Chicken Divan Pioneer Woman

Name: Chicken Divan Pioneer Woman
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 pound broccoli (cut into florets); 3 cups cooked/rotisserie chicken (shredded or diced); 8 ounces cream cheese (1 block Philly, softened); 1 cup heavy/whipping cream; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; salt & pepper to taste; 2 cups grated cheddar cheese (divided); 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup butter (melted); 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan is a cheesy, creamy chicken and broccoli dish topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs and baked until golden. This Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan recipe is cooked from scratch and does not include any condensed soup.

What Is Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan?

This Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan is a delicious, creamy chicken and broccoli dish that serves a crowd. It has melty cheddar and crunchy breadcrumbs on top. Inside, a handmade cheddar cream sauce wonderfully covers each broccoli floret for a flavor explosion in every mouthful.

Many variants make use of condensed soup, but we can do better! This is a Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan dish that tastes even better when made from scratch. After tasting it, you’ll never use the “cream of” soup shortcut again.

A baking dish with Chicken Divan Pioneer Woman

Why Is It Called Chicken Divan?

This chicken dish was called after the Divan Parisien Restaurant at the Chatham Hotel in New York City in the early 1900s. Back then, it looked a bit different and included Mornay sauce, and the gourmet recipe was kept a secret. It first appeared in American cookbooks in the 1950s and evolved into the well-known casserole we know today!

Ingredients That You’ll Need:

Broccoli – fresh broccoli cut into bite-sized florets
Chicken – I used a rotisserie chicken (a combo of light and dark chicken meat). If you don’t have cooked chicken, cut up 3-4 chicken breasts into small pieces and sauté them in a skillet with some salt & pepper until they’re just cooked, then proceed with the Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan recipe as indicated.
Cream cheese – I always use a block of Philly brand
Cream – we’re using whipping/heavy cream for luxuriousness
Garlic powder and onion powder – this pair is a classic base to enhance flavor
Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce – don’t skip these! They’re a special combo that you can’t individually taste in the casserole, but they add an amazing savory touch
Cheddar cheese – use an old/sharp cheddar if possible for the best flavor
Parmesan cheese – choose a good-quality block of parm
Butter – for melting to make the crispy breadcrumb topping
Breadcrumbs – use panko for best results. You can find them in a box in the same aisle as you’d find regular breadcrumbs at your grocery store.

Can I Prepare Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan Ahead Of Time?

Absolutely! Unlike pasta casseroles, which may become less creamy as the pasta soaks up the sauce, Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan is Perfect to make ahead of time and will only get tastier.

To prepare Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan ahead of time, follow the recipe directions up to the point of baking. Refrigerate your Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan after wrapping it with foil.

Allow Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan to rest on the counter until ready to bake. Bake for 35 minutes, or until cooked through and bubbling around the edges, at 350°F.

How To Make Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan?

1. Take the cream cheese from the refrigerator at least one hour before beginning the preparation, or microwave it for 30 to 60 seconds (it should be very soft).

2. Bring water to a boil for the broccoli. Start preparing all the recipe’s ingredients while you wait for the water to boil (check they’re all ready before beginning the sauce). I suggest melting the butter in the microwave in a small dish and leaving it aside until required.

3. Preheat your oven to 375F and move the rack to the top third of the oven.

4. Once the water is boiling, add the broccoli and simmer for two to three minutes, then drain and transfer to a 9×13-inch casserole dish.

5. Add the cooked chicken to the casserole dish (just put it beside the broccoli for now).

Layer of cooked chicken and broccoli in a baking dish

6. Add the cream cheese, cream, onion powder, garlic powder, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper to a skillet or medium pot. Stir/whisk it often over medium heat until the cream cheese has completely melted into the sauce (this should take about 5 minutes). Important: the sauce should not get too thick (it should be similar to Alfredo sauce). If the sauce looks too thick, add a touch more cream. In the oven, the sauce will thicken more in the oven.

Cream mixture with spices being prepared for chicken divan

7. Take the pan from the heat and mix in half the cheddar cheese (stir until smooth).

Grated cheddar cheese added to the cream mixture for chicken divan

8. Pour the sauce over the chicken and broccoli, then toss and evenly distribute the mixture.

Pouring cheese sauce over the chicken and broccoli mixture

9. Top the casserole with the remaining cheddar, followed by the Parmesan.

Shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheese topping over the chicken divan casserole

10. Add the panko breadcrumbs to the bowl that has the melted butter and stir until they’re evenly coated in butter.

Panko breadcrumbs mixed with butter for a crunchy topping

11. Top the casserole with the breadcrumb mixture. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. If you want the topping to be a little darker, broil it for a few minutes (watch it carefully).

12. Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving.

What To Serve With Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan?

Broccoli chicken divan’s deep, savory flavor pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Consider a bright, spicy roasted potato dish or Southern-style filthy rice. A nice companion would be a fresh summer salad.

It’s delicious with mashed potatoes, white rice, or over pasta like egg noodles.
For a lighter option, make a side salad with homemade ranch dressing.
Or just eat it all on its own as a complete meal!

Also, you can serve Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan with:

Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
Smashed Red Potatoes
Garlic-Herb Green Beans
Creamy Mac & Cheese with Leeks
Three Bean Salad
Garlic Asparagus Spears
Green Beans Almondine
Bread Pudding with Cranberries
Creamy Cheesy Broccoli Slaw
Grilled Pineapple Avocado Salsa

Make-ahead Tips For Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan

If you want to prepare this Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan casserole a day or two ahead of time, construct it until just before the baking process, then closely cover the Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan casserole dish and refrigerate until it’s cooled somewhat. To prevent the panko topping from becoming mushy, apply it right before baking. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, or until well heated.

If you need to freeze it, assemble it immediately before the baking process, cover the Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan casserole dish securely with plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, or until well heated. Cream sauces and broccoli don’t often freeze well, so I try to avoid freezing them if possible

Can I Use Different Veggies For Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan?

Of course, you can! You can add a medley of veggies or just one of these suggestions for Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan:

Cauliflower
Peas
Green beans
Carrots
Corn
Mushrooms
Kale/ spinach

How To Reheat Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan?

In The Oven: To reheat Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan in the oven Cover the Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan casserole with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbling.
In The Microwave: Microwave your Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan in 30-60 second intervals until warmed to your taste – normally, 2 minutes is more than enough time to have your dish blazing hot!

Recipe Tips

Using heavy cream results in a richer sauce that is less likely to curdle in the oven. If you wish to use a reduced-fat substitute (such as half-and-half or milk), I recommend forming a roux.
You may use mashed-up cornflakes or Ritz crackers for the panko. Regular breadcrumbs may be used, but the topping will be thicker and not as light and crispy.
You can use frozen broccoli but defrost it first, drain it well, and skip the boiling step since it has already been blanched.

FAQ Section

Can I Freeze Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan?

Yes, you may freeze leftover Pioneer Woman chicken divan for up to three months. For the longest shelf life, store the Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan casserole in a shallow, airtight container. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

How To Store Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan In The Fridge?

Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan makes excellent leftovers that will keep in an airtight jar in the fridge for 3-5 days.

How To Store Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan In The Freezer?

Let your Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan cool completely (not from baking but from the warm sauce). Wrap Pioneer Woman Chicken Divan casserole securely with plastic wrap, then with aluminum foil, then label and freeze for up to 3 months.