Description
Chicken Divan Casserole is a comforting baked dish that combines tender steamed broccoli, succulent cooked chicken, and a creamy cheese sauce made with cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Topped with buttery breadcrumbs for a crispy finish, this casserole is perfect for a cozy family dinner or meal prep, providing a delicious balance of flavors and textures in about 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 pound fresh broccoli, chopped into bite-sized pieces
Cheese and Dairy
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- â…“ cup milk
- â…“ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Pantry
- 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
Protein
- 2 ½ cups cubed cooked chicken
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Steam Broccoli: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 2-quart (8×8-inch) casserole dish to prevent sticking. Boil a pot of water and cook the broccoli until it becomes tender-crisp. Drain the broccoli thoroughly to remove any excess water.
- Make Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup, ½ cup of Monterey Jack cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, sour cream, whole grain mustard, garlic powder, and ground black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Gently fold in the steamed broccoli and cubed cooked chicken into the cheese sauce mixture, making sure everything is evenly coated without breaking up the broccoli too much.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the broccoli and chicken mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining Monterey Jack cheese over the top. In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with melted butter, then evenly sprinkle this mixture over the casserole to create a golden, crispy topping. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and the breadcrumb topping turns golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Serve the Chicken Divan casserole hot, either on its own or over a bed of rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes for a heartier meal.
Notes
- Ensure broccoli is well-drained before mixing to avoid a watery casserole.
- You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken to save time.
- For a lower-fat version, use low-fat cheese and sour cream.
- Breadcrumb topping adds a nice texture; for gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat beautifully.
