Chicken Divan Casserole
Add Preferred SourceCreamy, and so comforting this chicken divan recipe is the kind of dinner that makes everyone ask for seconds. It’s a cozy chicken casserole with tender chicken breasts, crisp-tender broccoli, and a creamy sauce made with soup, sour cream, and cheddar cheese. Topped with buttery Ritz crackers and baked until golden and bubbly, it’s comfort food that hits the spot.
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I’ve made this chicken divan recipe many, many times, especially when I need something hearty but not fussy. It’s perfect for dinner on a chilly night or when I’ve got leftover chicken hanging out in the fridge. The creamy sauce is full of flavor, and the crunchy topping adds just the right texture. It’s one of those recipes that feels nostalgic but still holds up every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Chicken Divan
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
I love how easy this casserole is to pull together. Here’s how I make it step-by-step with just a skillet, a bowl, and a casserole dish.
Cook the chicken and veggies
Start by heating some butter in a large pot over medium heat. Season the cubed chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown on all sides.
You might need to work in batches so everything browns nicely. Add diced red onion and celery, stir, and cook for about 3 minutes.
Add the broccoli
Toss in the chopped broccoli florets with a little olive oil. Cook for another 3–5 minutes until they’re just crisp-tender—this helps them stay bright green and not mushy in the oven.
Mix the creamy sauce
Remove the pot from the heat and whisk in the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and a bit of mustard. Toss in half the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir it all until creamy and combined.
Make the topping
In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter.
SERIOUSLY GOOD
CASSEROLES
37 EASY RECIPES designed for days when you want one dish to do all the work for you. Expect rich, mouthwatering layers that are just begging to be on your dinner table.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Breakfast Casserole
∙ Cheeseburger Casserole
∙ Four Cheese Ravioli Casserole
∙ Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
∙ Sweet Potato Casserole
...and much more!
Transfer to a baking dish
Spoon the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it evenly, then sprinkle the rest of the cheddar on top. You want every bite to have some cheesy goodness.
Bake until golden
Pop it in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) and bake uncovered for 20 minutes. It’s ready when it’s bubbling and golden on top. Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound chicken breasts cubed
- Salt and pepper
- ½ cup red onion diced
- 1 stick celery diced
- 2 cups broccoli florets chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups cream of chicken soup
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon mustard
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese shredded
For the topping:
- ½ cup crushed Ritz crackers
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Set your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until browned on all sides (work in batches if needed). Add the diced onion and celery, cooking for about 3 minutes. Stir in the broccoli and olive oil, cooking for another 3-5 minutes until slightly tender.2 tablespoons butter, 1 pound chicken breasts, Salt and pepper, ½ cup red onion, 1 stick celery, 2 cups broccoli florets, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard, and half of the shredded cheese. Mix everything well.2 cups cream of chicken soup, ⅓ cup sour cream, ½ cup milk, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon mustard, 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top.
- In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter. Sprinkle over the casserole.½ cup crushed Ritz crackers, 2 tablespoons butter
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve as is or over mashed potatoes for an extra comforting meal.
Video
Notes
- Quick shortcut: Use rotisserie chicken to save time—just shred and stir it in.
- Soup: Try cream of mushroom instead of cream of chicken if that’s what you have.
- Veggie boost: Toss in peas, carrots, or any other veggies you like.
- Crunchy toppings: Out of Ritz crackers? Use panko or regular bread crumbs with butter.
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar brings the most flavor, but mild works too.
- Mustard: I usually use yellow mustard, but Dijon adds a nice tang and spice if you want a little zip.
- Extra flavor: A dash of curry powder or thyme adds a little something extra.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep it earlier in the day and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free soup, gluten-free crackers or breadcrumbs, and double-check all labels.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Fridge: Let the chicken casserole cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: If you want to freeze it, just assemble (skip the topping), cover tightly, and freeze before baking. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw in the fridge overnight, add the ritz cracker topping, and bake as directed.
- Reheat: To reheat, microwave individual portions or warm it in the oven at 350°F until heated through. If the topping loses a bit of its crunch, sprinkle on some extra crushed crackers, breadcrumbs or cheese before reheating to freshen it up.
Nutrition
SERIOUSLY GOOD
CASSEROLES
37 EASY RECIPES designed for days when you want one dish to do all the work for you. Expect rich, mouthwatering layers that are just begging to be on your dinner table.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Breakfast Casserole
∙ Cheeseburger Casserole
∙ Four Cheese Ravioli Casserole
∙ Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
∙ Sweet Potato Casserole
...and much more!
Recipe Notes and Tips
I always keep a few tricks up my sleeve to make this chicken divan recipe even better. Here are my go-to tips:
- Quick shortcut: Use rotisserie chicken to save time—just shred and stir it in.
- Soup: Try cream of mushroom instead of cream of chicken if that’s what you have.
- Veggie boost: Toss in peas, carrots, or any other veggies you like.
- Crunchy toppings: Out of Ritz crackers? Use panko or regular bread crumbs with butter.
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar brings the most flavor, but mild works too.
- Mustard: I usually use yellow mustard, but Dijon adds a nice tang and spice if you want a little zip.
- Extra flavor: A dash of curry powder or thyme adds a little something extra.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep it earlier in the day and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free soup, gluten-free crackers or breadcrumbs, and double-check all labels.
How to Store Leftover Chicken Divan
If you have leftovers (which doesn’t happen often around here), they store really well. Just let the chicken casserole cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
If you want to freeze it, just assemble (skip the topping), cover tightly, and freeze before baking. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw in the fridge overnight, add the Ritz cracker topping, and bake as directed.
To reheat, microwave individual portions or warm it in the oven at 350°F until heated through. If the topping loses a bit of its crunch, sprinkle on some extra crushed crackers, breadcrumbs or cheese before reheating to freshen it up.
What to Serve With Chicken Divan
This creamy chicken casserole is a full meal on its own, but you can definitely dress it up with a few sides. I like serving it over fluffy white rice, buttery mashed potatoes, or egg noodles for extra comfort.
A 7 layer salad or bean salad on the side balances the richness perfectly, and a little bit of sourdough bread is perfect for dipping in the sauce.
More Chicken Recipes You Will Love
I’m always up for cozy meals that feel easy but taste like a win. If you loved this chicken divan recipe, here are a few more comforting favorites:
- Crack Chicken Casserole
- Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
- Million Dollar Casserole Recipe
- Marry Me Chicken Soup
- Chinese Chicken Fried Rice
About the Author
Hey there! I’m Mandy
Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.
She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.
She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.
