The Proper Supper Ultimate Chicken Divan Casserole

Ready for a Proper Supper? The Ultimate Comfort Chicken Divan

Oh, honestly, is there anything better when it’s raining outside than a proper, cheesy helping of Comfort Food ? I don't think so, mate.

That's why we’re tackling the king of Weeknight chicken bake today: Chicken Divan (Chicken and Broccoli . This isn't just any old casserole, though.

This is a truly proper supper recipe .

Why Bother Making Casserole?

I totally get it. Many of us grew up on a Chicken and broccoli casserole recipe that used that infamous tin of cream soup.

Bless those busy mums who made it! But we are going full gourmet today. We are ditching the cans entirely.

We are showing you How to make Chicken Divan truly magnificent. This recipe takes this retro dish and creates an elevated classic casserole that tastes so fresh, you’ll forget it was ever a convenience food.

Our Secret Weapon: The Sauce

The real magic here is the sauce. It is everything. We are building a genuine cheesy béchamel sauce from scratch .

I know, talking about a Roux sauce tutorial sounds a bit fancy, but trust me, it’s dead simple. A roux is just butter and flour.

If you can stir, you can make this. It creates a velvety, lump free base that simply screams luxury.

We load that béchamel up with two fantastic cheeses. We use sharp Cheddar for flavour depth and lovely, nutty Gruyère and cheddar recipe goodness for that incredible melting quality.

You get that gorgeous stringy pull when you serve it.

Quick Prep for a Hug in a Dish

This casserole looks complex, but it’s actually a swift Weeknight chicken bake . Assuming you have some pre-cooked chicken ready, the active prep time is just 20 minutes.

It bakes in about 30 minutes. That means a hearty, beautiful meal on the table in under an hour. It serves six people, making it ideal for feeding a hungry family.

It’s perfect for a Sunday dinner or a damp Tuesday evening when you need a hug in a dish.

Why bother with this old-school dish? Well, aside from being pure, unadulterated Comfort Food , this meal is packed with protein and sneaky veggies.

Did you know broccoli is a fantastic source of Vitamin C? It's the best way to get those bright green florets into fussy eaters! Learning How to make Chicken Divan this way changes everything.

Get ready to ditch the soup can forever!

What You Need: Gathering the Troops for This Proper Supper

Right, now for the guts of the recipe. If you want this elevated classic casserole to be the ultimate comfort food , the ingredients matter.

This isn't your grandma’s canned soup special. This Chicken Divan (Chicken and Broccoli is a proper supper recipe that requires good quality basics.

We are making a seriously decadent, proper food hug.

Main Players: Chicken and Green Goodness

To make this quick weeknight chicken bake , using pre-cooked chicken is brilliant. You’ll need about 4 cups (600g) of cooked chicken, diced or shredded.

Honestly, chicken thighs give the best flavour, but breast meat works fine.

For the greens, 1 lb (450g) of fresh broccoli florets is ideal. The quality indicator here is colour they should be deep, vibrant green.

If you use frozen, I beg you, thaw and drain them completely. Soggy casserole is grim. We want that nice snap!

The Hero: Cheesy Béchamel Sauce Essentials

The entire success of this dish hinges on the cheesy béchamel sauce from scratch . Don't be intimidated! It’s easier than you think.

The key measurements for the start of our roux sauce tutorial are 4 tablespoons (56g) of butter and 4 tablespoons (35g) of plain flour.

Melt them together low and slow. The liquid must be warm milk about 2 cups (475 ml) . If the milk is cold, it guarantees lumps.

Trust me, I learned that the hard way when I ruined a batch just before guests arrived.

For the cheese factor in our Gruyère and cheddar recipe , don't use pre-shredded stuff. It has anti caking agents that make the sauce grainy.

Go for a block. We need 1 cup (115g) of sharp Cheddar and ½ cup (55g) of Gruyère. Gruyère is pricey, I know, but it adds that incredible nutty depth that makes this taste like a restaurant dish.

Flavor Boosters and Essential Tools

You need two secret weapons. First, nutmeg! A quarter teaspoon of ground nutmeg is non-negotiable for proper béchamel. Second? That little glug of 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of Dry Sherry or lemon juice.

It cuts through the richness of the cheese. Without it, the casserole feels too heavy.

When learning how to make Chicken Divan , you don’t need a gadget shop. The essential tools are simple: a sturdy 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) casserole dish, a medium saucepan for the sauce, and the most crucial item: a decent wire whisk.

A good whisk makes the difference between a beautiful, smooth chicken and broccoli casserole recipe and a claggy one. If you nail the sauce, this quickly becomes a family favourite.

Making the Dream Happen: The Ultimate Weeknight Chicken Bake

Okay, so you’ve got your chicken and your broccoli ready to go. Now for the real magic the sauce! This is How to make Chicken Divan properly.

Forget those terrible cans of mystery soup. We are aiming for the creamiest, dreamiest, most glorious Comfort Food ever created.

This truly is a Proper supper recipe .

Did you know that in the 1950s, casseroles were seen as the height of modern convenience? We’re bringing back that convenience, but with flavour!

Essential Prep: Setting Up for Sauce Success

My biggest kitchen challenge when I first tried a Chicken and broccoli casserole recipe was the sauce seizing up. Honestly, it was a disaster.

The solution? Essential mise en place, especially for the sauce.

First, your liquids: get your milk warmed slightly. Seriously, do not skip this step. Cold milk hitting hot butter and flour makes lumps, and nobody wants lumpy sauce.

Next up, the broccoli. Don’t murder the broccoli! Bring that water to a rolling boil and blanch those lovely florets for only 2 minutes .

They must stay slightly crisp. Immediately dunk them in ice water to stop the cooking, then drain them bone dry. This is crucial for bright green veg in your Chicken Divan (Chicken and Broccoli ).

A Proper Roux Sauce Tutorial

This whole dish hinges on the Cheesy béchamel sauce from scratch . Take your time here.

1. Melt the 4 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Whisk in 4 tablespoons of flour . Cook this mixture the roux for 90 seconds . Keep whisking! It needs to smell faintly nutty, like popcorn.
3. Introduce the warm milk very slowly, about a third at a time. Whisk constantly until the mix is completely smooth before adding more. This is your Roux sauce tutorial moment.
4. Whisk in the chicken stock. Bring it to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
5. Remove the pan from the heat. Now stir in your amazing Gruyère and cheddar recipe combination until everything is melted and smooth.
6. The secret ingredient: a splash of dry sherry or lemon juice. Trust me, it cuts through the richness and makes this an Elevated classic casserole .
7. Pour the beautiful sauce right over your chicken and broccoli base.

Pro Tips for Your Weeknight Chicken Bake

For a super speedy Weeknight chicken bake , always use leftover rotisserie chicken. It saves half an hour and tastes great.

The biggest mistake to avoid? Overcooking the broccoli beforehand. If it’s soft before it goes into the oven, it will be mushy when it comes out. We need a bit of bite!

Finally, for that incredible finish, the crispy topping is everything. Use Panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter and Parmesan. Sprinkle it on thick.

Bake your casserole at 375° F ( 190° C) for 30 minutes , or until bubbly and golden. Let it rest for 10 minutes before you tuck in!

Quick Notes: Making the Most of Your Glorious Comfort Food

Right, you’ve battled the roux, conquered the cheese melt, and now you have a glorious casserole bubbling away. Honestly, mastering how to make Chicken Divan means you deserve a medal.

But knowing the recipe is only half the battle! This glorious Chicken Divan (Chicken and Broccoli casserole is too good to mess up in the final stages.

Let's dive into some housekeeping tips for serving and keeping this fantastic comfort food .

Plating and Pairing Your Proper Supper Recipe

This truly is the ultimate comfort food . For me, a proper supper recipe like this needs something sturdy to soak up that creamy sauce.

Fluffy white rice is non-negotiable, honestly. Sometimes I even go for egg noodles pure nostalgia!

But here’s my top tip: cut the richness! The deep, satisfying flavour profile we built using the Gruyère and cheddar recipe needs balance.

Serve this with a crisp, tart green salad dressed simply with vinaigrette. The sharpness is the perfect counterpoint to the velvety sauce.

It stops the dish from feeling too heavy, allowing you to go back for seconds (which you will).

Keeping Your Weeknight Chicken Bake Fresh

I often double this for easy meal prep it’s the perfect weeknight chicken bake when you need something speedy mid-week. Leftovers are brilliant! Keep the casserole tightly covered in the fridge for up to 3 days .

When reheating, cover it with foil first so the top doesn't burn, then uncover for the last five minutes to crisp up that topping again.

Freezing? Yes, absolutely! This is one of the joys of any chicken and broccoli casserole recipe . Freeze it before baking if possible, or fully baked.

Either way, make sure it’s completely cool first, or you risk turning it into a watery, sad mess. I always use disposable aluminum pans if I know I’m freezing it makes life way easier!

Mix it Up! Adapting Your Elevated Classic Casserole

This basic chicken and broccoli casserole recipe is incredibly adaptable. Want to make this an elevated classic casserole for gluten-free friends? Use a quality cornstarch slurry or certified GF flour for the roux sauce tutorial part.

It works beautifully and doesn't affect the flavour one bit.

What about seasonal swaps? If broccoli isn't looking great, try substituting asparagus tips in the spring, or even steamed cauliflower.

It maintains that desirable crunch you know, the non-human vertebrae structure we love in a good veg! If you're out of chicken, leftover holiday turkey works just as well.

Nutrition Basics (It’s Real Food!)

Look, this isn't low-cal rabbit food, but it’s brilliant. You get tons of lean protein from the chicken and healthy greens from the broccoli.

Plus, because we made that luxurious cheesy béchamel sauce from scratch , we know exactly what went in. We skipped the preservatives and mystery ingredients.

It's real food, Chicken Divan done right, and gosh, it tastes amazing!

You've done a smashing job creating such a delicious comfort food . Enjoy every cheesy, crispy bite!