Description

Chicken Divan is a creamy, cheesy casserole featuring tender chicken breast cubes, broccoli florets, and a rich sauce made from cream soups and sour cream. Baked to perfection with a crunchy Ritz cracker topping and melted cheddar cheese, this classic comfort dish combines savory spices and tangy lemon juice for a delectable family meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon curry powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Vegetables

3 cups broccoli florets

Sauce and Cheese

1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of broccoli cheese soup
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup milk
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Topping and Cooking

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup crushed Ritz crackers

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and spray or brush an 8×8-inch casserole dish with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Season the chicken: In a bowl, toss the chicken cubes with garlic powder, onion powder, curry powder, salt, and black pepper, ensuring even coating of all pieces.
Brown the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken cubes and cook for 5-7 minutes until they are slightly browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from skillet and set aside.
Blanch the broccoli: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for about 5 minutes until fork-tender. Drain well and set aside.
Prepare the sauce mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the cream of broccoli cheese soup, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, and lemon juice. Stir in the cooked chicken and blanched broccoli, mixing thoroughly until well coated.
Add cheese: Fold in 1½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese into the casserole mixture, distributing it evenly throughout.
Assemble the casserole: Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
Add topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with olive oil until coated evenly. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the casserole to create a crunchy crust.
Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps set the layers and improves flavor melding.

Notes

You can substitute broccoli with cauliflower if preferred.
For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
Make sure to drain the broccoli well after blanching to avoid a watery casserole.
Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or paprika to the seasoning mix for a spicier version.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American