Easy Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan Recipe / Perfect Family Dinner

Pioneer Woman’s chicken divan transforms ordinary ingredients into a mouthwatering meal that promises pure comfort.

Cheesy, creamy textures mingle with tender protein and crisp vegetables in this classic casserole.

Home cooks adore its simplicity and crowd-pleasing flavor profile that makes dinnertime effortless.

The dish combines rich, hearty elements that speak to traditional American home cooking.

Warm, satisfying layers create a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that feel both nostalgic and exciting.

Families gather around this delectable creation, savoring each creamy, golden-crusted bite.

The magic happens when simple ingredients come together in perfect harmony: prepare to be delighted.

Why Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Divan is the Ultimate Comfort Casserole

• Savor Creamy Comfort: This Chicken Divan delivers a luxurious blend of velvety cheese sauce and tender chicken, creating a mouthwatering comfort food experience that wraps you in warmth.
• Perfectly Balanced Texture Explosion: Crisp Panko breadcrumbs provide a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, creamy casserole, offering a satisfying textural adventure in every single bite.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Winner: Whipped up in just 35 minutes, this recipe is a lifesaver for busy families, combining simple ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques to produce a delicious meal with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Versatile Dinner Champion: Easily adaptable to serve over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes, this Chicken Divan transforms into a complete meal that can please everyone from picky kids to hungry adults with its crowd-pleasing combination of protein, vegetables, and cheesy goodness.

What You’ll Need for Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Divan

• Chicken: Tender, shredded protein that provides the main substance of the dish, preferably using cooked and well-seasoned meat.
• Milk, Sour Cream: Creamy dairy components that create a rich, smooth sauce base for the casserole.

• Broccoli: Fresh green vegetable that adds nutrition and texture, best when blanched to maintain crisp and bright green color.

• Condensed Soup: Creamy base that helps bind ingredients and adds depth of flavor.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that melts beautifully and provides a tangy, rich taste to the casserole.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Dry Mustard, Pepper, Seasoning Salt: Essential spices that enhance overall flavor profile and add complexity to the dish.

• Panko Bread Crumbs: Crispy Japanese-style bread crumbs that create a golden, crunchy top layer.
• Butter: Melted ingredient that helps bread crumbs brown and adds richness to the topping.

How to Make Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Divan

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C), ensuring it reaches the perfect temperature for baking.

Step 2: Blanch The Broccoli

Boil water in a large pot and add broccoli, cooking for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain completely and set aside.

Step 3: Create Creamy Cheese Mixture

• Cheddar cheese
• Milk
• Sour cream
• Condensed soup
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Dry mustard
• Black pepper
• Seasoning salt

Whisk the ingredients until smooth and well-blended.

Step 4: Layer The Casserole

Mix cooked chicken and drained broccoli into the cheese mixture. Transfer everything to a 9×13-inch baking dish or 3-quart casserole pan. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese evenly across the top.

Step 5: Prepare Crunchy Topping

• Panko bread crumbs
• Melted butter

Stir until bread crumbs are completely coated and moistened.

Step 6: Bake The Casserole

Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. Look for lightly browned bread crumbs and bubbling edges, indicating it’s heated through.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Serve hot, optionally over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles for a complete meal. Savor the creamy, crunchy comfort food!

Pro Tips for Making Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Divan

• Customize Crunch: Crush kettle-style potato chips and sprinkle over the breadcrumb topping for an unexpected crispy layer.
• Spice Up Sauce: Incorporate smoked paprika or red pepper flakes to give the creamy base a subtle warmth and complexity.
• Layer with Extras: Roast additional vegetables like cauliflower or zucchini alongside broccoli to create more depth and nutritional variety.
• Cheese Swap: Replace cheddar with gruyère or fontina for a more sophisticated and rich cheesy flavor profile.
• Herb Infusion: Chop fresh thyme or tarragon and mix into the sauce to introduce a bright, aromatic element that elevates the entire dish.

How to Store Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Divan

• Freeze Smartly: Divide the casserole into individual portions before freezing. Wrap each portion tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Label with the date and contents to track freshness. This method prevents freezer burn and makes reheating individual servings a breeze.
• Refrigerate Carefully: Transfer the cooled Chicken Divan to an airtight glass or ceramic container. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to minimize air exposure, which prevents moisture loss and keeps the dish tasting fresh. Store in the refrigerator for maximum three days.
• Reheat with Precision: Thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator for best results. When ready to eat, cover with foil and warm in a preheated 350°F oven until heated through, typically 20-25 minutes.

Delicious Variations of Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Divan

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Divan: Replace dry mustard with chili powder and add diced green chiles. Swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese and top with sliced jalapeños for extra heat.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Divan: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh basil, and sun-dried tomatoes. Substitute Panko with herbed breadcrumbs and add a sprinkle of oregano.
• Lean Green Protein Divan: Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, add spinach alongside broccoli, and use grilled chicken breast. Top with toasted pine nuts for added crunch and nutritional boost.
• Creamy Mushroom Chicken Divan: Sauté mushrooms and mix into the cheese sauce. Include a splash of white wine and replace some cheddar with gruyère cheese for a rich, earthy flavor profile.

The Creamiest Casserole Ever: Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Divan

Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Divan emerges as more than a simple casserole – it’s a culinary symphony of comfort and flavor.

Classic American kitchens welcome this creamy, cheesy masterpiece with open arms.

Generations of families have cherished this hearty dish that transforms humble ingredients into pure deliciousness.

Chicken and broccoli unite under a golden breadcrumb blanket, promising warmth and satisfaction in each forkful.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe bridges gourmet techniques with home-style cooking.

Adventurous palates and traditional taste buds will fall in love – so grab those ingredients, channel your inner chef, and let passion guide your kitchen journey.

Hungry readers, your next dinner adventure awaits: share this recipe, comment with your twist, and spread the Chicken Divan love across your culinary community!

Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan brings creamy comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Cheesy broccoli and tender chicken nestle under a golden breadcrumb blanket, promising rich flavors and warm memories for family gatherings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 3 cups cooked chicken, cubed

Vegetables:

• 1 ½ pounds fresh broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• ½ cup milk
• ⅔ cup sour cream
• 10 ½ ounces (300 grams) condensed cream of mushroom soup or condensed chicken soup

Seasonings and Toppings:

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dry mustard
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon seasoning salt
• 3 tablespoons Panko bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even heating.
2. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Carefully submerge the broccoli florets and blanch for 2-3 minutes until they turn bright green and become slightly tender while maintaining a crisp texture. Immediately drain in a colander and rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together one cup of shredded cheddar cheese, whole milk, sour cream, condensed cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, ground black pepper, and seasoning salt until the mixture is smooth and well-incorporated.
4. Fold the cooked, shredded chicken and drained broccoli into the creamy cheese mixture, ensuring every piece is evenly coated. Transfer the combined ingredients to a three-quart casserole dish or a 9-by-13-inch baking pan, spreading them out in an even layer.
5. Sprinkle the remaining half cup of cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole, creating a uniform cheese layer.
6. In a separate small bowl, combine Panko bread crumbs with melted unsalted butter, stirring until the crumbs are thoroughly moistened and slightly clumpy.
7. Distribute the buttered bread crumbs evenly over the cheese-topped casserole, creating a golden, crispy topping.
8. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, watching for a light golden-brown bread crumb crust and bubbling edges that indicate the dish is heated through.
9. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes to allow the ingredients to settle. Serve piping hot, optionally accompanied by mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or egg noodles.

Notes

• Meal planning becomes effortless with this make-ahead casserole that can be prepped in advance and baked when ready.
• Condensed soup acts as a magical binding agent, creating a luxurious sauce that elevates the entire dish’s flavor profile.
• Panko breadcrumbs deliver an irresistible golden crunch, transforming an ordinary chicken casserole into a texture-packed experience.
• Versatile protein options like rotisserie or leftover chicken make this recipe a lifesaver for busy home cooks seeking quick dinner solutions.
• Strategic seasoning blend with garlic powder, onion powder, and dry mustard introduces complex layers of flavor that dance across your taste buds.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg