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This single serving Chicken Divan is a hearty, flavorful casserole made with tender chicken and broccoli baked in a rich, creamy sauce and topped with crispy, golden breadcrumbs. This easy recipe delivers all the comfort of the classic without leftovers. It’s easy to make, satisfying, and perfect for anyone cooking for one.
Enjoy Chicken Divan with a side that complements its rich, creamy flavors. Serve it over white rice or brown rice for a classic pairing, or with crusty French bread for simple, hearty option. For something lighter, a crisp green salad with a homemade vinaigrette adds freshness. Mashed potatoes or buttered noodles are also great options for a comforting meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy – Ready in 30 minutes, making it perfect for a simple, homemade meal.
- Rich and Flavorful – A hearty, flavor-packed chicken casserole with a rich, creamy sauce—comforting and indulgent in every bite.
- Perfectly Portioned – Made for one, so you get a fresh, delicious meal without leftovers.
Chicken Divan is a classic comfort food, and this single serving version has all the rich flavors without the burden of leftovers. Tender chicken and crisp broccoli are baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce and topped with crunchy, toasted breadcrumbs. Originally created at New York City’s Divan Parisien Restaurant, this dish has stood the test of time for good reason. I love this recipe because it’s easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and perfectly portioned for one.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch Chicken Divan recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Chicken: Use one 4-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/4-inch strips. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or about 1 cup of cooked chicken also work well. If using pre-cooked chicken, skip Step 3.
- Broccoli: Fresh or frozen broccoli works well. If using frozen, thaw and drain it first. Leftover broccoli? Use it in Broccoli Salad, Cashew Chicken, or Beef and Broccoli.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for its rich flavor, but light olive oil can be used instead.
- Onions and Garlic: These add depth to the dish—don’t skip them!
- Sauce: A homemade mix of low-sodium chicken broth, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and heavy cream replaces canned soup. If using regular broth, adjust salt accordingly. Taste before adding extra seasoning.
- Seasonings: A mix of salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning (a blend of basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary). If you don’t have Italian seasoning, use one or two of these herbs.
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar adds bold flavor. For the best melting quality, shred your own cheese—pre-shredded varieties contain preservatives that affect melting.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs create a crisp topping.
How To Make Chicken Divan
Follow these step-by-step instructions to make a flavorful single serving Chicken Divan. See the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and full details.
- Preheat the Oven: Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter a 5×5-inch baking dish and set it aside.
- Blanch the Broccoli: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 2 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain well and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and cook for 2 minutes on one side. Flip the chicken and cook for another 2 minutes. Once fully cooked, remove from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the Onions and Garlic: Add a little more olive oil to the pan. Stir in the onions and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Add the Chicken Broth: Pour the chicken broth into the pan and bring it to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Add the Heavy Cream: Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
- Add the Sour Cream and Seasoning: Remove the pan from heat. Stir in the sour cream and Italian seasoning until well combined.
- Combine the Ingredients: Stir in the cooked chicken, half of the shredded cheese, and the blanched broccoli.
- Transfer to the Baking Dish: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Prepare and Add the Topping: In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, remaining cheese, and melted butter. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the casserole. Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any spills.
- Bake and Serve: Bake for 20 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Let the Chicken Divan cool slightly before serving.
Expert Tips
- Prepare Ahead – Read through the recipe and Ingredient Notes before starting. This dish comes together quickly, so having everything ready will make cooking easier.
- Save Time – Use rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken strips instead of cooking raw chicken.
- Customize the Flavor – Add a pinch of nutmeg or curry powder to the sauce for extra depth.
- Try Different Cheese – Swap out the cheddar for Gruyère, Swiss, or Monterey Jack for a different flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or microwave in short intervals until warmed through.
Yes, you can use cauliflower, asparagus, or green beans as alternatives to broccoli.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve made this single serve Chicken Divan or any recipe from One Dish Kitchen, let me know what you think! Rate the recipe and share your thoughts in the comments below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Chicken Divan For One
Ingredients
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil -divided
- 1 (4 to 5 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into ¼-inch strips
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup chopped onions
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- ⅓ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ⅔ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese -divided
- 3 tablespoons Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter -melted
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter a 5×5-inch baking dish and set it aside.
- Blanch the Broccoli: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 2 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain well and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat ½ tablespoon of olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and cook for 2 minutes on one side. Flip the chicken and cook for another 2 minutes. Once fully cooked, remove it from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the Onions and Garlic: Add ½ tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Stir in the onions and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Add the Chicken Broth: Pour the chicken broth into the pan and bring it to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Add the Heavy Cream: Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
- Add the Sour Cream and Seasoning: Remove the pan from heat. Stir in the sour cream and Italian seasoning until well combined.
- Combine the Ingredients: Stir in the cooked chicken, half of the shredded cheese, and the blanched broccoli.
- Transfer to the Baking Dish: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Prepare and Add the Topping: In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, remaining cheese, and melted butter. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the casserole. Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any spills.
- Bake and Serve: Bake for 20 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Let the Chicken Divan cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Prepare Ahead – Read through the recipe and Ingredient Notes before starting. This dish comes together quickly, so having everything ready will make cooking easier.
- Save Time – Use rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken strips instead of cooking raw chicken.
- Customize the Flavor – Add a pinch of nutmeg or curry powder to the sauce for extra depth.
- Try Different Cheese – Swap out the cheddar for Gruyère, Swiss, or Monterey Jack for a different flavor.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This recipe is a winner! I definitely will be making it again. My only comment is this: I made this recipe for two but next time I won’t be doubling the sauce as it was too much for my husband and I to eat.
Today, I made Chicken Divan and I thought it turned out great. I doubled the recipe and that worked out, too. I really enjoyed the crunchy cheese topping. Thanks for this recipe.
I use your site and your cookbook for many of my meals. I can trust the recipes to be tested and taste great. This is my first review. I love this recipe and I make it at least once a month or more. Many times I double it because I don’t mind eating it more than once. Usually, I don’t like to eat leftovers. Thank you for all you do for the solo cooks.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for trusting my recipes! I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoy the Chicken Divan and even make it on repeat—especially since you’re not usually a leftovers fan. It means a lot that you took the time to leave your first review. Thank you for being part of the One Dish Kitchen community!
Excellent recipe. I made this last night…so easy, fast, and delicious. Thank you for suggesting other recipes for any leftover ingredients…BRILLIANT. I was thrilled to find your website.
I’m so happy you found us and that you enjoyed the Chicken Divan, thank you so much for your feedback.