Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan Recipe

Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan Recipe is a creamy and cheesy recipe, which is made with chicken and broccoli. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in about 1 hour.

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Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan Recipe Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 2 lbs. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into chunks
  • Salt/Pepper, to taste
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 stick celery, diced
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, about ½ lb.
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
  • 2/3 cup sour cream
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon mustard powder
  • 2 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
  • Optional Topping: 1 cup crushed crackers (like Ritz) mixed with 2 tbsp melted butter

How To Make Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan Recipe

  1. Preheat Oven and Cook Chicken: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breast chunks with salt and pepper and add them to the skillet along with the diced onion and celery. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
  2. Add Broccoli: Add the broccoli florets and olive oil to the skillet. Continue to cook for another 3-4 minutes, until the broccoli is tender-crisp.
  3. Make the Creamy Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder.
  4. Combine and Assemble: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the chicken and vegetables. Add half of the shredded cheddar cheese (about 1 ¼ cups) and stir until everything is well combined and the cheese begins to melt.
  5. Transfer and Top: Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the top.
  6. Bake the Casserole: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, increase the oven temperature to 400°F, remove the foil, and sprinkle the buttered cracker topping (if using) over the casserole. Bake for another 8–10 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the casserole is bubbly.
  7. Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the sauce to set up.
Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan Recipe
Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan Recipe

Recipe Tips

  • What’s the best chicken to use? This recipe is great for using raw chicken breasts cut into chunks. However, to save time, you can use 3-4 cups of pre-cooked shredded chicken (like a rotisserie chicken). If using cooked chicken, add it to the skillet along with the sauce and cheese.
  • Can I use frozen broccoli? Yes, you can use frozen broccoli florets. There’s no need to thaw them first; just add them to the skillet and cook for a few extra minutes until they are heated through.
  • How do I get a crispy topping? The key is adding the buttered cracker topping at the end and increasing the oven temperature. This allows the casserole to heat through before the topping is added, preventing it from getting soggy.
  • Can I customize the sauce? Absolutely. You can substitute the cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom or cream of celery. For a different flavor, try using a different cheese blend, like a Colby Jack or a Swiss and Gruyere mix.

What To Serve With Chicken Divan

This rich casserole is a meal in itself, but it’s traditionally served over or alongside:

  • Hot cooked white or brown rice
  • Wide egg noodles
  • A simple green salad to cut the richness

How To Store Chicken Divan

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze: You can freeze the casserole before adding the cracker topping. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in both plastic wrap and foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then add the topping and bake as directed.

Chicken Divan Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 611 kcal
  • Protein: 45g
  • Fat: 40g
  • Carbohydrates: 15g
  • Sodium: 980mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

What is Chicken Divan?

Chicken Divan is a classic American casserole that typically features chicken and broccoli in a creamy Mornay sauce (a béchamel sauce with cheese). This version uses cream of chicken soup and sour cream for a quick and easy, but still delicious, sauce.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. You can assemble the entire casserole (without the cracker topping), cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the initial covered baking time. Add the topping right before the final bake.

My sauce seems thin. What should I do?

The sauce will thicken as it bakes. If it still seems too thin for your liking after baking, it’s likely because the vegetables released a lot of water. Ensure your broccoli isn’t overly wet if you’re rinsing it.

Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan Recipe

Recipe by MarryCourse: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

30

minutes
Calories

611

kcal

A creamy, cheesy casserole made with tender chicken, broccoli, and a rich sauce, all finished with a buttery, crisp cracker topping.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into chunks

  • 2 tbsp butter

  • Salt & Pepper to taste

  • 1 yellow onion, diced

  • 1 stick celery, diced

  • 4 cups broccoli florets

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup

  • 2/3 cup sour cream

  • ½ cup milk

  • ½ tsp each: garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder

  • 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

  • Topping (Optional): 1 cup crushed crackers + 2 tbsp melted butter

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Season and cook chicken, onion, and celery in butter until chicken is done.
  • Add broccoli and olive oil; cook for 3-4 more minutes.
  • In a bowl, mix soup, sour cream, milk, and spices. Pour into the skillet.
  • Stir in half of the cheese. Transfer mixture to a baking dish and top with remaining cheese.
  • Cover and bake for 20 minutes.
  • Increase oven temp to 400°F. Uncover, add cracker topping, and bake for 8-10 more minutes until golden.
  • Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Quick Prep: Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken to make this dish even faster.
  • Customize It: Feel free to try different condensed soups (like cream of mushroom) or cheese blends.
  • Serving Suggestion: This casserole is delicious served over hot cooked rice or egg noodles.
  • Don’t Skip the Rest: Letting the casserole sit for a few minutes helps the sauce thicken and set.

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