Description
Paula Deen’s Chicken Divan delivers classic Southern comfort with creamy broccoli and tender chicken blanketed in a rich, cheesy sauce. Comfort meets elegance in this hearty casserole that brings warmth and satisfaction to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 6 cups cooked and shredded chicken
Vegetables and Dairy:
- 2 (10 ounces / 284 grams) packages chopped frozen broccoli
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 2 (10 ¾ ounces / 305 grams) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- ½ cup soft breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even heating.
- Defrost the frozen broccoli in the microwave for approximately 2 minutes, then carefully drain excess moisture and arrange the florets in an even layer across an 11×7-inch (28x18cm) casserole dish.
- Distribute the cooked, shredded chicken uniformly over the broccoli layer, creating a consistent protein base.
- Craft the creamy sauce by whisking together condensed cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, sharp cheddar cheese, fresh lemon juice, aromatic curry powder, kosher salt, ground black pepper, and dry white wine until the mixture becomes silky and well-integrated.
- Gently cascade the sauce over the chicken and broccoli, using a spatula to ensure every ingredient receives a light coating, then smooth the surface for an even appearance.
- Create a crispy topping by thoroughly combining grated Parmesan cheese, dried breadcrumbs, and melted unsalted butter in a separate mixing bowl.
- Sprinkle the seasoned breadcrumb mixture evenly across the casserole, covering the entire surface with a light, promising crunch.
- Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and bubbling edges that indicate perfect doneness.
Notes
- Crispy, golden topping starts with thoroughly mixing breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and melted butter, ensuring every crumb gets coated for maximum crunch.
- Perfectly shredded chicken creates the ideal texture, using forks or a stand mixer to break down meat into uniform, sauce-absorbing pieces.
- Adding a splash of milk or chicken broth rescues a potentially thick sauce, creating smooth, even coating throughout the entire dish.
- Fully thawing and draining broccoli prevents unwanted wateriness, with a quick pat using paper towels removing excess moisture that could ruin the casserole’s consistency.
- Letting the hot casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking allows the sauce to set, making serving smoother and helping flavors meld together beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: Not specified
- Sodium: 2,508mg
- Fat: 20.9g
- Saturated Fat: 7.6g
- Carbohydrates: 20.7g
- Fiber: 3.2g
- Protein: 43.8g
- Cholesterol: 114.2mg