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Chicken Divan

By Krista Pool

5 from 2 votes

on May 08, 2025

Chicken Divan is a classic comfort food casserole, and this version offers a creamy, flavorful twist made with simple ingredients and a rich homemade sauce. Sautéed garlic, onion, and celery form a savory base, while a blend of chicken broth, Greek yogurt, and seasonings create a luscious, tangy filling. Tender bites of chicken and broccoli are folded into the sauce, then topped with a crunchy Ritz cracker and melted cheddar topping for the perfect golden finish. Balanced with the nutty sharpness of fresh parmesan and subtle hints of mustard, this hearty dish brings warmth and satisfaction to any dinner table.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION / MACROS

Makes: 9 servings

Serving size: 200g

Calories: 226

Macros: 27.4p / 12.2c / 9f (1.7 fiber)

Search the food database in the MyFitnessPal or MacrosFirst apps by looking up Stay Fit Mom Chicken Divan to add it to your food diary.

INGREDIENTS

• Butter
• Garlic
• Yellow onion
• Celery
• Salt & pepper
• All purpose flour
• Chicken broth
• Plain nonfat Greek yogurt
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Mustard powder
• Parmesan off the block
• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Broccoli florets
• Ritz crackers
• Cheddar cheese

SUBSTITUTION IDEAS

Dairy Substitutes:

• Butter (2 tbsp)
  → Olive oil, avocado oil, or a plant-based butter (for dairy-free)
  → Coconut oil (if you’re okay with a slight flavor shift)
• Greek Yogurt (2/3 cup / 170g)
  → Sour cream (same amount)
  → Dairy-free Greek-style yogurt (e.g., almond or coconut based)
  → Cottage cheese blended until smooth (slightly different texture)
• Parmesan (28g)
  → Grana Padano or Pecorino Romano
  → Nutritional yeast (for dairy-free)
  → Vegan parmesan
• Cheddar Cheese (56g)
  → Any melting cheese (like Colby, Monterey Jack)
  → Vegan cheddar-style cheese
  → Omit for a lighter dish

Protein Substitute:

• Chicken (2 lbs diced)
  → Cooked rotisserie chicken (for a shortcut)
  → Turkey breast
  → Firm tofu or tempeh (for vegetarian)
  → Chickpeas or white beans (for plant-based protein)

Vegetable Substitutes:

• Broccoli florets (16 oz)
  → Cauliflower, green beans, or asparagus
  → Frozen broccoli (no need to thaw fully before baking)
• Celery (2 stalks / 115g)
  → Fennel (for a different flavor), diced bell pepper, or omit
• Yellow Onion (1/2, 150g)
  → Shallots, leeks, or red onion

Cracker Topping Substitute:

• Ritz crackers (15, crumbled)
  → Panko breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, or seasoned stuffing mix
  → Almond flour mixed with butter for a low-carb topping
  → Gluten-free crackers (for gluten sensitivity)

Flour Substitute (3 tbsp):

• → Gluten-free all-purpose flour
• → Cornstarch (use half the amount and mix with cold broth before adding)
• → Arrowroot or tapioca starch

Storing Chicken Divan

Refrigerator (Short-Term Storage):

• Cool completely before storing.
• Store in an airtight container.
• Keeps for 3–4 days in the refrigerator.

Freezer (Long-Term Storage):

• Use a freezer-safe, airtight container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil.
• Label with the date.
• Keeps for up to 2–3 months.
• For best texture, freeze without the Ritz cracker topping and add it fresh before reheating.

Reheating Instructions

From the Fridge:

1. Oven (Best for maintaining texture):
   • Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
   • Place in an oven-safe dish.
   • Cover with foil to prevent drying out.
   • Heat for 20–25 minutes, then uncover and bake 5–10 more minutes to crisp the topping.
2. Microwave (Faster, but softer topping):
   • Place a portion in a microwave-safe dish.
   • Cover with a damp paper towel.
   • Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals until hot throughout.

From Frozen:

• Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
• Reheat as described above, extending oven time to 30–40 minutes if starting cold.
• If reheating from frozen directly, bake covered at 350°F for 60–75 minutes, uncovering for the last 10–15 minutes.

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SUPPLIES USED

9×13 Casserole Dish – This size pan is a staple in any kitchen! It’s perfect for family-sized casseroles!

10.5 inch Non-Stick Pan – I love this pan and it’s perfect for the sauce of this recipe!

You Might Also Like:

1. Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
2. Spaghetti Casserole
3. Mexican Street Corn Casserole

For more Stay Fit Mom Casserole ideas, just type casserole in the search bar at the top of this page.

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5 from 2 votes

Chicken Divan

By: Krista Pool

This creamy, comforting Chicken Divan combines tender chicken and broccoli in a rich garlic-Parmesan sauce made with Greek yogurt and chicken broth, then topped with melted cheddar and buttery Ritz cracker crumbs for a crispy finish.

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 45 minutes mins

Servings: 9 servings

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Equipment

• 9 X 13 Casserole Dish
• 10.5" Non-Stick Pan

Ingredients 

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• ▢ 2 tablespoons butter
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ▢ 1/2 yellow onion, diced (150g)
• ▢ 2 stalks celery, diced (115g)
• ▢ Salt/Pepper, to taste
• ▢ 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
• ▢ 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• ▢ 2/3 cup Greek yogurt, 170g
• ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• ▢ 28 g parmesan off the block
• ▢ 2 pounds cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
• ▢ 16 oz broccoli florets
• ▢ 15 Ritz crackers, crumbled
• ▢ 56 g cheddar cheese, shredded

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Instructions 

• In a sauce pan, over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds before adding the onions and celery. Season with some salt and pepper and cook until the veggies are soft and translucent.
• Stir in the flour (it will be clumpy). Slowly add the broth (about 1/4 cup at a time) bringing it to a light simmer as you continue to add more broth. Once all the broth is incorporated let it simmer 3-5 minutes to reduce.
• Remove from heat and stir in the spices.
• In a bowl, add some of the hot broth mixture to your Greek yogurt. Add about 1/4 cup at a time to warm up the Greek yogurt. Once the yogurt is warm, pour it all into the saucepan.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• In a 9X13 pan add the chicken and broccoli. Pour the broth mixture over the top and sprinkle on the parmesan cheese, crackers, and cheddar cheese.
• Bake in the oven, covered for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until the top is nice and crispy.

Notes

• Find in MyFitnessPal and the MacrosFirst app food database by searching, “Stay Fit Mom Chicken Divan.”

Nutrition

Serving: 200g, Calories: 226kcal, Carbohydrates: 12.2g, Protein: 27.4g, Fat: 9g, Fiber: 1.7g

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