Make this classic Chicken Divan casserole featuring tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and a rich, homemade cheese sauce, perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Author:Sarah Peterson
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:30 min
Total Time:45 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
4 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
1/2 cup crushed butter crackers (for topping)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish.
Blanch the broccoli florets in boiling water for 3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Drain well and set aside.
Prepare the sauce: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture thickens and bubbles. Reduce heat to low.
Stir in the salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth.
In a separate bowl, mix the mayonnaise and white wine (or broth) until combined. Whisk this mixture into the cheese sauce.
In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the cooked chicken, followed by all of the blanched broccoli, and then the remaining chicken.
Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the chicken and broccoli mixture.
Sprinkle the crushed butter crackers over the top layer.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a quick version, substitute 2 cups of cooked rotisserie chicken for raw chicken.
If you prefer a slight spice, add 1/2 teaspoon of curry powder to the cheese sauce when adding the seasonings.
To make this a low-carb option, omit the cracker topping and substitute it with 1/4 cup of toasted slivered almonds.