Name: Broccoli Chicken Divan
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken (cubed); 2 cups broccoli florets; 2 tablespoons butter; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 cup chicken broth; 1 cup milk; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup bread crumbs

Pure comfort in a creamy form-this involves the moisture of soft chicken, fresh greens, molten cheese, and a crispy layer of golden crumb. Ideally, it will be dishes at a friendly weeknight, intimate family dinners, or other gatherings where the majority of the people in the family join at the table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Comfort Food Classic-creamy, cheesy, deliciously filling.
Balanced Meal: Protein and veggies and dairy go into one dish.
Quick and Easy-the simple steps make this dish doable for those new to the kitchen.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Perfect for prepping for meals or freezing.
Customizable: Add any favorite seasonings and toppings.

Key Ingredients

Chicken: Use cooked, cubed chicken for convenience, or shred leftovers from the rotisserie chicken; chicken add splendid flavors.

Broccoli: To add some vibrancy and crunch into this creamy sauce, you have fresh broccoli florets.

Cheddar Cheese: The purpose is to mix into the sauce to provide a rich and tangy taste, glorious if it is sharp cheddar.

Bread Crumbs: A golden, crisp crust on the top to give some texture and contrast.

Homemade Cheese Sauce: A creamy mixture of butter, flour, milk and chicken broth flavored with salt and pepper.

Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below

Steps

1. Preheat Your Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
This ensures even cooking, with a bubbly and golden finish.

2. Prepare the Baking Dish

Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Greasing also makes cleanup a breeze later.

3. Layer the Chicken and Broccoli

Arrange cubed chicken and broccoli florets evenly in the prepared baking dish.
Spread them out so each bite is packed with flavor.

4. Make the Creamy Sauce

Create the Roux:
In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
Once melted, whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to form a roux.

Thicken the Sauce:
Gradually add 1 cup of chicken broth and 1 cup of milk to the roux.
Whisk continuously to prevent lumps.
Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.

Season and Add Cheese:
Stir in:
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Continue stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.

5. Assemble the Dish

Pour the creamy cheese sauce evenly over the chicken and broccoli in the baking dish.
Make sure all the ingredients are well-coated to ensure even flavor.

6. Add the Crunchy Topping

Sprinkle ½ cup of bread crumbs evenly over the top.
This topping creates a golden, crispy texture.

7. Bake to Perfection

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the bread crumbs are golden brown.

8. Serve and Enjoy

Let the dish cool for a few minutes to allow the sauce to set.
Portion and serve warm for a comforting, satisfying meal.

Serving Suggestions

With White Rice or Noodles: You may use white rice or wild rice with egg noodles as a sort-of hearty meal.
Accompanied by a green salad: Make a nice and crisp green salad with a touch of lemon vinaigrette to offset the richness of the dish.
Also, Garlic Bread: Meanwhile, an extra bite of garlic bread that is warm, soft, and buttery will bring forth a warm and cozy partner.
Steamed Extra Veggies: More steamed carrots, green beans, or zucchini add a more vegetable-filled picture.

Storage Tips

Storage: Refrigeration of leftovers may be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

If you freeze this:

Prior to Baking: Prepare everything but leave out the bread crumb topping. Keep it frozen for up to 3 months in a tightly packed condition. Let it thaw overnight on the refrigerated shelf, apply the bread crumbs, and bake.
Post Baking: Cool the dish completely before cutting it into single servings and freezing.
Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through, or microwave for 1-2 minutes by the serving.

Variations

Extra Vegetables: Carrots, mushrooms, or cauliflower for extra diversity in the dish.

Increased Heat Rate: Touch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes stirred in to give a spicy taste.

Different Cheeses: Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella are just a few of the possibly more unusual flavors that one could explore.

Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and bread crumbs to make the dish completely gluten-free.

Swap Out the Topping: You could replace the standard bread crumb topping with crumbled Ritz or cornflakes for a variation in texture.

Conclusion

Broccoli Chicken Divan is an all-you-can-eat homemade dish that can be used for any event at all. Think of the cream-rich cheese sauce, tender chicken, and the crisp topping and imagine it settling in the regular rotations of food. Aside from that, it is pleasingly flexible and can be adjusted according to what your family fancies.

Pick up the ingredients, preheat your oven, and create the special casserole that will keep them coming back for seconds. Happy cooking!