You will love this chicken divan, an old school casserole from a YouTube cooking video. This is ideal for busy families. You can prep it in the morning and bake it in the evening. The main flavor here comes from curry powder in the creamy sauce, and you can make it super quickly by using rotisserie chicken.
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Curry powder is such an important staple in the pantry, so you can rustle up dishes like this. I always keep some in my pantry, you will be glad that you did. You can add it to just about anything. You will also love the crunchy topping on this that finishes the dish off perfectly.
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Key Takeaways
What Is Chicken Divan?
A Brief History
Chicken divan is one of those recipes that older cooks will know but it may be unfamiliar to the younger ones. It's all about the curry powder to give maximum flavor and make this dish taste like something from a restaurant. This is one of these dishes that skips a generation and it comes back around.
Curry powder is under used for home cooks. I love adding this to soups and even stews, to get as much as I can into the dish.
This again is another one of these make a hit meals, which is a great skill to have. There's nothing like getting home and dinner is already ready.
Why Families Love It
What Goes Into It
Collecting Your Cooking Supplies
Basic Kitchen Must-Haves
To get your ingredients ready, you will need cream of chicken soup and cream of mushroom soup, some meal, sour cream, and, of course, the curry powder. Adding ingredients like lemon juice, Gruyère cheese, a little chicken broth, and butter helps complete the dish, all topped off with crunchy crackers and panko.
This is a great way to use up canned cream soups. One of the main reasons I always like to keep a couple in the pantry is that Gruyère is often thought of as a fancy cheese. I love it and it really helps make this dish a bit more special.
I try to use fresh vegetables if I can, but this will still work with frozen veg. Always keep a mixed bag of frozen vegetables in your fridge; you'll be amazed at what you can put them in.
As for the topping on my casserole, you can't go wrong with something crunchy and cheesy. It's tried and tested, and it's always a hit.
Choosing Between Fresh and Frozen Vegetables
Selecting Your Chicken
Creating The Creamy Base
Building That Perfect Flavor Blend
For that creamy base, we start with the two canned soups. They work so well together, and a little extra creaminess comes from adding sour cream; if you can stick to using Gruyère, it is nice and nutty and elevates the dish.
But if you can't find Gruyère, use whatever cheese you have. I tend to use parmesan on top of casseroles like this, and it's nice and cheesy but also helps with a little bit of crunch when melted. Another tip for elevating your casseroles is to use fresh herbs. I try to use herbs in everything I cook; it just makes your food a little bit more sophisticated.
Picking The Right Cheese
Including That Curry Touch
Putting It All Together
Assembling Your Casserole
To start off, mix your soup mix, sour cream, lemon juice, Greek yogurt, and curry powder, then add your broth in small amounts until everything is smooth. Then it is time to sear the chicken; remember to spray the pan with oil so you can get a slice out without sticking.
Add some sauce, then check the broccoli, then add the rest of the sauce; just finish off with the cheese and breadcrumbs. When making sauces, I always like to try and go for a double-cream, heavy-cream consistency- not too thick, definitely not too thin either.
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Getting That Perfect Creamy Texture
Using Fresh Broccoli Instead of Frozen
Crispy Top That Makes It Special
Buttery Cracker Crumbs Meet Crunchy Panko
The crispy top on this casserole is what really makes this dish. Using equal parts cracker crumbs and panko, along with melted butter, helps make sure it is extra crunchy. Some people dot the butter on top, but I've always found this not to work as well. Using cheddar here is great, as it gives a nice bite and melts well.
You can customize this dish in many ways, but try not to skip the topping, as this is the part people love. The creamy filling combined with the crunchy top just works.
Sharp Cheddar For Extra Flavor
Secret For That Perfect Golden Crust
Baking And Serving Tips
Achieving That Golden Bubbly Top
My tips for baking this successfully are to work on the edges of the dish so they bubble, and the top should be nice and golden, with sweetly browned and melted cheese. The equal 50/50 ratio of crackers and panko is slightly different from the original recipe, but it works so well.
When it's out of the oven, let it rest for around 10 to 15 minutes. When it comes out of the oven, it will be piping hot and far too hot to eat straight away. This is because they always benefit from a brief rest to relax and reach the perfect temperature for eating.
The best way to do all this is to always keep an eye out for the edges bubbling and the top turning golden. Carrying the recipe around, you can always try different substitutions and add various spices and herbs, as we do.
Make sure you let it rest and be careful, as not doing so can easily burn your mouth with such a hot, bubbling dish.
Letting It Cool Before Digging In
Sneaky Sampling Technique
Preparing Ahead & Sharing with Family
Getting Ready for Hectic Weekdays
Casseroles are great for making ahead, and you can do that with this one by assembling it in the morning, then baking it in the evening. I am a big believer in meal prepping and getting as much done beforehand. Try it; you'll thank me later.
You can prep this by making the sauce that I mentioned before and pre-blanching your broccoli ahead of time. You can either pre-shred the chicken or use a rotisserie chicken, which can save even more time. It's a shortcut I highly recommend.
I tend to follow this process when making pasta bakes for the whole week. It takes so much pressure off when you get home and have most of the work done, and then dinner will be on the table soon.
Time-Saving Steps:
Bringing Meals to Friends and Family
Storing for Future Meals
Freezing Guidelines:
Wrapping Up And Top Recipes
The great thing about chicken divan is it doesn't really go out of fashion, and it's perfect for busy families, especially when using shortcuts like rotisserie chicken. Remember to keep the key ingredients, such as canned soup, curry powder, and your favorite cheese, in your pantry, and this dish will never be far away. To make it even easier, try using a disposable pan so you not only get dinner ready quickly but also have minimal cleanup.
This is a great example of comfort food, but comfort food doesn't have to be boring. Adding herbs and spices, such as curry powder, can make dishes like this feel special.
Make-ahead tips:
