Today I am sharing one of my family’s favorite meals for over forty years, Easy Chicken Divan – Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole. A comfort food favorite since I was a kid.
Easy Chicken Divan
This classic casserole is layered with rice, chicken and broccoli, smothered in a rich creamy mushroom sauce, topped with cheddar cheese then baked to bubbly, cheesy perfection.
This is my go-to casserole to send to family and friends when babies arrive, when there is illness or loss. It’s like sending a hug through the casserole.
What You Need to Make Easy Chicken Divan
Chicken, Broccoli, Rice (White or Brown), Long Grain Wild Rice, Cream of Mushroom Soup, Mayonnaise, Cheddar Cheese, Salt and Pepper.
HOW TO MAKE EASY CHICKEN DIVAN
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish or comparable casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
In a medium size bowl, mix mayo and mushroom soup, set aside. Next, layer your casserole in this order – Rice, Wild Rice, Chicken, Broccoli, Sauce and top with Cheddar Cheese.
Cover with foil and place in oven on middle rack and bake for approximately 30 minutes, until completely heated through. Serve hot. Squeeze fresh lemon juice on top (optional), salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
This is a great recipe to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Rotisserie chicken is fantastic too.
Easy Chicken Divan (Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 -2 lbs chicken breast (or turkey), cooked, diced or shredded
- 1 box Long Grain and Wild Rice, cooked according to package (I use Uncle Ben’s )
- 3 cups brown or white rice, cooked according to package (I make 4 servings on the package, a little less than 3 cups of cooked rice)
- 2 cans cream of mushroom soup (10 3/4 ounce cans)
- 1/2 cup of mayonnaise (not Miracle Whip)
- 10 oz bag of frozen broccoli florets cooked according to package (cut into bite size pieces)
- 1 1/2 – 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- fresh lemon juice (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish or comparable casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
In a medium size bowl, mix mayo and mushroom soup, set aside. Next, layer your casserole in this order – Rice, Wild Rice, Chicken, Broccoli, Sauce and top with Cheddar Cheese.
Cover with foil and place in oven on middle rack and bake for approximately 30 minutes, until completely heated through. Serve hot. Squeeze fresh lemon juice on top (optional), salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
Tips
- To prevent the foil from sticking to the cheese, spray your foil with non-stick cooking spray.
- Substitute sour cream for mayonnaise. I always make a separate small casserole for my little one with the egg allergy.
- You can use light mayonnaise and soups.
- Substitute cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom.
- Use any rice you prefer – all white, all brown, wild rice or mix them up.
- Mushrooms are also a great addition to this casserole. Fresh or canned.
- Great recipe for leftover Thanksgiving turkey.
I never hear complaints when I serve the leftovers the next day.
This is one dish that never goes to waste!
Thanks so very much for stopping by!
Cheers!
Cheers!
Pamela
This is a wonderful dish. I have been making it for years. For a change add curry powder in with the mayo. I Use a tbls. but we like it, use less or more … to your taste. I also leave the cheese off (less fat). I top it with crumbled Ritz crackers with a few bits of butter on top of the Ritz. its yummy, it’s almost a whole new dish.
Thank you Coreen B. for sharing this with me so many years ago.
ckl616
I'm waiting to hear about the double rice ingredients, as well!
It must be either us Wild Rice pkg mix, OR use Brown Rice!?? Wouldn't you think??
Anonymous
According to your recipe you have rice listed twice (as is below copies from your recipe)
1 Box Long Grain and Wild Rice, cooked according to package (I use Uncle Ben's Fast Cook)
3 Cups Brown Rice, cooked according to package (I make 4 servings on the package –
a little less than 3 cups of cooked rice)
It is an and/or rice, I mean I don't remember how many servings are in the 1 Box Long Grain and Wild Rice,
but I'm sure a couple servings. Then we are to make 3 more cups of rice. Isn't that a little over-kill on the rice. That just sounds like a lot of rice. I WANT TO MAKE THIS, BUT WILL WAIT FOR A RESPONSE.
Thanks, Janet
Anonymous
My chicken divan is similar to this. I arrange defrosted, drained broccoli spears in the bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish. I then layer pieces of cooked chicken breast ontop of that. In a medium saucepan, heat 2 cans cream of chicken soup, 1 cup mayo, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, lemon juice, and 1/4 tsp. curry powder. Pour over the layered broccoli and chicken. Sprinkle seasoned, crushed dry stuffing mix on top and drizzle with melted butter. When baked serve over rice.
Anonymous
How long do you bake yours to get the raw broccoli cooked?
Lucy Béliveau
Dear Mary,
What a lovely bologna you have! I just found you today and am very impressed with your cordiality! The recipies are beautiful and simple and fun…a great combination! My husband loves to cook and bake, so I will make sure I "introduce" you to him very soon!
katherine peas
looks soo good I saw you on the Adventures of a DIY mom link party
marty
This looks so delicious!
Donna
OH!! Looks delish.
Mary
Hi Donna – Thank you 🙂 It's a favorite!
It's All Connected
Total comfort food! Thanks for sharing the recipe! ~ Maureen
Mary
Hi Maureen,
I need this dish for today – it's cold and rainy, with the remnants of Sandy headed our way on Tuesday.
Thanks for the visit and sweet words. I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday!
Natalie @ NorthShore Days
Oh yum!!!!! I'm coming to visit …..
Mary
Door is open, your room is ready! :O)
Danni Baird @ Silo Hill Farm
Yummmm Mary!! Can I share a room with Mel when she moves in with you??!! We are assuming you cook like this all the time!
Mary
Your room is ready! :O) I LOVE to feed people…so I cook and bake a lot :O)
Thanks for always being so supportive and sweet, Danni!
Hugs to you.
Mel@Mellywood's Mansion
Oh Yum, Mary, can I move in with you, or do you deliver?
CAn you tell me how many ounces in the box of rice please.
Mary
For the Long Grain & Wild Rice – 6.2 OZ in box. It makes 3 cups once it's cooked :O)
If you have any other questions, Mel, Let me know! Thanks for the sweet words!
Pam
Hi Mary. I love this casserole. You just reminded me, I need to make this soon. This is one of my top ten things to make! xo Pam
Mary
Hi Pam,
Me too! I made this last weekend and the leftovers are long gone. Looking at the photos is just making me hungry! I only make this once or twice a year – you need to make it soon!
Thanks for the visit! I hope you have a great night!