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Chicken Divan is a classic American casserole that’s never gone out of style. Tender chicken, broccoli, and a rich, creamy sauce come together beneath a buttery breadcrumb topping to create a comforting dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights, Sunday family meals, and potlucks alike. This old-fashioned favorite has been bringing families to the table for generations, and it’s easy to see why after just one bite.
This classic Chicken Divan recipe stays true to everything people love about the original. The creamy sauce combines mayonnaise, sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, cheddar cheese, a splash of white wine, and just enough curry powder to give the casserole its signature flavor without overpowering the dish. It’s rich, comforting, easy to make, and one of those dependable recipes you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again.
If you enjoy cozy, family-friendly dinners like my Chicken and Rice Casserole, Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, and No Peek Chicken, you’ll definitely want to add this recipe to your rotation. And if you’re looking for even more comforting weeknight meals, be sure to browse my Chicken Dinner Recipes collection for dozens of easy family favorites.
What Is Chicken Divan?
Chicken Divan is a classic American chicken casserole made with tender cooked chicken, broccoli, and a creamy sauce, then baked with a buttery breadcrumb topping until hot and bubbly. Although the original dish was created at the famous Divan Parisien restaurant in New York City, the recipe became a beloved home-cooked favorite in the 1950s and 1960s when convenient ingredients like cream soup and mayonnaise made it easy to prepare for busy families.
Today, Chicken Divan remains one of the most popular chicken casseroles because it’s simple, comforting, and incredibly versatile. This version stays true to the classic combination of chicken, broccoli, curry powder, and a rich, creamy sauce while using pantry-friendly ingredients that make it easy enough for weeknights and dependable enough for holidays, potlucks, and family gatherings.
✨ Before You Begin
✨ Drain the broccoli well. Whether you’re using frozen or fresh broccoli, excess moisture can make the sauce thin. If using frozen broccoli, thaw it completely and pat it dry before mixing it into the casserole.
✨ Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut. It’s flavorful, convenient, and makes this recipe come together in just minutes. Leftover roasted or grilled chicken works just as well.
✨ Don’t skip the curry powder. Chicken Divan isn’t meant to taste like curry, but that small amount is one of the signature flavors that gives this classic casserole its distinctive taste.
✨ Use freshly shredded cheese if possible. Freshly grated cheddar melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese, giving the sauce the best texture.
✨ Fresh breadcrumbs make the best topping. They bake up lighter and crispier than dry breadcrumbs, creating the perfect buttery finish.
Ingredients + Why They Matter
Broccoli: Broccoli is one of the signature ingredients in classic Chicken Divan. Frozen broccoli works perfectly, but be sure to thaw it completely and drain it well so the casserole stays rich and creamy instead of watery. If you prefer fresh broccoli, blanch it just until crisp-tender before adding it to the casserole.
Chicken: This recipe is a great way to use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken, making it an easy weeknight dinner. Shredded chicken blends beautifully into the creamy sauce, but diced chicken works just as well if you prefer heartier bites.
Mayonnaise + Sour Cream: This classic combination creates the rich, creamy sauce Chicken Divan is known for. The mayonnaise adds richness and body, while the sour cream contributes a subtle tang that keeps the sauce balanced rather than heavy.
Cream of Mushroom Soup: A longtime Chicken Divan staple, cream of mushroom soup adds savory flavor and helps create the smooth, creamy sauce that makes this casserole such a comforting family favorite.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar melts beautifully into the sauce while adding just enough bold flavor to complement the creamy ingredients. For the smoothest sauce, grate your own cheese if possible.
White Wine: A splash of dry white wine adds depth and brightens the rich sauce without making the casserole taste like wine. If you prefer not to cook with wine, chicken broth is an excellent substitute.
Curry Powder: Don’t skip it! Curry powder is one of the signature flavors of classic Chicken Divan. The small amount doesn’t make the casserole taste like curry—it simply adds the subtle warmth that makes this dish instantly recognizable.
Buttery Breadcrumb Topping: Fresh breadcrumbs tossed with melted butter and Italian seasoning bake into a crisp, golden topping that adds the perfect contrast to the creamy casserole underneath.
🥣 How to Make Chicken Divan
Prepare the casserole. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. If you’re using frozen broccoli, thaw it completely and pat it dry with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible.
Make the creamy sauce. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, lemon juice, curry powder, salt, black pepper, white wine, and milk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Add the chicken and broccoli. Fold the cooked chicken and broccoli into the sauce, gently stirring until everything is evenly coated.
Assemble the casserole. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Add the topping. In a small bowl, combine the fresh breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, and melted butter. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the casserole.
Bake until hot and bubbly. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through, bubbling around the edges, and the topping is golden brown. Let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving so the sauce has time to settle.
See the recipe card below for complete ingredient amounts and detailed instructions.
⭐ Pro Tips
⭐ Drain the broccoli thoroughly. This is the single most important step for a thick, creamy casserole. Excess water from the broccoli can thin the sauce and keep the topping from crisping properly.
⭐ Use rotisserie chicken to save time. It’s flavorful, tender, and makes this casserole come together quickly on busy weeknights.
⭐ Shred your own cheese. Freshly grated cheddar melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese, giving the sauce a creamier texture.
⭐ Bake until the edges are bubbling. The casserole is ready when it’s hot all the way through, bubbling around the edges, and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown.
⭐ Let it rest before serving. Allow the casserole to sit for about 10 minutes after baking. This helps the creamy sauce thicken slightly and makes serving much easier.
Storing + Reheating + Freezing + Make-Ahead
Storing Leftovers: Let the casserole cool completely, then transfer any leftovers to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: For individual servings, microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through. To reheat a larger portion, cover the casserole with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for about 20–30 minutes, or until hot throughout. Remove the foil during the last 5 minutes if you’d like to crisp the breadcrumb topping.
Can You Freeze Chicken Divan? You can, but I don’t usually recommend it. Because the sauce contains mayonnaise and sour cream, it may separate slightly after thawing, which can affect the texture. The flavor will still be delicious, but the sauce may not be as smooth and creamy as when it’s freshly baked.
If you do decide to freeze it, let the casserole cool completely, wrap it tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Make It Ahead: Chicken Divan is a wonderful make-ahead meal. Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. When baking straight from the refrigerator, you may need to add 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time so it’s heated through.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken Divan is a complete meal on its own, but I love serving it with warm bread to soak up every bit of the creamy sauce. My Dutch Oven Bread, Butter Swim Biscuits, or Bisquick Cornbread are all wonderful choices.
If you’d like to round out the meal with a vegetable side, try Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots, Southern Green Beans, or a simple garden salad tossed with my Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette. Their fresh flavors pair perfectly with the rich, creamy casserole.
For larger family dinners or holiday meals, Chicken Divan also pairs beautifully with Creamed Peas, Creamed Corn, or a bowl of Creamy Fruit Salad for a light, refreshing contrast.
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More Chicken Casserole Recipes
Has this Chicken Divan recipe made you realize that your life is sorely lacking in casserole recipes? Don’t worry — I’ve got you covered!
More Comfort Food Chicken Dinners
Looking for more easy chicken dinners? Browse these family favorites next:
Chicken Florentine – Tender chicken in a creamy Parmesan spinach sauce that’s easy enough for weeknights and elegant enough for company.
Creamy Lemon Chicken – Bright lemon, garlic, and a silky cream sauce make this an easy skillet dinner that’s full of flavor.
French Onion Chicken – Juicy chicken smothered with caramelized onions and melted cheese for a cozy comfort-food dinner.
Chicken Marsala – Tender chicken simmered in a rich mushroom and Marsala wine sauce that’s surprisingly simple to make at home.
Million Dollar Chicken – A rich, creamy baked chicken casserole that’s become a family favorite for potlucks and weeknight dinners.
Tried This Recipe?
I’d love to hear what you think! If you made this Chicken Divan, please leave a comment and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below. Your feedback helps other home cooks and always makes my day.
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Thanks for stopping by my kitchen today — happy cooking, friends! ❤️ Kathleen
Chicken Divan
Ingredients
- 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen broccoli, chopped, thawed
- 6 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 (10 ¾ -ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1/2 cup milk
Topping:
- 2 cups soft bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
- Drain thawed broccoli (20 ounces) in a colander then spread out on a double layer of paper towels to remove all excess moisture.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the soup (2 cans), mayonnaise (1 cup), sour cream (1 cup), Cheddar (1 cup), lemon juice (1 tablespoon), curry powder (1 teaspoon), salt (1/4 teaspoon), pepper (1/2 teaspoon), to taste, wine (1/2 cup), and milk (1/2 cup) until combined.
- Add the broccoli and chicken (6 cups) to the sauce and gently toss until evenly coated.
- Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Pat the top to even out with a rubber spatula.
- In a small bowl mix together the topping ingredients. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until the casserole is heated through the center.
Fans Also Made:
Notes
- Internal temperature: Since the meat is already cooked, you don’t really need to reach a particular temperature for food safety reasons. Aim for 165 degrees for thorough warming.
Nutrition
This Chicken Divan recipe looks absolutely delicious! I love that it’s both creamy and luscious. Can’t wait to try it out for dinner this week—perfect comfort food! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! Enjoy cooking! 🙂
This Chicken Divan recipe looks absolutely delicious! I love how creamy and luscious it sounds—perfect for a cozy dinner. Can’t wait to try it out this weekend! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! Enjoy cooking 🙂
Would you use boiled chicken, or roasted? Thanks.
Hi Ralph, either one will work well!
This Chicken Divan recipe looks absolutely delicious! I love how creamy and lush it seems, perfect for a cozy dinner. Can’t wait to try it out – thanks for sharing!
Enjoy and let us know how it turns out 🙂