My Chicken Broccoli Divan is an irresistibly savory casserole. Whether you grew up eating it at Sunday dinners or you’re discovering it for the first time, this version keeps all the cozy charm while streamlining the steps for busy weeknights. It’s freezer-friendly, crowd-pleasing, and endlessly adaptable for your family.
Casserole are big in my household. They are quick and easy to assemble for delicious make ahead meals. Two favorites are my creamy chicken pasta bake or my easy chicken and stuffing casserole.
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Why this Chicken Divan Casserole Recipe is a Keeper
This chicken recipe for chicken divan is a classic. Here’s why our version is the one to save for later. Your family will love it just like mine does.
- Ultimate Comfort Food: I love this recipe because it’s creamy, cheesy, and satisfying. It’s truly the epitome of comfort food, perfect for a chilly evening or a family gathering.
- Crowd-Pleaser: The mild, familiar flavors of chicken, broccoli, and a cheesy sauce appeal to almost everyone, including picky eaters. It’s a reliable dish for potlucks and family dinners.
- Easy to Make: Despite its rich taste, the recipe is straightforward, often relying on canned soups or simple sauce components, making it accessible even for novice cooks.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This easy chicken divan casserole assembles beautifully ahead of time, making it a lifesaver for busy weeknights or entertaining.
- Versatile and Adaptable: It’s highly customizable to various dietary needs or ingredient availability, as you’ll see in the variations section.
What Kind of Chicken is Best for Broccoli Chicken Divan?
I like to use shredded chicken breasts, but I’ve also used rotisserie chicken. Feel free to use whatever kind of chicken you like as long as it’s chopped or shredded into bite size pieces.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Creamy and delicious! A wonderful classic recipe that my family loved!”
~ Raquel
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Ingredient Notes to Make Chicken Divan
All of the required ingredients for Campbell chicken divan are easy to find at the store, but some of the ingredients may be around the kitchen already.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cooked Chicken: Rotisserie, baked, or grilled chicken all work. Chop it or shred it based on your preference. This is a great recipe to use up leftover chicken or leftover turkey.
- Broccoli: Use fresh broccoli florets for the best texture, but frozen can also be used. Be sure to thaw and drain the broccoli thoroughly.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: The classic base. You can sub with a homemade white sauce or use cream of mushroom soup.
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar adds bold flavor. Grate your own for best meltability.
Variations and Substitutions for Easy Chicken Broccoli Divan
Easily customize this recipe by experimenting. Take it to the next level by using different ingredients and trying different flavors.
- Cream Sauce: For a richer, less “canned soup” flavor, make a homemade white sauce (béchamel) with butter, flour, milk/broth, and then stir in cheese and seasonings.
- Different “Cream Of” Soups: Cream of celery, cream of asparagus, or even cream of broccoli soup can be used.
- Sour Cream/Greek Yogurt: Stir in 1/2 to 1 cup of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt for extra tang and creaminess.
- Cheese: Try different cheeses or cheese blends like Swiss cheese, parmesan, gruyere or Monterey jack.
- Topping: If you don’t have saltines, you can use crushed ritz crackers instead. You could also try crushed pork rinds instead.
- Crushed Potato Chips: For a salty, crunchy twist.
- French Fried Onions: A beloved classic for the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: Feel free to try panko breadcrumbs on top of this chicken divan recipe.
- Add-Ins: Mix in more protein and vegetables like sautéed sliced mushrooms, pimento, lemon juice or pasta for an even heartier dish
How to Make Chicken Divan Casserole
This recipe for chicken divan comes together in 3 easy to follow steps. It’s a great option for when you have no idea what to make for an easy dinner.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Make the Casserole: Combine the chicken, broccoli, cream of chicken soup, mayo and All Purpose Seasoning in a 9×13 casserole dish.
- Add the Topping: Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of the casserole. Mix together the crushed crackers and melted butter together and distribute over the cheese.
- Bake: Finally, bake the casserole for 30 minutes.
Make Ahead Ideas for this Easy Chicken Divan Dinner Recipe
When I prepare ingredients ahead of time, it can help save me time and kitchen space when it comes to making everything for dinner.
- Full Assembly: Assemble the entire casserole in the baking dish (without baking). Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold.
- Cook the Chicken & Broccoli: Cook and shred or dice the chicken, and steam/blanch the broccoli. Store separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- Mix Sauce Base: If using a homemade sauce, prepare it and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. If using canned soup, simply have it ready.
Alternate Cooking Methods for Delicious Chicken Casserole
If you don’t want to use your oven, you can also make this Campbell’s® recipes in the crock pot. You will love this chicken divan recipe due to it’s ersatility.
- Slow Cooker: Cook chicken and broccoli as usual. Combine all ingredients (except topping) in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1.5-2 hours, or until heated through and bubbly.
Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Chicken Broccoli Divan
- Storing: Store leftover cooked chicken broccoli divan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze chicken divan in freezer safe airtight containers.
- Reheating: For individual portions or a whole casserole, cover with foil (to prevent drying) and bake at 325-350°F until heated through and bubbly. Remove foil for the last few minutes if you want to re-crisp the topping.
- Microwave: You can easily reheat individual portions in the microwave. If using frozen, let thaw in the refrigerator.
- Using Leftovers: Serve heated leftovers over freshly cooked white rice or egg noodles for a quick meal. Add rice if you like. Minute rice is a quick way to make this recipe.
- Stuffed Potatoes: Place broccoli mix into baked potatoes or sweet potatoes.
- Puff Pastry Pockets: Spoon soup mixture into squares of puff pastry, seal, and bake until golden brown.
Common Questions About This Copycat Paula Deen Recipe
Steam it just until bright green and still firm. Avoid boiling or over-steaming because it will continue to cook in the oven.
Sure! Be sure to use gluten free cream of chicken soup instead of regular. You can also pick up your favorite gluten free crackers or bread crumbs.
Expert Tips for Making Chicken Divan with Mayo
- Don’t Overcook Broccoli: This is crucial! Broccoli should be crisp-tender before going into the casserole. It will continue to cook in the oven, so slightly undercooked is better than overcooked to start.
- Drain Frozen Broccoli Well: If using frozen broccoli, thaw it and squeeze out as much excess water as possible. This prevents a watery casserole.
- Season Generously: Even if using canned soup, don’t be afraid to season the mixture with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or a pinch of curry powder to elevate the flavor.
- Taste the Sauce: Before mixing everything, taste the sauce mixture and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Even Distribution: Ensure the chicken and broccoli are evenly distributed throughout the dish so every serving gets a good mix of ingredients.
- Cheese Matters: Use good quality cheese that melts well. Shredding your own cheese often melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties.
- Cover for Moistness, Uncover for Crispness: Cover the casserole with foil for most of the baking time to ensure it heats through evenly and stays moist. Uncover for the last 10-15 minutes to brown and crisp the topping.
- Rest Before Serving: Like many casseroles, letting it rest for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven allows the sauce to set slightly, making it easier to serve cleanly.
- Serve this Recipe: Serve rotisserie chicken and broccoli casserole with Perfect Brown Rice, Garlic Parmesan Green Beans or Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes.
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Chicken Broccoli Divan Casserole
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Ingredients
- 2 cups Chicken, cooked and cut/shredded into bite sized pieces
- 2 cups Broccoli florets
- 31.5 ounces Cream of chicken soup, 3, 10.5 ounce cans
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons All Purpose Seasoning Blend
- 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
- 30-40 Saltine crackers, 1 sleeve, crushed
- 4 Tablespoons Butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- Combine the chicken, broccoli, soup, mayonnaise and All Purpose Seasoning Blend in a 13×9 inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of mixture.
- Combine crushed crackers and melted butter; Spread on top of shredded cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
Christina’s Notes
- Steam Broccoli Lightly: Helps preserve that tender-crisp texture.
- Make it Ahead: Assemble up to a day in advance and store in the fridge.
- Cheese Matters: Grate your own for the best melt and flavor.
- Use a Crunchy Topping: A mix of buttered crumbs and cheese adds irresistible texture.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
This was very good, but too soupy. Next time I’ll either omit the mayo or use less soup. I made half a recipe and used only 1 can of soup, and it was still too soupy, so I’ll use even less next time. I also thought it needed more chicken and broccoli, so I added more. The best part in addition to tasting good, this recipe is so easy to make! I even assembled it ahead of time and put it in the fridge and took it out to bake at dinner time. I cooked it a little longer since it was cold from the fridge.
sounds gr8….did’nt make cause has too much fat:(:(
I’ve made this casserole for years, but I don’t add the mayo (I feel like it doesn’t need mayo…), and I like using Ritz crackers or French’s Fried Onions as the topping. The onions especially add great flavor!
Delicious! Definitely add the curry powder. I mix shredded cheese in with it and put some on top. I dip pieces of bread into melted butter with garlic to make a crunchy bread topping. Thanks for the recipe!
Sounds great!
Nice Content! Thanks for sharing.
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Creamy and delicious! A wonderful classic recipe that my family loved!
Love this old school classic casserole.
Company’s-coming-taste in a simple and delicious casserole. We cleaned up every bite! Thanks for sharing your recipe.