Chicken Divan
I miss going to New York 🗽. I love the city, its people, its culture, its history (there’s so much to do there), its shopping, and its restaurants. David has never been there, and I want us to go just before Christmas because it’s MAGICAL!
The Big Apple has a lot going on in December: walking on Fifth Avenue and admiring the lights and decorations from Saks or the ones from Radio City, the gorgeous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree 🎄, going to Christmas markets, skating at Wollman Rink ⛸, snuggling under a nice warm blanket while taking a ride in a private horse-drawn carriage, etc.
As I dream of experiencing this fairytale-like 🧚♀️ trip with my husband during the Holidays, I couldn’t resist posting a recipe that originated at the Chatham Hotel in New York. It’s called Chicken Divan!
This mid-century casserole is simply mouthwatering! With chicken cubes 🐓 and broccoli florets, along with other ingredients and seasonings in a lovely creamy cheese sauce, plus topped with a mixture of breadcrumbs and cheese, this recipe is so comforting!
Casseroles are always nice to make, and with the frantic pace of the Holidays, they’re sure to be a comforting food that everyone will enjoy! Although there are a few steps to achieve this tasty dish, this Chicken Divan is easy to make 👩🍳👨🍳.
Blanching broccoli is one of the steps. This cooking process, which takes only 3 minutes, stops the enzymes, removes the bitter taste from the broccoli, brightens the color, and helps keep the vitamins as well as the texture. The final results are bright green broccoli florets 🥦 that are not mushy, and not undercooked or overcooked!
As David and I are slowly switching from nonstick pans to stainless steel ones, I highly recommend you use a nonstick skillet for this recipe. For the sauce to have a nice, thick consistency, flour is added, and it can really stick to the bottom.
The topping for this recipe is not optional! It must be made to complete the dish! It’s simply a mixture of Panko breadcrumbs, cheese 🧀, and melted butter. It’s important that the breadcrumbs are all coated with butter 🧈, which helps them brown and crisp the top.
Easy and incredibly delightful, this Chicken Divan recipe is so satisfying and perfect to make during the colder months of the year. This is another casserole that you and your family will love 💖. With a note of nostalgia, enjoy this old-time classic!
Bon Appétit! 🍽
Check out these other amazing casserole recipes… 😀
– Chicken Scarpariello
– Breakfast Casserole
– Baked Ziti
– Lancashire Hotpot
– Ricotta Spinach & Sausage Pasta
– Shepherd’s Pie
– Italian Gnocchi Casserole
– Mediterranean Eggplant Casserole
– Frankie’s Macaroni Casserole
and for even more chicken recipes 🐓, click on this link… Recipe Category • Poultry
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Chicken Divan
Hover to scale
Ingredients
CASSEROLE
- 1 lb. (about 6 to 6 1/2 cups) broccoli florets
- 4 tbsp. butter, divided
- 2 tbsp. olive oil tips & tricks
- 2 large (1 1/2 lbs.) chicken breasts, cubed
- ground Himalayan pink salt, to taste and divided
- freshly ground mixed peppercorns, to taste and divided
- 1 cup white onions, diced
- 4 cups (8 ounces) button mushrooms, washed and sliced
- 2 large cloves garlic, pressed
- 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 1/2 cups half-and-half
- 1/2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp. cooking sherry
- 1 tsp. lemon zest
- 2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/2 tsp. hot paprika optional
TOPPING
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
- 3 tbsp. butter, melted
- 1 1/2 tbsp. finely chopped parsley, for garnish tips & tricks
Directions
- In a pot of boiling water, blanch broccoli for 3 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tbsp. butter and oil.
- When it starts sizzling, working in batches, add chicken cubes; season with salt and mixed peppercorns. Sauté until light golden, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Transfer to a bowl while cooking the remaining cubes.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add onions; season with salt. Sauté for 2 minutes, scraping the bottom of the skillet to dislodge any brown bits.
- Add mushrooms, 1 tbsp. butter and season with black pepper. Stir until butter is melted before adding the remaining 2 tbsp. butter. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle in flour, stir until the ingredients are coated and cook for 2 minutes.
- Slowly pour in chicken broth and scrape the bottom to release any stuck ingredients. Add heavy cream and stir to blend.
- Add Dijon mustard and bring to a simmer. Cook until the sauce thickens and coats the back of the spoon.
- Preheat oven to 375ºF and grease 3-quart baking dish and set aside.
- Add sour cream, cooking sherry and lemon zest; stir to blend.
- Add cheese and stir until melted. Stir in hot paprika.
- Add cooked chicken cubes including any accumulated juices and broccoli florets; mix until blended.
- Remove from the heat and transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish; set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine panko, cheese and melted butter; stir to combine. Evenly sprinkle topping over the chicken mixture.
- Transfer to the preheated oven and bake until the top is golden brown, about 23 to 25 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes before sprinkling on some chopped parsley. Serve over egg noodles or rice.
Don't forget to rate and comment on this recipe!

After making it half a dozen times, this is one of our favorite winter casseroles. Thanks! 💗
That’s fantastic 😀! I’m happy you love it! Have a gorgeous day 🌞, Tiffany!
The kids love the casserole! Another one they enjoy is your gnocchi casserole.
I’m happy to hear they love both of them. I agree, the Italian Gnocchi Casserole is very delicious. Enjoy the rest of your day, Denise.
Great blog! One that I never get tired of reading. At least, you bring some depth to the story and wrap the recipe in. You’re not only a fantastic cook but a good writer.
Wow, thank you so much 🙏! Both, I love cooking and writing 📜. Have a fabulous day, Nadine.
Hi Frankie. After spending 5 hours on your site, my question is “are you a professional chef? Your recipes look incredibly delicious. Abigail Burton
Aww, thank you so much, Abigail 😊. No, I’m not! I’ve been cooking since my early 20s and love it! Also, one of my hobbies, if you want to call it that, was to go out to restaurants at least a couple of times a week and try something I’ve never had before, then try to duplicate it in my kitchen. Have a lovely evening 🌛.
Great comfort food.
Chef Frankie, you nailed it!
Thank you, Kathleen 🙏. Have a beautiful day.
delish
Francine, this recipe is very tasty yum!
Awesome! I’m happy you enjoyed it. Have a nice evening, Kurt 🌜.
Great tip on the broccoli.
😉
💗 soooo tasty & creamy
Great flavor. My family enjoyed it. Thank you.
You’re welcome, Dhanashree 😀.
this is my go-to chicken divan recipe!
I got a recipe way backwhen from an old Farmer’s Almanac and it was pretty nice but yours is a hundred times tastier. It has more seasoning and, somehow, the flavors mingle well together. Thank you and have a nice day.
You’re very welcome, Wendy 😉 and you too, have a lovely day.
looks great!!! Merry Christmas Francine!!!! might have to hire you to bring by some meals as I am on the surgical wait list to have both hips replaced and an appt. being made as now they think my knees need replacing as well, sigh.
Thank you, Robin😊! Oh my, this is terrible! Please take good care of yourself and Merry Christmas to you & your family🎄🎅🎁.
YUM, I haven’t made this in quite a while. Your recipe sounds amazing!
Thank you😀 I love making this comforting dish! Have a wonderful day Papy🌞
Fabulous! I’ll be making it right after the holidays. Merry Christmas, Frankie.
Thank you and Merry Christmas 🎄 to you as well. Have a wonderful day, Miles.
We’re chilly in FL, this is another perfect recipe that you are sharing with us! Thanks Chef and wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year 🎉 Hugs!
Thank you, Linda😊. I hope your weather warms up soon. You’re right, this is a great casserole when it’s cool outside! Awww, thank you so much! Merry Christmas 🎄 and Happy New Year 🥳🥂 to you & your family.
Never made this casserole but I will. Thank you for sharing
My pleasure 😊! It’s a delicious classic. Have a nice evening, Liza.
A tasty hearty recipe, merci.
Thank you, McCulleyJr 😊! It’s perfect anytime. Enjoy the rest of your day.
YUM, I haven’t made this in quite a while. Your recipe sounds amazing!
Thank you😀. I love making this comforting dish! Enjoy the rest of your day, Peggy.
That’s another amazing recipe from chef Frankie!
Thank you, Bee 😊. This is a delicious casserole to make this winter ⛄. Have a fabulous day!
very nice food merry christmas
Thank you. Merry Christmas, James 🎄.