Chicken Divan Casserole

Nealey Dozier

Chicken Divan Casserole

The South has long reigned supreme as casserole country and is notorious for using every canned "cream of" soup imaginable in recipes.

Although Chicken Divan Casserole originated in New York at the Divan Parisien, Southern community cookbooks sure did take the original Chicken Divan recipe and run with it.

If you like to keep processed foods to a minimum but still love cozy casseroles, all you need to do is reach into your French repertoire -- thank you, mother sauces -- and whip up a simple Mornay sauce (a bechamel sauce with the addition of cheese). Spike it with a little cream sherry and season with salt and pepper. Pour the cheesy sauce over chicken and broccoli, sprinkle a little salty Parmesan on top for color, and bake up the perfect winter comfort food.

Chicken Divan Casserole Recipe

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 80 minutes

Yield: Serves 6 to 8

Chicken Divan Casserole Recipe Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 2 pounds)

2 heads of broccoli (approximately 2 1/2-3 pounds)

4 tablespoons butter

5 tablespoons flour

2 cups scalded milk

1 cup grated Parmesan, divided

1 cup grated Gruyere

3 tablespoons cream sherry

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Chicken Divan Casserole Recipe Directions

Add chicken breasts to a large pot.

Add water to cover, season with salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cover. Simmer until cooked through, and internal temperature has reached 160 F.

Remove chicken from pot, reserving broth. Cool and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. (Feel free to use 4 cups of rotisserie or leftover chicken, if desired.)

Stem broccoli and cut into 1- to 2-inch florets.

Bring chicken broth back to a boil and add broccoli (adding water if necessary).

Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until broccoli is bright and tender, about 2 to 3 minutes. Strain broccoli and set aside.

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Melt butter in a thick saucepan on medium-low heat.

Add flour and whisk until smooth (and flour taste is cooked out), about three minutes.

Reduce heat to low.

Pour in scalded milk and cook until thickened, approximately three to five minutes.

Mix in 1/2 cup of Parmesan and one cup of Gruyere and stir until creamy. Add sherry, salt, and pepper.

Remove from heat and set aside.

Butter the bottom and sides of an oblong casserole dish.

Layer half of the broccoli and chicken and cover with half of the cheese sauce. Repeat.

Sprinkle remaining Parmesan on casserole and bake until bubbly and golden brown, approximately 35-40 minutes.

Serve the Chicken Divan Casserole Recipe with white rice.

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Chicken Divan Casserole - Chicken Divan Recipe

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