Description
This Classic Chicken Divan Casserole is a retro comfort food favorite that never goes out of style. Featuring tender bites of chicken and fresh broccoli smothered in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, it is topped with a buttery, golden Ritz cracker crust that adds the perfect crunch. Hearty, savory, and incredibly satisfying, this casserole is a complete meal that comes together easily for a cozy family dinner.
Ingredients
The Chicken & Veggie Base
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (approx. 1/2 lb)
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 2 tablespoons butter (for sautéing)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
The Creamy Cheese Sauce
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
The Cracker Topping
- 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers (or Panko breadcrumbs)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Season the cubed chicken lightly with salt and pepper.
Sauté Chicken
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add the chicken, diced onions, and celery. Toss to coat and sauté for 3 minutes, until the chicken is about halfway cooked.
Add Broccoli
Add the broccoli florets and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Cook for 3–5 more minutes, just until the chicken is cooked through and the broccoli is bright green. Note: Do not overcook; the broccoli should stay crisp as it will cook more in the oven. Remove pot from heat.
Make Sauce
Directly into the pot with the chicken and veggies, stir in the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, and half of the shredded Cheddar cheese. Mix well.
Transfer
Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Top evenly with the remaining cheese.
First Bake
Cover the dish with foil. Bake for 20 minutes.
Add Topping
While it bakes, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter. Remove casserole from oven. Increase heat to 400°F (200°C). Remove foil and sprinkle the buttery crumbs over the top.
Final Bake
Bake uncovered for 8–10 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Serve
Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.
Notes
Curry Twist: Traditional vintage Chicken Divan often includes 1 teaspoon of curry powder in the sauce. Feel free to add this if you want that classic flavor profile.
The “Mush” Factor: Don’t cook the broccoli until soft in the skillet! It needs to be barely tender so it maintains texture after 30 minutes in the oven.
Rotisserie Hack: To save time, sauté the onions, celery, and broccoli until tender, then stir in cubes of cooked rotisserie chicken and the sauce ingredients.
Make Ahead: You can assemble the casserole (without the topping) a day in advance and refrigerate. When ready to cook, bake covered for 30 minutes before adding the topping, as it will be cold from the fridge.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Retro
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of Recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: chicken divan, chicken broccoli casserole, ritz cracker chicken, easy casserole recipes, comfort food dinner, cream of chicken soup recipes, retro dinner ideas