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Delicious Chicken Divan Casserole

Category: Meals for Every Occasion

This baked dish features chicken, broccoli, and a creamy, cheesy sauce with crispy crackers—a comforting crowd-pleaser.
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Clare Greco
Updated on Fri, 20 Jun 2025 15:37:56 GMT
Cheesy Chicken Divan with Broccoli Save
Cheesy Chicken Divan with Broccoli | homebitesbyana.com

This chicken divan is my back-pocket meal for busy weeknights. I wanted something everyone would eat but that wouldn't keep me stuck at the stove all night. Juicy chunks of chicken, barely-tender broccoli, and that silky, cheesy sauce under a crunchy Ritz cracker topping are the secret to a meal that looks fancy but is easy. I found this trick when I needed my kids to stop whining about broccoli, and honestly, covering veggies with cheese sauce and buttery crackers turned them into fans right away.

My daughter usually avoids anything green, but she actually asked for more with this one. She thought the broccoli "tastes like cheese" and wanted to know why we don't always do veggies this way. Now it's our go-to Sunday night dinner, everyone leaves their plate clean.

Irresistible Ingredients

  • Crushed Ritz crackers: Buttery, crispy bits make this special on top
  • Sharp cheddar cheese: Strong cheesy vibes in every bite
  • Two cream soups: Both chicken and broccoli cheese blended for that luscious base
  • Curry powder: Tiny spoonful packs big flavor without being weird
  • Fresh broccoli florets: Just lightly boiled so they stay bright and crispish
  • Chicken breast cubes: Cut small so they cook fast and soak up spices
Chicken Divan Save
Chicken Divan | homebitesbyana.com

How To Pull It Off

Pulling it together:
Grease your 8x8 pan and set it aside. Dump in your broccoli, chicken, and sauce mix. Sprinkle with extra cheddar and blanket everything in cracker crumbs. Pop into a 350°F oven for half an hour or so until bubbly and golden.
Mix up the sauce:
Stir sour cream, lemon juice, milk, both canned soups together until smooth, and add the cooked chicken cubes with broccoli. Mix in about one and a half cups of shredded cheddar.
Get the chicken ready:
Chop chicken breasts into little cubes and toss them with curry, salt, pepper, garlic and onion powders. Make sure the seasoning covers every bit, because that's your flavor booster.
Quick cooking:
Sauté the chicken chunks in a big skillet until they're browned and done, about 5 to 7 minutes. At the same time, cook the broccoli in boiling water for 5 minutes to keep that crunch.

I figured out after a few tries that timing the broccoli is everything. If you boil it too long, it becomes mush when you bake it. Now I stop at just tender and get perfect results every time.

Awesome Ways To Serve

It's plenty on its own, but spoon some over fluffy rice or scoop with a dinner roll if you want to stretch it. I like a green salad on the side to keep things fresh against the creamy bite. Try it with a glass of chilled white wine or a cold glass of iced tea for the best match.

Switch It Up

Swap out broccoli for asparagus or cauliflower to keep things interesting. Sometimes I throw in water chestnuts or mushrooms for a bit of crunch. For extra fancy flavor, try Swiss or Gruyere cheese instead of cheddar. It can handle almost any spin you want.

Leftover Game

This one lives happily in the fridge for up to 4 days—actually gets even tastier as it sits and the flavors deepen. Microwave a bowl when you need a quick lunch or gently heat the whole pan at 350°F until hot if you're serving again.

Chicken Divan Save
Chicken Divan | homebitesbyana.com

This chicken divan is the kind of dinner that makes any night feel a little special. No fancy skills needed. Homey flavors piled together in a bubbly baking dish make both kids and grown-ups smile. Sometimes the greatest comfort comes from the simplest stuff we already have in the kitchen.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I swap fresh broccoli for frozen?
Of course! Use around 3 cups of frozen florets, but make sure to thaw and drain them first. They're pre-cooked, so boiling isn’t needed.
→ What can I use instead of canned cream soups?
Whip up a homemade sauce using butter, flour, and broth, or blend cream cheese with some chicken broth for a creamy option.
→ Is it possible to prepare this ahead of time?
Sure thing! Assemble it, cover, and refrigerate up to a day in advance. Just add about 5-10 extra minutes to bake time.
→ How will I know when it’s ready?
It should be bubbling at the edges, with the crackers on top golden. Use a thermometer to check that it’s at least 165°F inside.
→ What sides work with this dish?
Pair it with rice, bread rolls, salads, or roasted veggies. You could also just eat it alone—it’s super filling!

Chicken Divan Dish

A creamy, hearty mix of chicken and broccoli, layered with cheese and crunchy cracker topping. Perfect comfort food!

Prep Time
15 min
Cooking Time
30 min
Total Time
45 min
By: Ana

Category: Lunch & Dinner

Skill Level: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yields: 6 Servings

Dietary Preferences: ~

Ingredients

→ Protein & Vegetables

01 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
02 2 pounds chicken breasts, no skin or bones, diced into small cubes

→ Seasonings

03 1 teaspoon curry powder
04 1 teaspoon onion powder
05 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 ¼ teaspoon fresh black pepper
07 ½ teaspoon salt

→ Creamy Sauce Base

08 ½ cup sour cream
09 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
10 1 can (10.5 oz) broccoli cheese soup
11 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
12 ¼ cup whole milk

→ Toppings

13 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
14 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
15 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking

Steps

Step 01

Turn your oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8x8 baking dish by spraying cooking spray or lightly brushing with olive oil.

Step 02

Dice chicken into small chunks. Mix them with the garlic, onion, and curry powders, then add the salt and pepper until they're all covered evenly.

Step 03

Warm up a large skillet to medium heat. Sauté the chicken 5-7 minutes, flipping a few times, until it's browned all over and fully cooked. Place it on a plate when done.

Step 04

Boil a pot of water and toss in the broccoli florets. Let them cook for around 5 minutes so they're tender but stay firm. Drain and leave to cool a bit.

Step 05

Stir together the two soups, sour cream, milk, and lemon juice in a big bowl. Keep mixing until it's smooth.

Step 06

Add the cooked chicken, broccoli, and 1½ cups of cheese into the creamy sauce. Fold it all together so it’s well-coated.

Step 07

Spread the chicken-broccoli mixture evenly into your baking dish. Scatter the Ritz cracker crumbs on top, then sprinkle the last ½ cup of cheese over everything.

Step 08

Put it in the oven and bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until bubbly at the edges and the crackers turn a nice golden color.

Step 09

Let it sit for about 8-10 minutes so everything firms up, then serve it on its own or over rice with a quick green salad.

Notes

  1. Avoid overcooking your broccoli. It’ll finish cooking in the oven.
  2. You can prepare the whole dish ahead of time, cover, and keep it in the fridge until ready to bake.
  3. Leftovers stay good in the refrigerator for 3 days max.
  4. Works great as a standalone meal or served with rice and rolls.

Required Equipment

  • Square 8x8 baking dish
  • Big bowl for mixing
  • Skillet for cooking chicken
  • Pot to cook broccoli
  • Cooking spray or some oil

Allergen Information

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if needed.
  • Includes gluten from Ritz crackers.
  • Made with dairy ingredients like cheese, sour cream, and the soup base.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

These details are for informational purposes only and don’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 485
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Carbs: 18 g
  • Protein: 42 g