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    Grits and Pinecones » Recipes » Chicken » Easy Southern Chicken Divan Casserole Recipe

    Easy Southern Chicken Divan Casserole Recipe

    May 13, 2020 by Sharon Rigsby 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Broccoli Chicken Divan Pinterest Pin

    Easy Southern-Style Chicken Divan Casserole is an iconic, much-loved southern recipe, that has been around for decades. It’s full of crisp broccoli, tender chicken, and the most wonderful homemade cheesy sauce.  It’s easy to make and the epitome of comfort food. 

    A round white casserole dish full of chicken divan with a silver serving spoon next to i

    In fact, there was a time many years ago when this delicious casserole was served at almost every bridal or baby shower, neighborhood potluck dinner, or church supper. It was also one of the first casseroles that every young southern bride learned to make and have in their arsenal of “company” dishes.

    Here’s why you will love this recipe:

    1. I promise it’s not a stretch to call this chicken divan recipe awesome! It’s quick enough for a weeknight dinner, yet it’s an entree you would be proud to serve guests.
    2. It can be made up to a day ahead and just popped in the oven when you are ready to eat. And, this recipe with fresh broccoli is quicker and easier than ever because I use a deli roasted chicken to save time.
    3. Leftovers if you have them are just as good if not better the second day, and an unbaked casserole can be frozen for up to three months.
    4. I’m betting you haven’t heard of this old reliable and flavorful casserole in a long time, much less served it. That said, I’m hoping to change that because it is truly a tasty and easy casserole to make.  
    5. This recipe serves eight so it’s great for a crowd or a large family. However, if you have a small family like mine, it’s easy to divide up into several smaller dishes and then bake one and freeze the rest. 

    What is chicken divan?

    It’s a decadent casserole filled with succulent chicken and nutritious broccoli and blanketed in a rich cheesy bechamel sauce. And, if that isn’t enough deliciousness for you, it is then topped with crunchy panko, butter, and cheese mixture.  

    What is bechamel sauce?

    This easy broccoli chicken divan is smothered in a dreamy, creamy bechamel sauce made with sharp white cheddar cheese and tangy sour cream. Bechamel is a fancy french term for a white sauce made with a roux. It’s considered a “mother” sauce because it is the basis for so many sauces and includes butter, flour, and milk.  

    How many calories: 

    There is no getting around it, this casserole is rich and has a whopping 574 calories per serving, so it is not something you would eat every night of the week. Of course, you can keep the calorie count down by simply having a smaller portion, and it does supply almost half of your vitamin C daily requirement.

    Here’s what’s in it:

    You will need two large heads of fresh broccoli. You will also need butter, all-purpose flour, chicken broth, and white wine. In addition, you need sour cream, sharp white cheddar cheese, a deli roasted chicken, panko bread crumbs, lemon juice, and salt. Optional, curry powder.

    Chopped chicken and broccoli.

    How to make it:

    Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

    To cook the broccoli, bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat, and add two teaspoons of salt. When the water is boiling, add the broccoli and cook for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and drain. Set aside.

    Broccoli cooking in a large saucepan.

    Melt four tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. When the butter has melted, add the flour and one teaspoon salt. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.

    Add the broth and wine, whisking the mixture constantly. Cook for about three minutes or until thickened. 

    Reduce the heat to low and add the sour cream and one cup of the shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth.

    White cheese sauce cooking in a skillet for chicken divan.

    Remove the pan from the heat and add the chicken, broccoli, lemon juice, and optional curry powder. Mix well until everything is well combined. Pour this mixture into a 9×13 baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

    Chopped broccoli and chicken mixed with a white cheese sauce.

    Melt the remaining two tablespoons of butter and add it to the panko. Add the remaining one-half cup of shredded cheese. Mix well.

    How to bake it:

    Sprinkle the panko/cheese mixture evenly over the casserole. 

    Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until it is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.

    A round white casserole dish full of chicken divan with a silver serving spoon next to i

    Sharon’s Tips:

    If you would rather microwave the broccoli, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and pour 3 tablespoons of water over the top. Cover with a plate and microwave on high for 3 minutes, or until broccoli is crisp-tender. 

    The secret to a smooth creamy sauce is constant whisking. If you see lumps, keep whisking until you don’t.

    If you prefer, you can substitute chicken broth for white wine.

    I prefer fresh in this recipe, however, frozen broccoli can be substituted in a pinch. It does not need to be cooked or steamed first. Simply add it to the dish frozen and bake as directed. You will need at least 20 + ounces of frozen broccoli pieces. 

    If you prefer to cook your own chicken, here is a link to my Easy Roasted Bone-In Chicken Breast recipe. This is what I usually use. Then I save the bones to make the stock.

    If you would like to make your own chicken stock, check out my easy homemade chicken stock recipe here. It’s a great way to repurpose leftover chicken or chicken bones so nothing goes to waste. 

    Some folks like to serve this dish over rice. I usually serve it by itself with a side salad, but I wanted to give you that option. 

    Easy make-ahead casseroles to feed a crowd:

    If you like easy make-ahead casseroles as much as I do,  I know you will love these recipes: Chicken Sausage and Wild Rice Casserole, Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu, Savory Chicken Crepes with Mushrooms, Ultimate Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas, Not Your Mama’s Chicken Pot Pie, and Chicken Mushroom Marsala Pasta.

    ★ If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and give it a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!

    Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones!

    A round white casserole dish full of chicken divan with a silver serving spoon next to i
    Print Pin
    5 from 7 votes

    Easy Southern Chicken Divan Casserole

    Easy Southern-Style Chicken Divan Casserole is an iconic, much-loved southern recipe, that has been around for decades. It's full of crisp broccoli, tender chicken, and the most wonderful homemade cheesy sauce.  It's easy to make and the epitome of comfort food. 
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Southern
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 40 minutes
    Total Time 55 minutes
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 574kcal
    Author Sharon Rigsby

    Ingredients

    • 1 chicken deli-roasted, skin, and bones removed, about 3 cups chopped chicken
    • 2 large stalks broccoli cut into bite-size pieces
    • 3 tsp kosher salt divided
    • 6 Tbsp butter divided
    • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 2/3 cups chicken broth
    • 1/3 cup white wine or cream sherry may substitute chicken broth
    • 16 oz sour cream
    • 1 1/2 cups extra-sharp white cheddar cheese shredded, divided (6 oz)
    • 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
    • 1/8 tsp curry powder optional
    • 1 cup panko bread crumbs

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Bring a large pot of water to boil and add 2 teaspoons of salt. When the water is boiling, add the broccoli and cook for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and drain. Set aside.
    • Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. When the butter has melted, add the flour and 1 teaspoon salt. Whisk and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
    • Add the chicken broth and wine, whisking the mixture constantly. Cook for 3 minutes or until thickened.
    • Reduce the heat to low and add the sour cream and one cup of cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth.
    • Remove the pan from the heat and add the chicken, broccoli, lemon juice, and curry powder if using. Mix well until everything is well combined. Pour this mixture into a 9x13 baking dish, which has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
    • Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and add the panko and remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Mix well.
    • Sprinkle this mixture over the casserole and bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until bubbly and the topping is golden brown.

    Notes

    If you would rather microwave the broccoli, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and pour 3 tablespoons of water over the top. Cover with a plate and microwave on high for 3 minutes, or until broccoli is crisp-tender. 
    The secret to a smooth creamy sauce is constant whisking. If you see lumps, keep whisking until you don't.
    If you prefer, you can substitute chicken broth for white wine. 
    This recipe serves eight so it's great for a crowd or a large family. However, if you have a small family like mine, it's easy to divide up into several smaller dishes and then bake one and freeze the rest. 
    This casserole can be made up to a day ahead and just popped in the oven when you are ready to eat. 
    Leftovers if you have them are just as good if not better the second day, and an unbaked casserole can be frozen for up to three months.
    I prefer fresh in this recipe, however, frozen broccoli can be substituted in a pinch. It does not need to be cooked or steamed first. Simply add it to the dish frozen and bake as directed. You will need at least 20 + ounces of frozen broccoli pieces. 
    If you prefer to cook your own chicken, here is a link to my Easy Roasted Bone-In Chicken Breast recipe. This is what I usually use. Then I save the bones to make the stock.
    If you would like to make your own chicken stock, check out my easy homemade chicken stock recipe here. It's a great way to repurpose leftover chicken or chicken bones so nothing goes to waste. 
    Some folks like to serve this dish over rice. I usually serve it by itself with a side salad, but I wanted to give you that option. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 574kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 1499mg | Potassium: 915mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1830IU | Vitamin C: 139.5mg | Calcium: 320mg | Iron: 3.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a comment below and/or give this recipe a rating. On Instagram? Take a picture and tag @gritsandpinecones or #gritsandpinecones!
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    *This recipe was originally posted on August 17, 2017. Republished on May 13, 2020, with expanded directions, and new tips so that you can make this recipe perfectly the first time!  

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Fran S.

      May 19, 2020 at 6:58 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely fabulous!!!! I had a lot of fresh broccoli that I needed to use, & this happened to show up in my inbox. Perfect timing!!! Very simple to make, & it is absolutely delicious!

      Reply
    2. Jen Moore

      April 27, 2020 at 3:18 pm

      5 stars
      Best Chicken Divan EVER! Reminds me of the one my sorority sister in Virginia used to make at college! True Southern dish! Wonderful!!

      Reply
      • Sharon Rigsby

        April 28, 2020 at 11:09 am

        Hi Jen,
        You made my day! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and really appreciate your letting me know.
        All my best,
        Sharon

        Reply
    3. J.A. Watson

      December 20, 2019 at 10:28 am

      5 stars
      So good and easy to make. This one is going in my “go to” recipe box!

      Reply
    4. Mark, CompassandFork

      August 18, 2017 at 3:23 am

      We did a trip through the American south and really enjoyed the food there. Looking forward to trying this one out as well.

      Reply

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    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, recipe developer, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have well over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and there is nothing I like better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

    More about me →

    Most popular recipes:

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    • 36 Easy Memorial Day Recipes for 2022
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