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Chicken Divan

Chicken Divan (Late-’70s Casserole Style)

In January 1978, popular recipes centered on elegant "Continental" dinner party fare, hearty winter stews, and the burgeoning "gourmet-to-go" movement. This month saw the peak of French-inspired classics and the debut of unique internationally-influenced dishes that defined the late 1970s. Chicken Divan was a "Retro Metro" staple that remained highly popular in 1978. It consisted of chicken and broccoli smothered in a cheese-infused Mornay sauce (or the shortcut version using condensed soup), often topped with toasted almonds.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, French
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded (rotisserie works well)
  • 4 cups broccoli florets (or 2 (10 oz) packages broccoli spears), cooked until just tender
  • 2 cans (10.5 oz each) condensed cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom)
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1-2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1-2 tsp curry powder
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine or a splash of sherry
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheddar
  • 4 tbsp grated Parmesan
  • 1/4 cup panko or italian breadcrumbs
  • 1 knob butter, melted for Parmesan Panko topping
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Method
 

  1. Heat oven to 350°F.
  2. Arrange broccoli in the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with chicken.
  3. In a bowl, mix soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice, curry powder, and wine/sherry until smooth.
  4. Spread sauce over the chicken and broccoli. Sprinkle with cheese.
  5. Top with sliced almonds (and/or buttered crumbs).
  6. Bake 25–35 minutes, until hot and bubbling. Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.

Notes

How it was typically served in the 70s: over cooked rice or with buttered noodles (very “Continental dinner party” energy).
Garlic bread and a green salad are great sides. And a light crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay pairs well, if you're feeling fancy.
You can make it ahead of time and freeze it for later. Simply let it thaw and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.