Dinner #3 of the 12 Dinners of Christmas -- Divine Chicken Divan


Tonight's dinner is a perfect make-ahead meal. The dish can be assembled early in the day and popped in the oven before dinner time. It can even be frozen, thawed overnight in the refrigerator and then baked and served.

Divine Chicken Divan is a delicious casserole. I know the word casserole is one some cooks try to avoid, but this one does not include canned soup or tater tots. Chicken, steamed broccoli, and rice are combined with light wine and cheese sauce and baked with a crunchy Parmesan topping.

We LOVED this dinner. I don't make casseroles very often, but this one was not heavy and gloppy, cheesy tasting. I got one request from My Middle One to add more of the topping. Duly noted.

Make two Divine Chicken Divans. One for dinner tonight and one to put in the freezer for later. You'll thank me.



Divine Chicken Divan

serves 6

1 1/4 cups rice, either white or brown
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped, about 1 cup
3 garlic cloves, chopped
3 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup milk
3 tablespoons corn starch
1/4 cup white wine
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 cups of broccoli florets, steamed
4 cups of cooked chicken, shredded in large chunks
1/3 cup panko
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook rice according to package directions. Place cooked rice in a 2-quart baking dish. Set aside.

Heat a medium sized saucepan to medium high and add olive oil and onions. Saute for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for an additional minute. Add the chicken broth and milk and bring to a boil. Combine the cornstarch and wine in a small bowl and whisk into the saucepan. Cook until sauce thickens, about 3 - 4 minutes. Add the cheddar cheese and whisk to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in broccoli and chicken.

Spoon chicken mixture over rice. Combine panko and Parmesan cheese and sprinkle over chicken and rice. Cover baking dish with foil.

Bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 8 - 10 minutes or until top is browned.

Note - This dish can be assembled ahead of time, unbaked, and covered and refrigerated. When ready to serve, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake dish for 30 - 35 minutes covered with foil. Then uncover and bake an additional 8 - 10 minutes. It can also be frozen. Thaw in refrigerator for 24 hours, then follow the refrigerated baking directions.

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21 comments:

kat said...

We Minnesotans love a good hotdish even when it doesn't include tater tots or cream of something soup!

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

I am not a huge casserole fan either but I would definitely try this. Looks great.

Martha said...

Great idea. I've made this recipe before, but yours looks better than mine. How do you cook your chicken?

Colleen said...

This has definitely been starred - it looks delicious!

Jen said...

This is one from my childhood - it's definitely a winner!

Anonymous said...

That looks really good! And I still have plenty of leftover turkey. I love casseroles that don't require canned soup to be creamy and delicious.

MaryBeth said...

I love a good casserole dish, they are so simple, quick and easy. And of course really good, this is no exception. Your dish looks totally delish!

Jenny said...

Looks terrific! We have this dish often at my Mom's and there's never any leftovers.

Robin said...

I love chicken divan and have yet to find a good recipe for it. This will have to go in my rotation for sure. Can you believe my old icky recipe called for cream of something or other soup. Yikes!!

Maria said...

I love all of your dinner ideas!

Anonymous said...

Hi - I made this last night and it was fantastic! Also, the ready-to-print shopping list is uber convenient - you're a genius! I've been meaning to say I made the salmon cakes too - yum! Thanks so much for all of this.

Anonymous said...

I actually like casseroles when they're done right, like this one. Fresh but still comforting and tasty :).

amycaseycooks said...

stefanie - so glad you liked my recipes. I love hearing feedback. Keep reading for more new recipes with shopping lists!!Anything to help making your shopping easier!!!

Unknown said...

Delicious! (And nicely complemented by a glass of the white wine.) Though, I agree with your Middle One, I could've gone for a tad more of the topping.

After cooking two of your recipes (the Friday Night Paella was also great), I've began preaching your site to the neighbors. :)

Keep 'em coming.

amycaseycooks said...

liquidetash - wow!! thanks for the compliments. I am so glad you have liked my recipes.

Colleen said...

I finally made this and just posted it!

Anonymous said...

Made it last night...Yummy!

Creative Classroom Core said...

Sounds fantastic! I will be making it tomorrow!

Girl Fisher said...

Yum! Made this tonight for my casserole loving husband. I've wanted to make Chicken Divan for him and was glad to find a recipe that didn't call for a cream soup!

amycaseycooks said...

girl fisher - so so so happy that your casserole-loving husband got a casserole for dinner. Check out my chicken pot pie and tuna noodle casserole recipes for more dishes without canned soup.

pookiepantry said...

I made this dish this past weekend, and it was a great success... thanks for posting such great recipes!