Chicken Divan | Chicken Divan Casserole With Noodles

Chicken Divan Casserole is a classic dish that has been enjoyed by families for generations. It's a comforting and flavorful meal that is perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or special occasions.

What Makes This The Perfect Family-Friendly Meal?

• Fast. Use rotisserie chicken and quick-cooking noodles to make a delicious and filling casserole the whole family will love.
• Easy. Cook some noodles, create a sauce, combine all of the ingredients, top with some breadcrumbs, and bake to perfection.
• Versatile. Use some of my simple and tasty variations below to switch up this dish without sacrificing flavor.
• Budget-friendly. Use some affordable kitchen staples to create a dish that feels brand new and comforting.

Delicious and comforting Chicken Divan Casserole is sure to become a family favorite. This recipe can easily be adjusted to your taste preferences, so feel free to add or remove any ingredients you like.

Why Do They Call It Chicken Divan?

Chicken Divan is named after the Divan Parisienne Restaurant in New York City where it was first created in the early 1900s.

The dish was invented by the restaurant's head chef, who named it after a play called "The Girl of the Golden West" which featured a character named Lady Divan. The dish became a popular menu item at the restaurant and eventually spread to other restaurants and homes across the country.

How Do You Spice Up A Bland Chicken Casserole?

In an effort to avoid using that creepy canned soup, I omitted cream of chicken soup in this recipe and included cream cheese to help mimic the creaminess of the canned soup.

If you find that this doesn't do enough to replace that classic Chicken Divan flavor, you can try a few of these substitutions instead:

• Use my homemade Keto Cream of Mushroom Soup. I have an absolutely scrumptious recipe for a cream of mushroom soup that is incredibly flavorful and nutritious. If you aren't afraid of a little extra work, you can whip some up and enjoy the leftovers as a savory bowl of soup for lunch the next day!
• Stir in some granulated chicken bouillon. If what you're missing is that robust chicken flavor that a can provides, sprinkle in a tablespoon of powdered chicken bouillon and stir it into the sour cream and mayo mix before tossing the broccoli, chicken, and noodles with it.
• Use the canned stuff. There's nothing saying that you can't use canned cream of chicken soup. Just because something isn't my personal preference doesn't mean that it can't be something that you enjoy. So, if you want to use it, just omit the cream cheese and add in a can.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Rotisserie Chicken- It makes this dish a quick weeknight recipe without a ton of extra steps and prep time.
• Egg Noodles- These noodles are quick-cooking and have a soft texture that pairs well with the creamy textures of the other ingredients in the dish.
• Cream Cheese- Is used in place of the traditional canned cream of chicken soup to add a pop of flavor and creaminess.
• Broccoli florets- Adds nutrition, color, and texture to the casserole.
• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Parmesan cheese- Has an earthy and salty taste that sings with the subtle flavors of the other ingredients in this chicken casserole.
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Thyme
• Salt and pepper
• Cheddar cheese- Creates a cheesy layer under the crispy crust of the panko.
• Panko breadcrumbs- Create a fun texture that is a lovely addition to the top of the casserole.
• Butter- Helps the bread crumbs crisp up when baked on top.

How To Make Chicken Divan Casserole

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Boil a large pot of water and cook the egg noodles until al dente.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well until the ingredients are fully combined.
4. Add the shredded chicken, cooked noodles, and blanched broccoli florets to the mixing bowl and mix everything together until they are fully coated in the sauce.
5. Pour the mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
6. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the chicken and broccoli mixture.
7. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and melted butter. Mix well until the breadcrumbs are fully coated in the butter.
8. Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the cheddar cheese.
9. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
10. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Variations

• Make it low carb. If you're living a low carb lifestyle, a chicken casserole with traditional noodles in it and topped with breadcrumbs simply isn't an option. You can try my recipe for Broccoli Chicken Casserole which is similar to this chicken divan dish, but modified to be low carb!
• Use rice instead of noodles. If you prefer the bite of rice over noodles, you can cook rice in your Instant Pot and use it in place of the noodles. Other than this one simple substitution, the cooking instructions remain the same.
• Add more veggies. Casseroles are the perfect opportunity to sneak more veggies into your meals without even realizing you're eating them! While this may not be an issue for most of your family, some of the more selective eaters may need extra help. Cauliflower, peas, corn, and even julienned carrots can be cooked through in a short amount of time and make a nice addition to the dish.

What To Serve With It

Chicken Divan is a classic casserole dish that is both delicious and filling. Here are some ideas for sides to serve with it to make it a complete meal:

1. Roasted Vegetables- Roasted vegetables such as carrots, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts can add a pop of color and nutrition to your meal.
2. Salad- A simple green salad with a light dressing can balance out the richness of the casserole and provide a refreshing contrast.
3. Bread- A slice of crusty bread or a roll can be a great accompaniment to Chicken Divan. It can help soak up the sauce and add some texture to the meal.
4. Mashed Potatoes- Creamy mashed potatoes can complement the creamy chicken casserole and add some extra comfort to the meal.

Feel free to experiment with some different side dishes and see what works best for you and your dinner guests!

How Long Does It Last?

Chicken Divan will typically last for about 3-4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator.

To maximize its shelf life, be sure to transfer the casserole to an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before storing it.

Can You Freeze It?

If you have leftovers that you don't think you'll be able to eat within 3-4 days, consider freezing the casserole. Let the casserole cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.

It will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat the casserole, place it in the refrigerator overnight to completely defrost. Once it is defrosted, pop it back in the oven at 350F until warmed through.

For even quicker heating and to prevent drying it out, consider freezing the casserole in individual portions.

More Craveable Casseroles

If you love a quick and easy meal, there's nothing better than a great casserole. To keep dinner feeling new and exciting without adding a ton of extra work, check out some of these other casserole recipes that your family is sure to love!

• Cheeseburger Casserole
• Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
• Reuben Casserole
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
• Keto Breakfast Casserole

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