Make Ahead Chicken Divan

4.89 from 17 votes

Make Ahead Chicken Divan

Make Ahead Chicken Divan is the perfect dish to serve at a dinner party or anytime, for that matter. Tender chicken and fresh broccoli are cooked in a luscious white sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese and paprika.

Prep Time15

Cook Time40

Total Time55

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 344kcal

Ingredients

1 pound chicken breasts, skinned and boned, seasoned with salt and pepper
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
12 ounces fresh broccoli florets (about 12) (See Tip 1)
3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 Tablespoons sour cream
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Paprika for color, optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray 2 ½ quart casserole dish with nonstick spray. Set aside.
Cut chicken breasts in half. Lightly brown chicken breasts seasoned with salt and pepper in 1 tablespoon of butter, about 3 minutes per side. Set aside. (See Tip 2)
Cook broccoli in boiling salted water for 5 minutes. Drain and add to ice water to stop the cooking. Drain well; set aside. (See Tip 3)
To prepare cream sauce, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, and cook for 2 minutes over medium heat, ensuring that the flour does not brown. Gradually add milk, whisking or stirring constantly. Cook and whisk until the mixture comes to a boil and is thickened and smooth. Add 1 teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of pepper, and 2 tablespoons of sour cream. Whisk until well combined.
Arrange broccoli, with the florets facing out in the prepared casserole dish. Place chicken in the center of the casserole dish. Pour sauce evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and paprika. (See Tip 4)
Bake at 350ºF for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with yellow rice and green peas, crusty French bread, and chilled white wine such as Chenin blanc or chardonnay. Yield: 4 servings. (See Tip 4)

Notes

May substitute frozen broccoli florets for fresh broccoli. Ensure that the florets are roughly the same size and have been trimmed of any tough stalks.
Rather than boil the broccoli, you can steam it.
May be prepared in advance up to this point, covered, and refrigerated.
This is also delicious with Mushroom Risotto.

Nutrition