Chicken Divan is a wonderful chicken casserole
The traditional version boasts pre-cooked chicken chunks, broccoli, Mornay sauce (a velvety cheese sauce), and a ton of cheese.
To make it healthier we make a lighter sauce, a hint of cheese for flavor, and then pair the broccoli with chicken breast.
Why you should try Chicken Divan:
- It’s delicious. The creamy sauce takes humble chicken and broccoli to the next level.
- This dish shines in its ability to repurpose leftover chicken, and it’s incredibly freezer-friendly meals. It withstands freezing and thawing exceptionally well.
Servings: 4
Serving size: 260 g.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups pre-cooked chicken breast cubes, 300 g.
- 2 cups boiled broccoli florets, 250 g.
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 50 g.
- ½ cup shredded swiss cheese, 50 g.
- 1 ½ cups milk (about 355 ml)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes. Marinate the chicken cubes with salt, pepper, and a dash of olive oil for 30 minutes. In a hot skillet with a bit of oil, sear the marinated chicken cubes until golden brown. Ensure even browning on all sides.
2. Cut the broccoli into florets. Steam the broccoli for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp. Immediately transfer to ice water to maintain color and texture.
3. In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat. Mix cornstarch with a little cold milk to make a smooth paste. Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the heated milk, stirring continuously until it thickens. Add shredded mozzarella and swiss cheese, stirring until well combined. Season the cheese mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Assembling Chicken Divan. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a baking dish, layer the pre-cooked chicken cubes evenly. Place the steamed broccoli florets over the chicken layer. Pour the cheese mixture over the chicken and broccoli, ensuring an even coating.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Variations and Substitutions:
Modifying this recipe isn’t a frequent practice for me, apart from occasionally incorporating additional vegetables or swapping broccoli for cauliflower. While cauliflower lacks the vibrant green hue of broccoli, it adds a creamier and more inviting visual appeal.
Tips and Tricks Section for making Chicken Divan:
1. Chicken Prep: Start with fresh, trimmed chicken breasts. Cut them into bite-sized cubes, marinate with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper for 30 minutes. Sear in a hot, lightly oiled skillet until golden brown on all sides, ensuring a delightful blend of crispiness and tenderness.
2. Broccoli Brilliance: Cut broccoli into florets and steam for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp. Avoid overcooking. Immediately transfer to ice water to preserve the vibrant green color and crisp texture. Follow these steps to enhance your pre-cooked chicken and broccoli, creating a perfect Chicken Divan every time.
Related Recipes
WW Points
Grilled skinless boneless chicken breast 0 points
Cooked broccoli 0 points
Fresh mozzarella cheese 5 points
swiss cheese 10 points
Cornstarch 2 points
Olive oil 1 point
Table salt 0 points
Black pepper 0 points
Chicken Divan
Ingredients
- 2 cups pre-cooked chicken breast cubes, 300 g.
- 2 cups boiled broccoli florets, 250 g.
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 50 g.
- ½ cup shredded swiss cheese, 50 g.
- 1 ½ cups milk (about 355 ml)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes. Marinate the chicken cubes with salt, pepper, and a dash of olive oil for 30 minutes. In a hot skillet with a bit of oil, sear the marinated chicken cubes until golden brown. Ensure even browning on all sides.
- Cut the broccoli into florets. Steam the broccoli for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp. Immediately transfer to ice water to maintain color and texture.
- In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat. Mix cornstarch with a little cold milk to make a smooth paste. Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the heated milk, stirring continuously until it thickens. Add shredded mozzarella and swiss cheese, stirring until well combined. Season the cheese mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assembling Chicken Divan. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a baking dish, layer the pre-cooked chicken cubes evenly. Place the steamed broccoli florets over the chicken layer. Pour the cheese mixture over the chicken and broccoli, ensuring an even coating.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
