Name: Chicken Divan
Yield: 6

straightforward Chicken Divan Recipe is a flavorful and cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole. With no mayo or cream of mushroom soup, this is a fresh spin on a classic.

author’s note

Cheesy Chicken Divan Without the Cans!

When I was growing up, Chicken Divan was a regular on the dinner table. My mom’s version was rich and comforting, loaded with cream soups and mayo.

When I started cooking for my own family, I wanted to keep the cheesy, creamy feel but make it fresher and more flavorful. That’s how this no-mayo, no-cream-soup version came to life: still cheesy, still creamy, but made completely from scratch.

Broccoli and chicken being added to the casserole dish.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Swap or Tip
Broccoli florets	Use fresh or frozen (no need to thaw first). Try asparagus or peas for a change.
Cooked, cubed rotisserie chicken	Any cooked chicken works: grilled, baked, or poached. Turkey works too.
Butter & flour	Gluten-free flour works if needed.
Milk & chicken stock	Use half-and-half for a richer sauce or vegetable stock for a vegetarian version.
Cheddar cheese	Sharp cheddar gives the most flavor, but Monterey Jack or Gruyère also work.
Sour cream	Swap with mayo + a splash of lemon juice for a tangy twist.
Chicken bouillon powder	One bouillon cube works too: just dissolve in the liquid.
Dijon mustard	Make sure it’s dijon mustard not yellow.
Garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley	Fresh garlic or parsley can replace dried.
Panko breadcrumbs & butter	Swap with crushed Ritz crackers or seasoned breadcrumbs.

Pouring creamy, cheesy sauce over the dish in preparation for cooking.

How To Make Chicken Divan Recipe

Prep oven & veggies: Heat oven to 350°F. Boil broccoli for 3 minutes, then drain.
Make sauce: Melt butter, whisk in flour, then slowly add milk and stock. mix in cheese until melted. Add sour cream and seasonings.
Assemble: Layer broccoli, chicken, and sauce in a 9×13 dish. Top with cheese.
Make topping: Toast panko in butter and sprinkle over casserole.
Bake: Cover with foil, bake 30 minutes, uncover to crisp topping.

Sprinkling panko breadcrumbs and shredded cheese to the chicken divan recipe.

Variations

Switch Things Up

Curry Twist: Add 1/4–1 teaspoon curry powder to sauce, plus lemon juice, and use grilled curry chicken.
Different Veggies: Try asparagus or peas instead of broccoli.
With Rice: Stir cooked rice directly into the casserole before baking.

Storage

Make Ahead: Assemble without baking, store in fridge for 2 days, panko separately. Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes, add panko midway.
Reheat Chicken Divan: In oven at 350°F for 30 minutes covered, or microwave servings.
Freeze: Prepare without panko, cool, wrap, freeze up to 3 months. Thaw, bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes, add panko last 10 minutes.