Description
Chicken Divan is a comforting casserole dish featuring tender cubed chicken and broccoli in a creamy cheese sauce, topped with crunchy Ritz crackers and melted cheddar. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner with a rich blend of savory spices and a creamy texture baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 3 cups broccoli florets
Sauce
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of broccoli cheese soup
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Topping
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking spray (for greasing baking dish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Season Chicken: In a bowl, toss the chicken cubes with garlic powder, onion powder, curry powder, salt, and black pepper until all pieces are evenly coated with the seasoning blend.
- Cook Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken cubes and cook them for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are browned on the outside and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place on a plate to set aside.
- Boil Broccoli: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and boil for about 5 minutes, or until they are fork-tender but still bright green. Drain the broccoli thoroughly and set aside.
- Mix Sauce and Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the condensed cream of broccoli cheese soup, condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, and lemon juice. Stir in the cooked chicken and broccoli florets, mixing gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add Cheese: Stir 1½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese into the mixture until well blended.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour and spread the chicken and broccoli mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the crushed Ritz crackers evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the cracker layer to create a cheesy, crispy topping.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. Bake until the Ritz cracker topping is golden brown and the casserole is hot and bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool and set for 8-10 minutes before serving. This rest time helps the casserole to firm up for easier serving. Enjoy on its own, paired with dinner rolls and a green salad, or served over rice.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a teaspoon of dried thyme or paprika to the seasoning mix.
- Use fresh broccoli for the best texture, but frozen broccoli florets can be substituted—just defrost and drain well.
- Ensure the chicken pieces are uniform in size for even cooking.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the milk slightly or add an extra ¼ cup of sour cream.
- This casserole can be prepared a day in advance and baked right before serving.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
