Chicken Divan
This Chicken Divan takes tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a luxuriously creamy sauce to create a casserole that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
The magic happens when the buttery Ritz cracker topping gets golden and crispy, while underneath, a blanket of melted cheddar cheese hugs every bite of perfectly cooked chicken and bright green broccoli. This isn’t just dinner – it’s a hug in casserole form.
Ingredients
For the Base:
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt/pepper to taste
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 stick celery, diced
- 4 cups broccoli florets (about ½ lb.)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
For the Sauce:
- 10.5 oz. cream of chicken soup
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- 2½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
For the Topping:
- ½ cup crushed Ritz crackers
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
Steps
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Position rack in center of oven for even heating.
- Cut chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper. Pro tip: Uniform sizes ensure even cooking.
- In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, melt 2 Tablespoons butter. Add chicken, onions, and celery, tossing to coat. Sauté for 3 minutes until chicken is opaque on outside but not fully cooked. Add broccoli and 1 Tablespoon olive oil. The oil prevents the butter from burning.
- Continue cooking for 3-5 minutes until chicken is just cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C)). Remove from heat immediately to prevent overcooking.
- Stir in cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, seasonings, and 1¼ cups cheese until well combined. The mixture should be creamy but not too thick – it will thicken more during baking.
- Transfer to a lightly greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese, spreading evenly.
- Cover with foil (not touching cheese) and bake for 20 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 400°F (204°C).
- Mix melted butter with crushed crackers until evenly coated. Sprinkle over casserole and bake uncovered for 8-10 minutes until topping is golden brown and edges are bubbling.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving over rice, biscuits, or mashed potatoes. This allows the sauce to set up properly.
