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Classic Creamy Chicken Divan Casserole

A spoonful of creamy Chicken Divan casserole featuring broccoli florets, shredded chicken, and a crunchy golden topping.
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Make this classic Chicken Divan casserole for a comforting family dinner. It combines tender chicken, broccoli, and a rich, homemade cheese sauce, baked until golden.

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 curry powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup crushed butter crackers (like Ritz)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Blanch the broccoli florets in boiling water for 3 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender-crisp. Drain them well and set aside.
  3. Make the creamy sauce: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the curry powder, salt, and pepper. Mix in 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth. Stir in the mayonnaise or yogurt.
  6. In a large bowl, gently combine the shredded chicken, blanched broccoli, and the creamy cheese sauce. Mix until everything is evenly coated.
  7. Pour the chicken and broccoli mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  8. In a small bowl, combine the crushed butter crackers and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the cracker topping.
  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 you serve it over rice or enjoy it as is.

Notes

  • For a quicker meal, substitute 2 cups of store-bought rotisserie chicken for cooked chicken.
  • If you prefer a tangier sauce, substitute half of the cheddar cheese with Gruyère cheese.
  • This dish is excellent served over cooked white rice for a complete meal.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenican.com/chicken-divan-classic-creamy-casserole-recipe/