Looking for a comforting dinner that’ll make your family think you spent hours in the kitchen? This Chicken Divan Casserole is my go-to recipe when I want something warm, cheesy, and satisfying without too much fuss.
It combines tender chicken and broccoli in a creamy sauce, topped with a layer of melted cheese that makes everyone at the table happy. The best part is that you can prep it ahead of time and pop it in the oven when you’re ready to eat, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re hosting friends for dinner.
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30-40 minutes |
| Total Time | 45-60 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (refer to notes)
- Salt and pepper (as needed)
- 1 yellow onion (chopped)
- 1 celery stalk (chopped)
- 4 cups broccoli florets (roughly ½ pound)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup crushed ritz crackers (or panko breadcrumbs)
- 2 tablespoons butter
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Chicken
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper to season.
Step 2: Sauté Chicken and Vegetables
In a large dutch oven or pot, melt butter over medium heat.
Add the chicken, onions, and celery, tossing to coat them in the melted butter.
Sauté for approximately 3 minutes until the chicken is about halfway done.
Next, add the broccoli and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Continue to cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through.
Remove the pot from heat.
Step 3: Mix Ingredients and Transfer to Casserole Dish
To the pot with the chicken and vegetables, add the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, seasonings, and half of the cheese.
Stir everything together until well combined.
Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish.
Top with the remaining cheese.
Step 4: Bake the Casserole
Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, remove the dish from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 400°F (205°C).
Step 5: Add Cracker Topping and Final Bake
While waiting for the oven to reach the new temperature, combine the melted butter with crushed Ritz crackers in a small bowl.
Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Step 6: Let Rest and Serve
Once baked to perfection, remove the casserole dish from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.
This allows the dish to set.
Serve it hot over a bed of rice, biscuits, or mashed potatoes.
Enjoy your delicious homemade casserole!
