it out.
Cindy Gordon
Such a warm comforting meal! I love dishes that bring home that comfort feeling! SO good any time of the year!
Paula
There’s not a single word in the first sentence that I don’t like! Gorgeous recipe and images! Sending this to my recipes to do now list.
Jennifer Stewart
Definitely not your typical casserole. That mornay sauce is calling my name.
Tisha
This chicken divan looks like the perfect dish when you are craving something comforting!