Why You’ll Love This this Creamy Gruyere Chicken Divan
This creamy, cheesy casserole transforms ordinary weeknight ingredients into something that feels fancy enough for company, but simple enough that you won’t stress about it.
The blanched broccoli stays perfectly tender-crisp while swimming in that rich, bubbling Gruyere sauce that makes everyone forget they’re eating vegetables.
You’ll love how the dish comes together in layers – broccoli on the bottom, sliced chicken in the middle, and that gorgeous golden cheese sauce binding it all together into pure comfort food magic that’ll have your family asking for seconds before they’ve finished their firsts.
Ingredients List
Everything you need for this dreamy casserene is probably already hiding in your fridge and pantry, which makes it one of those perfect “I need dinner in an hour” recipes.
- 3 cups broccoli, chopped
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup 2% low-fat milk
- 3/4 cup gruyere cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cooked and sliced
The 2% milk keeps things creamy without going overboard on fat, though you could totally swap in whole milk if that’s what you’ve got.
Gruyere brings that fancy, nutty flavor that makes this dish special, but Swiss cheese works as a pinch-hitter if your grocery store is being stubborn.
All that broccoli means you’re sneaking vegetables into what feels like pure comfort food indulgence.
Using pre-cooked chicken makes this a great way to transform leftover rotisserie chicken or meal prep into something that feels completely new.
Step by Step Directions
This classic comfort food casserole comes together in just a few simple steps that layer flavors and textures into one satisfying dish.
- Prep the broccoli: Bring a large pot of water to boil, add chopped broccoli and blanch for 3 minutes, then immediately plunge into cold water to stop cooking and pat dry with paper towels.
- Make the cheese sauce: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk in flour until smooth, then stir in chicken broth and milk and bring to a boil before removing from heat and stirring in 1/2 cup of the gruyere cheese.
- Season and preheat: Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste and preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Layer the casserole: Arrange blanched broccoli in a 9×13 inch baking dish, pour half the cheese sauce over it, then layer the cooked sliced chicken on top and cover with remaining sauce.
- Top and bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup gruyere cheese over the top and bake for 30-35 minutes until bubbling and hot throughout.
- Serve immediately: Let it rest for just a minute or two before serving while it’s still steaming hot.
For a fresh citrus finish, consider using a premium citrus juicer to add a squeeze of lemon juice over individual servings.
Substitutions and Variations
• Crunchy topping: Sprinkle some panko breadcrumbs mixed with a little melted butter over that final layer of cheese.
Sometimes you just need that satisfying crunch, you know?
Additional Things to Serve With This Dish
This creamy, cheesy casserole plays so well with other dishes that complement its rich, comforting nature.
- Simple rice or quinoa – Something plain to soak up all that gorgeous gruyere sauce, because letting any of it go to waste would be a tragedy.
- Crusty French bread – Perfect for mopping up every last bit of creamy goodness from your plate, and honestly, who doesn’t love an excuse to eat more bread?
- Light green salad – A crisp mix with vinaigrette cuts through the richness beautifully, plus it makes you feel like you’re being healthy.
- Roasted root vegetables – Carrots, parsnips, or sweet potatoes add earthy sweetness that balances the savory cheese sauce.
- Garlic mashed potatoes – Yes, it’s carbs on carbs, but sometimes comfort food calls for doubling down on the comfort.
- Steamed asparagus – Another green vegetable that won’t compete with the broccoli but adds a nice textural contrast.
Cooking Tips & Tricks (Chef’s Notes)
Getting this casserole just right comes down to a few key moves that’ll save you from kitchen disasters and soggy disappointments.
- Don’t skip the broccoli blanching step – Raw broccoli will release too much water during baking, turning your beautiful cheese sauce into a watery mess, and nobody wants to explain that tragedy at dinner.
- Make sure your chicken is completely cooked beforehand – This isn’t the time to wing it with undercooked poultry, since the casserole baking time won’t be enough to safely cook raw chicken through.
- Pat everything dry, and I mean really dry – Wet broccoli and chicken are the enemies of a properly thickened sauce, so use those paper towels like your casserole depends on it, because it does.
- Whisk that flour mixture like your life depends on it – Lumpy white sauce is the stuff of nightmares, so keep whisking until it’s smooth as silk before adding the liquids.
- Let the sauce cool slightly before adding cheese – Too-hot sauce will make your beautiful gruyere seize up into rubbery chunks instead of melting into creamy perfection.
- Cover with foil if the top browns too quickly – Gruyere can go from golden to burnt faster than you’d think, so keep an eye on it during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving – This gives the sauce time to thicken up properly, preventing a molten lava situation that’ll burn tongues and make a mess on plates.
Nutritional Facts
This hearty casserole packs impressive nutritional value alongside its rich, creamy taste.
- Calories: Approximately 385 per serving (based on 6 servings)
- Protein: 32 grams – thanks to the lean chicken breast and gruyere cheese combination
- Carbohydrates: 12 grams – primarily from the flour in the sauce and natural sugars in milk
- Fat: 23 grams – mostly from the butter, cheese, and milk used in the creamy sauce
- Fiber: 3 grams – courtesy of the fresh broccoli florets
- Calcium: 25% of daily value – the gruyere cheese and milk provide excellent bone-supporting minerals
- Vitamin C: 80% of daily value – broccoli is a powerhouse source of immune-boosting vitamin C
- Iron: 8% of daily value – chicken breast contributes to healthy red blood cell production
- Vitamin A: 15% of daily value – broccoli and dairy ingredients support eye health
- Sodium: 650mg – mainly from the chicken broth and cheese, so watch portions if you’re monitoring salt intake
- Saturated Fat: 14 grams – the rich dairy ingredients make this more of an occasional indulgence than everyday fare
Fun “Did You Know?”
While Chicken Divan might sound like a fancy French dish, it actually originated in the 1930s at the Divan Parisien Restaurant in New York City’s Chatham Hotel.
I find it fascinating that this comfort food classic was created by a chef trying to use leftover turkey after Thanksgiving. The dish became so popular that it spread across America’s dinner tables within decades.
What’s even more interesting is that “divan” means “couch” in French, possibly referring to the restaurant’s lounge-style seating.
Today, it’s considered quintessential American comfort food, proving how culinary traditions evolve across cultures.
