Classic Creamy Chicken Divan Casserole
Make a classic and Creamy Chicken Divan! This easy casserole recipe features tender chicken and broccoli in a rich sour cream and mayonnaise sauce, topped with breadcrumbs and baked until bubbly.
Ingredients
(Based on 1x column)
Casserole:
- ▢ 2 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded
- ▢ 2 cups broccoli florets, steamed until tender-crisp
- ▢ 1 cup sour cream
- ▢ 1 cup mayonnaise
- ▢ 1 cup milk (2% or whole)
- ▢ 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
- ▢ 1 tablespoon curry powder (optional but recommended)
- ▢ Salt and pepper to taste
Topping:
- ▢ 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Panko)
- ▢ (Optional: 1-2 tbsp melted butter tossed with breadcrumbs for a richer, more golden topping)
Instructions
1. Prepare Oven, Dish, and Components:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease a deep casserole dish or a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- If you haven’t already, shred your cooked chicken.
- Steam your broccoli florets for a few minutes until they are bright green and tender-crisp. You can do this in a steamer basket over boiling water or in a microwave-safe bowl with a couple of tablespoons of water, covered, for 2-3 minutes. Drain well.
2. Combine Casserole Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, steamed broccoli florets, sour cream, mayonnaise, milk, 1 cup of shredded cheese, and the optional (but recommended!) curry powder.
- Mix everything together well with a large spoon or spatula until all the chicken and broccoli are evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Be mindful that the cheese and chicken may already be salty.
3. Assemble the Casserole:
- Transfer the prepared chicken and broccoli mixture to your greased casserole dish.
- Spread the mixture out into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the 1 cup of breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the casserole. (For an extra golden, rich topping, you can toss the breadcrumbs with 1-2 tablespoons of melted butter before sprinkling).
4. Bake:
- Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven.
- Bake, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes.
- The Chicken Divan is ready when it is hot all the way through, bubbling around the edges, and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and toasty.
5. Rest and Serve:
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes (5-10 minutes) before serving. This allows the creamy sauce to set up slightly.
- Serve the Creamy Chicken Divan warm, spooned onto plates. Enjoy this comforting classic!