Easy Chicken Divan Casserole with Rice
This post may contain affiliate links.
This Chicken Divan Casserole recipe was given to me many many years ago. This is the traditional recipe with rice, broccoli, and chicken that made its way every fall and winter and was always a hit.
Lately, this recipe is often referred to as Chicken and broccoli casserole on the interwebs. It is a little deceiving because REAL chicken divan is made from a Mornay sauce (with Gruyere cheese). But, I still call this Chicken Divan casserole because back in the ’90s that’s what everyone called it.
Hello Friends!
How is your week going? We are enjoying the cool weather of the season and enjoying watching our sports. There is nothing like getting together with family and friends around the television to enjoy a good game or movie.
Today’s recipe is a retro recipe for the season when you are looking for a tasty casserole to serve. I love simple recipes like this one because while it takes a few minutes to put together, they are relatively inexpensive ingredients.
All the flavors come back just like I remember them and sometimes it is fun to just be nostalgic and have a vintage recipe for dinner.
This recipe is always eaten completely and it warms up really well as leftovers too! That is the great thing about casseroles, as you can usually get two meals out of it.
Ingredients
- Chicken– Use chicken from four medium cooked chicken breasts. You can also use rotisserie chicken to save time. This is also a great way to use leftover chicken .
- Broccoli – I use fresh steamed broccoli but you can use cooked frozen broccoli.
- Rice – I like to use a boxed chicken rice recipe for extra flavor.
- Cheese – I like Cheddar cheese in this recipe.
- Cream of chicken soup – you can use homemade cream of chicken soup or a grocery store brand.
Equipment and Kitchen Tools
- medium bowl
- casserole dish
How to make Chicken Divan Recipe
The full recipe is below, but here are the major steps. It is all about layering.
- Start with rice. Layer cooked rice in the baking dish.
- Top with cooked fresh broccoli.
- Add chicken pieces.
- Pour the cream sauce over the casserole and sprinkle with cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake as directed.
Save The Recipe!
Add your email below and we’ll send it straight to your inbox+ you’ll receive all our newest recipes
Don’t forget to bookmark this recipe.
Chicken Divan Casserole
Time Saving Tips
- Use Rotisserie Chicken – Store-bought rotisserie chicken is one of the easiest ways to make this casserole quickly. Simply shred the chicken and add it directly to the casserole mixture for a shortcut that saves both prep time and dishes.
- Prep Ingredients Ahead – Chop the broccoli and shred the chicken and cheese cheese earlier in the day or even the night before. Having ingredients ready makes assembling the casserole much faster during busy evenings.
- Use Frozen Broccoli – Frozen broccoli florets work great in Chicken Divan and save washing time. Just thaw and drain well and cut smaller if necessery, before adding to the casserole to prevent extra moisture.
- Make It Ahead – Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake. This makes dinner incredibly easy on hectic weeknights.
- Double the Recipe – Make two casseroles at once and freeze one for later. This is a great way to meal prep future dinners without extra effort.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Serving Suggestion
Serve Chicken Divan with easy sides like bagged salad, garlic bread, or buttermilk biscuits to create a complete meal in minutes
More Easy Chicken Recipes
Chicken Piccata – A delicious and easy recipe with a mild lemon flavor.
Chicken Enchiladas Verde – Made with a creamy Chili Verde sauce.
Cream of Chicken Soup – This homemade version is delicious and easy to make.
Chicken and Rice Soup – A longtime family favorite
Creamy Chicken Pasta with Chipotle Sauce -so easy with a kick of spice!
Crockpot Chicken with Dumplings – An easy chicken recipe made in your crockpot.
Chicken Divan Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cooked chicken breasts
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 package rice
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup crushed bread crumbs.
- 2 cups cooked broccoli chopped
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook rice according to package directions.
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- In a greased 9×13" pan, layer cooked rice. Set aside.
- In a bowl, mix cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, cheese, lemon juice, and curry powder. Set aside.
- Layer broccoli and chicken over the rice layer.
- Add the sauce mayonnaise mixture
- Melt the butter in the microwave and mix with the bread crumbs.
- Top the casserole with bread crumbs and bake for 18-20 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
If you are not yet subscribing to my CELEBRATE THE SEASON newsletter, you can subscribe here. I share easy recipes for the season that the entire family is sure to love and also a few things that I don’t share here.
If you are not yet subscribing to my CELEBRATE THE SEASON newsletter, you can subscribe here. I share easy recipes for the season that the entire family is sure to love and also a few things that I don’t share here.
Well. These are a few of my favorite things! I see every food group represented here. I’m in.
Very true! I had not even thought of that! 🙂
@Raquel,
How much is a package of rice in measurement. I don’t buy pre-cooked rice.
About 2 – 2 1/2 cups of cooked rice will work.
Great recipe. Thanks.
Thanks Laura
I can probably piece together how to finish this recipe, but step #7 stops at “melt the.” Anyway! This has all the same ingredients as my mom’s recipe that I was raised eating often, but includes rice, so I’m going to give it a try! Thanks!
Thank you so much, Jan for letting us know! We fixed it and really appreciate you informing us. Hope you loved the casserole.❤️
This recipe is kind of confusing where do you put the cream of chicken soup and are you doing two layers of the mayonnaise mixture one over the rice and one on top of the broccoli and chicken help
Hey Bridget, Sorry if it is confusing. The cream of chicken soup mixture goes on after the chicken and before the cheese and breadcrumbs. Hope that helps!
I just saw the part in the recipe that was confusing and rewrote it. Thanks again for reaching out!
It doesn’t say anywhere in the instructions where to use the cream of chicken soup. Does it go in the mayonnaise mixture?
Yes, thank you for noticing. The directions have been modified.
Hi, do you have to add liquid to the concentrate soup? The ingredients did not say that. My Devan was not creamy 😳
No I do not add liquid to the soup. I just mix it with the mayo and spices.
I made one day ahead and it was fantastic.Finished the next and was just as good.