This classic Chicken Divan brings comfort food to a whole new level in just 50 minutes. A perfectly balanced blend of flavors and textures, this family-favorite casserole delivers 12g of protein per serving while keeping calories reasonable at 369 kcal.
Whether you’re planning a cozy weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, this timeless recipe strikes the ideal balance between nutritious and delicious. The 20-minute prep time makes it an achievable option even on busy evenings.
Ingredients for Classic Chicken Divan
- Chicken: 2 large boneless skinless breasts, perfect for even cooking
- Rice: 2 cups long-grain wild rice, adds wonderful texture and nutty flavor
- Broccoli: 2-3 cups fresh florets, steam until tender-crisp
- Sauce Base: 2 cups milk and ¼ cup cornstarch for perfect thickness
- Seasonings: Blend of kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder
- Flavor Enhancers: 3 Tbsp butter, chicken bouillon paste, dried parsley
- Creamy Elements: 1 cup mayonnaise, curry powder, fresh lemon juice
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Rice Preparation: Cook your choice of rice following package directions until fluffy
- Sauce Making: Blend milk with cornstarch, add seasonings and butter, cook until thickened. Finish with mayo, lemon juice, and curry
- Chicken Cooking: Season and cook chicken in hot skillet until perfectly done, then rest and chop
- Assembly: Layer rice in 9×13″ dish, top with chicken and steamed broccoli
- Finishing: Pour sauce evenly over layers and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes until bubbly
Variations & Substitutions
This classic chicken divan can be easily adapted to your preferences! For a lighter version, swap the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. You can use any rice variety – white, brown, or wild rice all work beautifully.
Short on fresh broccoli? Frozen broccoli florets work just as well – just thaw and steam them first. The curry powder adds a lovely warm flavor, but you can start with less if you’re new to curry, or add more if you love bold spices!
Make-Ahead & Storage
This casserole is perfect for busy weeknights! You can prep all the components up to 24 hours ahead – cook the rice, steam the broccoli, and make the sauce. Store them separately in the fridge, then assemble and bake when ready to serve.
Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. When reheating, add a splash of milk if the sauce seems too thick, and warm in the microwave or oven until heated through.
Serving Suggestions
This cozy casserole is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad dressed with light vinaigrette. For extra crunch, try topping the casserole with buttery breadcrumbs or crushed crackers before baking.
Want to stretch the meal further? Serve with warm dinner rolls to soak up the creamy sauce. A glass of crisp white wine makes this comfort food feel extra special!
Chicken Divan
Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Saucepan
- Skillet
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts or about 7 chicken tenders
- 2 cups long-grain wild rice or white or brown rice
- 2-3 cups fresh broccoli florets steamed
Sauce
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon paste
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- 1 cup mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon curry powder or more, to taste
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Cook rice according to package instructions. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan whisk together milk and cornstarch. Add butter, bouillon, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and parsley. Cook over medium heat until it starts to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in mayonnaise, lemon juice and curry powder.
- Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper and cook in a hot skillet until no longer pink, flipping once. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before chopping into pieces.
- Spoon the cooked rice into a 9×13” pan or similar size casserole dish. Add cooked chicken and steamed broccoli on top of the rice.
- Spoon Sauce over the top of the chicken and rice. Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes
