Chicken Divan Casserole

by | Jul 31, 2020 | Dinner | 0 comments

This casserole recipe came from my former mother-in-law (and still a very dear friend), it was a go-to in her home and she’s the one who actually introduced me to the chicken divan concept. With her permission, I adapted it to be “waist-watcher” friendly, but still indulgent and delicious. This is not a fancy gourmet version, but it’s every bit as divine as the traditional dish made with Mornay sauce. I’m a fan of quick and easy, and this recipe definitely delivers. In fact, I would bet that you have most of the ingredients already in your pantry! I also like this recipe because it’s perfect for meal prep and meal planning. Cook your chicken and broccoli ahead of time for a really easy dinner that comes together quickly OR you can prepare the casserole and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours; personally I think it’s better when it sits for a bit before baking. Here’s what you’re gonna need:

  • Cooked chicken
  • Cooked broccoli
  • Ritz Crackers (I use whole wheat)
  • Light Butter (my favorite is Land O Lakes Light with Canola)
  • Light mayonnaise (I use Kraft)
  • 2 cans Healthy Recipe Campbells Cream of Chicken Soup (or whatever “cream of” soup you have on hand)
  • Nonfat Greek yogurt
  • Reduced-fat cheddar cheese
  • Nutmeg (you could leave this out, but why??)
  • Lemon juice
  • 1-2 tablespoons chicken broth (only if sauce seems too stiff – which is rare so I usually leave this out, it’s why it’s not listed in the main recipe)

When I was testing this recipe, I tried it with every cream soup Campbell’s makes, sans the cream of shrimp. My favorite was a toss-up between using the cream of chicken and the cheddar broccoli. The beauty of it is that you can get creative with this recipe or just use what you have.

Because this casserole calls for cooked chicken and broccoli, I typically prepare them during my regularly scheduled meal prep. For me, meal prep is on Sundays most weeks so I will plan this meal for Monday or Tuesday, that way I can throw the casserole together during meal prep. BUT if you want you can just cook the chicken and broccoli and throw the casserole together the morning or evening you plan to cook it. The casserole will keep just fine for up to 48 hours in the refrigerator before baking.

Chicken is part of my meal-prep planning each week, so I just reserve the chicken I need for this recipe (usually three large chicken breast halves, which yields about 5-6 cups cubed). I sometimes use grilled chicken and other times I just bake it. Or you can use the breast meat from a rotisserie chicken.

I love roasted vegetables, so I like to roast my broccoli for this casserole. Plus it’s quick and easy, here’s how I do it:

  • Preheat your oven to 450°. Then cut fresh broccoli into bite-size florets, give them a spray with Avocado Oil Cooking Spray, and then hit them with a little Farmer’s Dust.
  • Roast them until they just start getting some color (about 15 minutes), they should be tender but still have some crunch.

This recipe works (and tastes) just fine though if you’d rather steam it. I will say it again because it’s important, be careful not to overcook your broccoli no matter how you prepare it because the broccoli will become mush when you bake the casserole (still delicious, but no one likes mushy broccoli).

One final note, and it’s an important one; you can also prepare this as a hearty side dish using a mixture of broccoli and cauliflower instead of broccoli and chicken; it makes for a terrific (and healthy) holiday side dish.

CourseMain Course
WW Points6
Calories337kcal
No ratings yet

Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Chicken Divan Casserole

Prep Time1 hour 20 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Servings: 8
Course Main Course
WW Points6
Calories337kcal
Author: Lisa

Ingredients

  • pounds chicken breast, cooked and cubed
  • cups Broccoli, cooked fresh or frozen (I used fresh and roasted it for this recipe, see my notes below°)
  • 2 cans cream of chicken soup, reduced fat
  • cup light mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 1 pinch nutmeg
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 30 Ritz Crackers (I used the Whole Wheat, and SP's were calculated using the them)
  • 4 oz Cabot 50% reduced-fat cheddar cheese
  • 2 tbsp light butter (I used Land O Lakes Light with Canola Oil)
  • 2 tbsp parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375°. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Add your cooked chicken and broccoli to the baking dish.
  • Add the soup, yogurt, mayonnaise, nutmeg and lemon juice to a medium bowl and mix well. Then pour the soup mixture over top chicken and broccoli mixture
  • Place the crackers in a plastic ziploc bag and crush using a glass or a rolling pin. Pour into a small bowl and add butter and parmesan cheese. Mix well (I start with a fork, then finish mixing using my fingers) and set aside.
  • Top the casserole with the shredded cheddar.
  • Evenly cover the the shredded cheese with the cracker crumb mixture. Then back for 40-45 minutes at 375° until casserole is golden brown and bubbly.

Notes

You can preassemble this recipe and refrigerate for up to 48 hours, in fact, I think the casserole tastes better when prepared a day in advance.  It may increase cooking time just a bit, but it helps to remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature. 
I cooked my chicken in advance for this recipe by seasoning it with salt and pepper and baking it for approximately 30 minutes.
I also cooked the broccoli in advance. I roasted it for 20 minutes at 450°(just until it started getting some color), do not overcook, you want it to still be a bit crunchy so it doesn't turn to mush when you bake the casserole.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 337kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 611mg | Potassium: 874mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 750IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 137mg | Iron: 2mg

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




The New Year has arrived, and with it that rush of urgency, most of us feel to get "it" done. I mean, I get it. It's like the mother of all fresh starts.

BUT, that intensity in which we attack the New Year tends to fade quickly, and we eventually fall into the familiar pattern of starting tomorrow--every week--until the next New Year.

But what if this year you get "it"--whatever "it" may be for you--done one day at a time? 

👉Practice consistency instead of intensity.
👉Treat each day as a fresh start.
👉 Every decision you make is an opportunity for self correction.
👉Celebrate your wins, and give yourself grace when you make mistakes.
👉Take a break, but don't quit.

Most of all, remember that failure is not fatal, and success is never final; your journey is about progress, not perfection.

So, Happy New Day🎉
xo Lisa

The New Year has arrived, and with it that rush of urgency, most of us feel to get "it" done. I mean, I get it. It`s like the mother of all fresh starts.

BUT, that intensity in which we attack the New Year tends to fade quickly, and we eventually fall into the familiar pattern of starting tomorrow--every week--until the next New Year.

But what if this year you get "it"--whatever "it" may be for you--done one day at a time?

👉Practice consistency instead of intensity.
👉Treat each day as a fresh start.
👉 Every decision you make is an opportunity for self correction.
👉Celebrate your wins, and give yourself grace when you make mistakes.
👉Take a break, but don`t quit.

Most of all, remember that failure is not fatal, and success is never final; your journey is about progress, not perfection.

So, Happy New Day🎉
xo Lisa
...

Sunday, I enjoyed a few cookies during our family cookie bake.

Last night for dinner, I enjoyed half a turkey & cheese sub (from our favorite sub shop) and some seasoned waffle fries prepared in my air-fryer.

For breakfast today, I enjoyed mixed greens and a spicy feta mushroom omelet. 

My point? Sometimes I choose the cookie, and sometimes I choose the salad.

See, our food choices aren't the problem. Our mindset is. A few cookies don't have the power to shove us off the proverbial wagon--that's a mindset thing.

Embrace the joy of the season, and keep making progress one choice at a time!

xo Lisa
#transformationtuesday #weightlossmotivation #trusttheprocess #bigfatskinnydish

Sunday, I enjoyed a few cookies during our family cookie bake.

Last night for dinner, I enjoyed half a turkey & cheese sub (from our favorite sub shop) and some seasoned waffle fries prepared in my air-fryer.

For breakfast today, I enjoyed mixed greens and a spicy feta mushroom omelet.

My point? Sometimes I choose the cookie, and sometimes I choose the salad.

See, our food choices aren`t the problem. Our mindset is. A few cookies don`t have the power to shove us off the proverbial wagon--that`s a mindset thing.

Embrace the joy of the season, and keep making progress one choice at a time!

xo Lisa
#transformationtuesday #weightlossmotivation #trusttheprocess #bigfatskinnydish
...

Saturday shopping hits different in the fall. Don't ya think?
#fallvibes #bigfatskinnydish #wegmanshaul #holidayseason

Saturday shopping hits different in the fall. Don`t ya think?
#fallvibes #bigfatskinnydish #wegmanshaul #holidayseason
...

The seasons in our lives serve us in many different ways--but very few had more of an impact on the trajectory of my life than my time in the United States Navy.

To serve was truly an honor, but for me, the experience of serving was a gift that helped shape the rest of my life.

So, to all who have served, and all who continue to make the choice to serve; thank you for your service.

Happy Veteran's Day!

xo Lisa

#veteran #VeteransDay #givethanks #usnavy

The seasons in our lives serve us in many different ways--but very few had more of an impact on the trajectory of my life than my time in the United States Navy.

To serve was truly an honor, but for me, the experience of serving was a gift that helped shape the rest of my life.

So, to all who have served, and all who continue to make the choice to serve; thank you for your service.

Happy Veteran`s Day!

xo Lisa

#veteran #VeteransDay #givethanks #usnavy
...

Yesterday, I had wilty veggies in the produce drawer, leftover rotisserie chicken, and some frozen mini wontons; I turned it into lunch.

I did not follow a recipe, I used what I had, and mostly measured with my heart. But here's what I do know:

3 (hearty) servings
3 WW points

24 mini wonton (got at Costco)
6 oz cooked chicken breast
4 c chicken broth
veggies (I used green beans, and boy choy, green & red pepper, jalapeno pepper)
about 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
about 2 tbsp Coconut Aminos
Garlic powder
Sriracha Sauce
Dried soup greens

PS. I know to most of you it's just a recipe for soup, but there was a lesson in it for me; start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can!

Have an awesome day!
xo Lisa
#bigfatskinnydish #bigfatskinnyrecipes #weightlossjourney #eatgreatloseweight #soupweather

Yesterday, I had wilty veggies in the produce drawer, leftover rotisserie chicken, and some frozen mini wontons; I turned it into lunch.

I did not follow a recipe, I used what I had, and mostly measured with my heart. But here`s what I do know:

3 (hearty) servings
3 WW points

24 mini wonton (got at Costco)
6 oz cooked chicken breast
4 c chicken broth
veggies (I used green beans, and boy choy, green & red pepper, jalapeno pepper)
about 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
about 2 tbsp Coconut Aminos
Garlic powder
Sriracha Sauce
Dried soup greens

PS. I know to most of you it`s just a recipe for soup, but there was a lesson in it for me; start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can!

Have an awesome day!
xo Lisa
#bigfatskinnydish #bigfatskinnyrecipes #weightlossjourney #eatgreatloseweight #soupweather
...

"If you do not change direction, you might end up where you are heading." -Lao Tzu

Change is hard. I get that it's unavoidable—but still, for me, it's hard.

I like things the way they are. I like my routines, the way I take my coffee, and my side of the bed. I don't want different; I want familiar and comfortable. Can you relate?

But here's the thing, comfort is usually in direct opposition to growth. In order to grow, change is a necessity. Transformation starts with a change in thinking.

How we think spills into how we act, and even how we identify ourselves. As challenging as it is, I am continuing to learn to embrace change, not just in my actions--but also in how I think. 

So, here's to thinking differently, acting boldly, and becoming the best version of ourselves.

Change might be tough, but it's where your personal journey of transformation will truly begin.
xo Lisa 💜
#transformationtuesday #ChangeYourMindset #mindsetmatters
#bigfatskinnydish
#bigfatskinnywisdom

"If you do not change direction, you might end up where you are heading." -Lao Tzu

Change is hard. I get that it`s unavoidable—but still, for me, it`s hard.

I like things the way they are. I like my routines, the way I take my coffee, and my side of the bed. I don`t want different; I want familiar and comfortable. Can you relate?

But here`s the thing, comfort is usually in direct opposition to growth. In order to grow, change is a necessity. Transformation starts with a change in thinking.

How we think spills into how we act, and even how we identify ourselves. As challenging as it is, I am continuing to learn to embrace change, not just in my actions--but also in how I think.

So, here`s to thinking differently, acting boldly, and becoming the best version of ourselves.

Change might be tough, but it`s where your personal journey of transformation will truly begin.
xo Lisa 💜
#transformationtuesday #ChangeYourMindset #mindsetmatters
#bigfatskinnydish
#bigfatskinnywisdom
...

#Saturdaysnack idea. 

This is one from way back. Quick, easy and super delicious!

Crispy Fried Parmesan Zucchini served with my almost famous Mama Mia Marinara. (OR use your favorite marina sauce!)

Here's how to make it.

1/2 small zucchini sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
9g Extra Crispy Shake 'n Bake
2 tbsp Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 egg, beaten 
1/4 tsp farm dust
Avocado Oil cooking Spray

Slice zucchini into rounds, add farm dust (or salt) to beaten egg. Mix Shake 'n Bake and cheese. Dip zucchini rounds into egg then coat with the Shake 'n Bake mixture. Give a nice, healthy spritz of avocado oil cooking spray and air fry for 11 minutes at 390, flipping once halfway through. #notadiet #eatgreatloseweight #bigfatskinnysnacks #weightwatchers #wwcommunity

#Saturdaysnack idea.

This is one from way back. Quick, easy and super delicious!

Crispy Fried Parmesan Zucchini served with my almost famous Mama Mia Marinara. (OR use your favorite marina sauce!)

Here`s how to make it.

1/2 small zucchini sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
9g Extra Crispy Shake `n Bake
2 tbsp Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/4 tsp farm dust
Avocado Oil cooking Spray

Slice zucchini into rounds, add farm dust (or salt) to beaten egg. Mix Shake `n Bake and cheese. Dip zucchini rounds into egg then coat with the Shake `n Bake mixture. Give a nice, healthy spritz of avocado oil cooking spray and air fry for 11 minutes at 390, flipping once halfway through. #notadiet #eatgreatloseweight #bigfatskinnysnacks #weightwatchers #wwcommunity
...

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
There has been a problem with your Instagram Feed.