Chicken, broccoli, rice and cheese combine for this comforting classic – this Easy Chicken Divan Recipe is a dinner that the whole family will love.
Chicken Divan Recipe
Sometimes, you just need to throw it back to an old school comfort casserole. I’m definitely not too good for a good casserole, and this Easy Chicken Divan Recipe has to be up there among those comfort food casseroles that I love. This one definitely wouldn’t be put in the healthy every night category, but this is just pure comfort food, through and through. This casserole recipe is super easy to throw together, so there’s not a ton of time spent prepping. And it’s always gobbled up by the family, which is a huge selling point!
I think that Chicken Divan is one of those dishes that most of us have had – or at least a version of it – at one time or another in our lives. I can tell why, because this Easy Chicken Divan Recipe is a delicious, family friendly meal. This is probably a great way to get your children to eat their veggies! (Even though I’m not claiming it’s a healthy meal overall!!) I’ve mentioned before that I’m not a fan of instant rice, but this is one way that I don’t mind it. Which was great, because it was a great way to get rid of the rest of the box in my pantry!
What Is Chicken Divan?
Chicken Divan is a dish that was originally made in the early 1900s – created in a restaurant in New York City called the Divan Parisienne Restaurant. It was served as their signature dish, a chicken casserole served with broccoli and a mornay sauce.
Today, it is a comforting casserole dish, consisting of chicken, rice and broccoli in a creamy sauce. It is often made with condensed cream of chicken soup and mayonnaise (although this version has neither!)
Ingredients in this Chicken Divan Recipe
Here is what you will need:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: you’ll cut these into bite-sized pieces.
- Salt and Pepper: I always say the seasoning can make or break a dish!
- Heavy Cream: yeah, it’s not healthy. But it’s oh, so good. You can try to use half and half instead, but I can’t guarantee what the result would be.
- Chicken Broth: I always get low-sodium.
- Dijon Mustard: I say don’t skip this because it brings in such a great flavor!
- Instant Rice: I’m not usually a lover of instant rice, but it works so perfectly in this recipe!
- Frozen Broccoli: Thaw and chop it. If you want to use fresh, you’ll want to boil it or cook it first.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: I like to use sharp because it adds more flavor.
- Ritz Crackers: The cracker top is my favorite! Crush these into crumbs for the topping.
How to Make this Chicken Divan
This recipe is super easy!!
- Start by putting your chicken in a baking dish. Season it with salt and pepper.
- In a microwave safe bowl, combine the cream, chicken broth and dijon mustard. Microwave it until it comes to a boil. Alternately, you can do this one the stove top.
- Once it boils, add the rice, stir to combine, then pour it over the chicken.
- Bake the mixture uncovered for 20 minutes. You are giving the chicken and the rice a head start.
- After the 20 minutes, add the broccoli and the cheese to the casserole dish and stir to combine everything.
- Sprinkle the cracker crumbs over the top.
- Return to the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes.
Want more comforting chicken casserole recipes?
Chicken and Bacon Pot Pie with Bacon Cheddar Biscuits
Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Frito Casserole
Chicken Tamale Casserole
King Ranch Chicken Casserole from A Spicy Perspective
Cheesy Tortellini and Pesto Chicken Casserole from Mama Loves Food
Tools Used to Make this Chicken Divan
You don’t need much for this recipe – but you do need a casserole dish to bake it in.
I like to use a large, glass measuring cup to make the sauce in the microwave. Just make sure to use a very large one, so that it doesn’t boil over. I love this 8-cup measuring cup.
Looking for more free recipes?
Subscribe to my free recipe newsletter to get new family friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing more family-friendly inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram.

Easy Chicken Divan Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 38 mins
- Total Time: 48 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
Chicken, broccoli, rice and cheese combine for this comforting classic – this Easy Chicken Divan Recipe is a dinner that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- salt and pepper
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 cups instant rice
- 2 (10-oz) packages frozen broccoli, thawed and chopped
- 2 cups (8 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 36 Ritz crackers, crushed to coarse crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Spread the chicken pieces into the bottom of the prepared pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Combine the cream, chicken broth and dijon in a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high until boiling, about 8 minutes.
- Add the rice to the boiling mixture, then pour over the chicken in the baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
- Pat the broccoli dry, then add it and the cheddar cheese to the chicken mixture in the baking dish, stirring to combine. Sprinkle the Ritz crumbs over the top. Return the pan to the oven and continue to bake until the edges are bubbling and the crumbs are browned, about 5-10 minutes.
Recipe Notes:
source: America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts.
Nutrition
- Calories: 707
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 995 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 24 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 164 mg
Keywords: Chicken Divan
Joanne says
If I don't have a menu plan before I go grocery shopping, I make impulse buys left and right. Sigh. No good.
This chicken divan looks delicious! I love how quick and easy it is…a serious comfort food casserole.
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
That casserole must be delicious! I love that unusual combination of ingredients.
Cheers,
Rosa
Kim says
I agree with you 100%. If I make several trips to the store during the week I spend much more money. If I go only once (which I prefer anyway) then I save a lot of money. Also, I recently watched a show on TLC called Extreme Couponing and after watching the show I started clipping coupons and coordinating them with the sale ads. I've found coupons for a lot of whole foods too (milk, eggs, juice, etc). It's been really helpful. I've been saving tons at the store.
I've never had chicken divan but know instantly that I would love it. Anything with Dijon is always good in my book.
Miss Meat and Potatoes says
Mmmmmm. What lovely comfort food. Wish I had some now!
Keersten says
I haven't made this forever! I am going to put it on the menu next week.
I am right there with you. Meal planning has made a huge difference for us too. I also love it when 3:00 rolls around and I already know what I am going to make and know I am ready to make it. Any reduction in stress is a good one, right?
Megan says
I love meal planning too! I have a 4 and 2 year old so if I try to cut down on my trips to the grocery store with them since it can be kind of crazy! I plan a weekly meal and shop once a week. It saves time and money, for sure.
Heather of Kitchen Concoctions says
I used to be real good about meal planning but have gotten off track with it lately. thanks for inspiring me to start doing it again!
Mrs. L says
I remember Chicken or Turkey Divan at my Grandmas when I was growing up. Used to really love the stuff and even became a fan of Stouffers version when I was single and not cooking.
scrambledhenfruit says
Making a weekly menu is something I really need to do. Between work, the gym and volunteering, I have precious little time to worry about what to make for dinner. The chicken divan looks really good- easy too. 🙂
teresa says
oh yum, i love the dijon in there!
Ann says
Menu planning is a great way to shop. Some weeks it works for me and some weeks it doesn't. I love Chicken Divan.
Taylor says
I've been making more of an effort to menu plan as well…all I can say is that some weeks have gone better than others! I'm looking forward to putting this on the menu in the coming weeks 🙂
kat says
I love this kind of comforting hotdish. I think doing a menu does make a huge difference especially since you can plan to use an ingredient in more than one dish instead of throwing stuff out.
grace says
i ate this at every church potluck we ever attended, but i didn't know it as chicken divan until i saw it on paula deen's show. goooood stuff.
Ashley says
This looks tasty!! I don't think I've ever had chicken divan…I've seen recipes for it for years, but I keep neglecting to make it. But this post has me drooling!
Pat Joyce says
Do I put the instant rice into the casserole not cooked?
Deborah says
Pat, yep – you put it into the cream mixture not cooked. It will cook as the casserole cooks.
Sonya says
I just wanted to vouch that this recipe is delicious! Based on the ingredients, I really didn’t expect this to be very exciting. I’m glad that I tried it, because it is awesome! It’s definitely a “comfort” food type dish, but not in a bland way – in a creamy, flavorful, cheesy way. My husband thought it was “great” and “definitely” something to make again. I highly recommend it!
Deborah says
Yay – thanks for letting me know. So glad you loved it!
Suellen says
Am I reading the recipe right? 450 degrees sounds so hot to me.
Deborah says
Yep – the temperature is correct. 🙂
Rebekah Briggs says
Does the chicken go in raw in this recipe ?
Deborah says
Yep – you put it in raw. 🙂
Allyson Gurney says
How long do you cook the chicken? Do you turn it and cook on all sides?
Angela says
Hi Deborah: This sounds very delicious, and also quick & E-Z. I plan to make it sometime this coming (very busy) week. Do you think it would turn out ok if I used Half & Half instead of Heavy Cream? I always try to cook healthy and ‘waist friendly’ whenever I can. I plan to use some other ‘topping’ for this casserole, since we’re NOT huge fans of Ritz Crackers. Perhaps “French’s” dry onions, but I’ll see.
April says
oh YUM! <3
★★★★★
Nancee says
Do you cook the rice beforehand? Or do you add it into the other ingredients uncooked??:?
I haven’t made Chicken Divan in years and am anxious to try your recipe.
Deborah says
Nope – you put the rice in dry. Just make sure you are using instant rice. 🙂 I hope you love it!
Tammy Klingler says
Made this tonight for the first time. I needed to use up some chicken and needed something easy. My family loved it!
★★★★★
Deborah says
Yay!! I’m so glad they loved it! 🙂