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Easy Scratch-Made Creamy Chicken Divan Casserole

A serving of creamy Chicken Divan casserole with broccoli florets and a golden breadcrumb topping on a white plate.
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Make this creamy, comforting Chicken Divan Casserole using simple ingredients. This recipe avoids canned soup, delivering a satisfying, cheesy broccoli chicken dinner perfect for weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
  • 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish.
  2. Steam or blanch the broccoli florets until they are tender-crisp. Drain well and set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly to create a roux.
  4. Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes. This creates your Mornay sauce base.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in 3/4 cup of the cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
  6. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, steamed broccoli, and the creamy cheese sauce. Mix gently until everything is evenly coated.
  7. Pour the chicken and broccoli mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  8. In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese with the panko breadcrumbs. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
  9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
  10. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve this hearty chicken dinner with rice or crusty bread.

Notes

  • For quicker preparation, use store-bought rotisserie chicken for the 2 cups of cooked chicken.
  • If you prefer a thinner sauce, add milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency before adding the cheese.
  • This recipe works well as a make-ahead meal; assemble it completely, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 minutes to the bake time if cooking straight from the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyfelix.com/chicken-divan-easy-scratch-made-casserole/