This classic Chicken Divan is comfort food at its finest! Tender chicken pieces nestled with broccoli in a rich, creamy sauce, topped with a crunchy layer of crackers and melted cheese. Ready in under an hour, this crowd-pleasing casserole brings together savory flavors with a touch of curry for an unforgettable weeknight dinner that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick Comfort Food: Transform simple ingredients into a soul-warming meal that tastes like it took hours, not minutes!
Make-Ahead Marvel: Perfect for busy households – prep ahead and simply bake when needed.
Flavor Explosion: The combination of curry powder, creamy soups, and sharp cheddar creates layers of flavor that elevate this beyond ordinary casseroles.
Family Approved: Even picky eaters will clean their plates with this perfect balance of protein, vegetables, and cheesy goodness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken breasts: The star protein that stays juicy and absorbs all the wonderful seasonings.
Garlic and onion powders: These provide depth of flavor without the extra step of sautéing fresh aromatics.
Curry powder: The secret ingredient that gives Chicken Divan its distinctive, slightly exotic flavor profile.
Broccoli florets: Adds color, nutrition, and a pleasant texture contrast to the creamy sauce.
Cream soups: The broccoli cheese and chicken soups create a rich, velvety base without fussy roux-making.
Sour cream: Adds tanginess and extra creaminess to balance the richness.
Milk: Helps thin the sauce to the perfect consistency.
Lemon juice: A touch of acidity that brightens all the flavors and cuts through the richness.
Cheddar cheese: Creates that irresistible golden, melty topping that makes everyone dive in.
Ritz crackers: Provides the perfect buttery, crunchy contrast to the creamy filling.

Variations

Want to make this recipe your own? Here are some delicious twists:

Rice Base: Spread cooked rice in the bottom of your baking dish before adding the chicken mixture for a complete meal in one dish.
Different Cheese: Try Swiss, Gruyère, or a combination of cheeses for varied flavor profiles.
Add Mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the chicken for an earthy flavor boost.
Extra Veggies: Mix in some cauliflower florets, peas, or carrots along with the broccoli.
Lightened Up: Use low-fat soups, Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and reduce the cheese for a lighter version.

How to Make Chicken Divan

Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken

Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare your baking dish with a light coating of oil. Season the chicken cubes thoroughly with garlic powder, onion powder, curry powder, salt, and pepper, ensuring each piece gets a good coating of the aromatic spices.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook those seasoned chicken pieces until they’re lightly browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. The chicken should have a nice golden color but still be juicy inside. Set aside once done.

Step 3: Prepare the Broccoli

Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and add your broccoli florets. Cook them just until fork-tender, about 5 minutes – you want them to maintain some structure as they’ll cook more in the oven. Drain well to prevent a watery casserole.

Step 4: Create the Creamy Filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of broccoli cheese soup, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, and lemon juice. Stir until smooth, then gently fold in the cooked chicken and tender broccoli until everything is well-coated in the creamy mixture.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Assemble

Mix 1½ cups of shredded cheddar directly into your chicken and broccoli mixture, then transfer everything to your prepared baking dish. The cheese will melt throughout the casserole, creating pockets of cheesy goodness.

Step 6: Add the Topping

Sprinkle the crushed Ritz crackers evenly over the top, then finish with the remaining cheese. This dual-layer topping will create an irresistible contrast of textures.

Step 7: Bake to Bubbly Perfection

Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until the casserole is bubbling around the edges and the topping has turned a beautiful golden brown. Let it rest for 8-10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overcook the Broccoli: Keep it slightly crisp when boiling as it will continue cooking in the oven.
Season Well: The curry powder is key to authentic Chicken Divan flavor – don’t skip it!
Room Temperature Ingredients: Let the sour cream and milk come to room temperature before mixing for a smoother sauce.
Cheese Recommendation: Sharp cheddar provides the best flavor, but mild works if you prefer a more subtle taste.
Ritz Cracker Alternative: Panko breadcrumbs mixed with a little melted butter make a great substitute.

How to Serve

This versatile casserole works beautifully as a standalone meal or paired with complementary sides:

Main Event

Serve it as is in generous scoops, allowing the creamy sauce to pool slightly on the plate.

Complete Meal Ideas

Spoon it over a bed of fluffy white rice or buttered egg noodles to soak up the delicious sauce
Pair with a crisp green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness
Add homemade dinner rolls or crusty bread for dipping into that amazing sauce

Drink Pairings

A crisp Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc complements the creamy flavors beautifully. For non-alcoholic options, sparkling water with lemon brings refreshing contrast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Make Ahead

Prepare the entire casserole up to the baking step, cover with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, add the cracker topping fresh, then bake as directed, adding about 10 minutes to the cooking time.

Storing Leftovers

Refrigerate leftover Chicken Divan in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making for excellent next-day lunch.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully! Prepare through Step 5, but don’t add the cracker topping. Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before topping with fresh crackers and cheese, then baking.

Reheating

For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave at 70% power, covered with a paper towel. For larger amounts, cover with foil and warm in a 325°F oven until heated through (about 20 minutes).

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen broccoli works perfectly in this recipe. No need to boil it first – just thaw completely, drain well to remove excess moisture, and add directly to the mixture. This is a great time-saving shortcut that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.

Why does my Chicken Divan have a watery sauce?
This usually happens when the broccoli hasn’t been drained thoroughly or the casserole wasn’t allowed to rest after baking. Make sure to drain your broccoli completely and let the finished casserole sit for at least 8 minutes before serving. If it’s still too thin, mixing a tablespoon of cornstarch with your milk before adding can help thicken things up.

Can I prepare this without curry powder?
While curry powder gives traditional Chicken Divan its distinctive flavor, you can substitute with 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric (for color) plus 1/2 teaspoon of poultry seasoning. The flavor profile will be different but still delicious. Some people enjoy using Italian seasoning as an alternative for a completely different twist.

How can I make this healthier without losing flavor?
For a lighter version that maintains flavor, use low-sodium soups, Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, reduce cheese by half, and swap the Ritz crackers for whole wheat breadcrumbs mixed with a little olive oil. Adding extra vegetables like cauliflower or spinach boosts nutrition while keeping that comforting taste.

Final Thoughts

This Chicken Divan recipe brings together simple ingredients in a way that creates something truly special. The combination of tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and that incredibly creamy, slightly spiced sauce topped with buttery crackers and melted cheese is the definition of comfort food. Whether you’re serving family or friends, on busy weeknights or for Sunday dinner, this casserole delivers satisfaction in every bite. Give it a try tonight – I promise it’ll earn a permanent spot in your recipe collection!

Chicken Divan Recipe