Make-Ahead Chicken Divan Casserole

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 55 min
Servings: 8
Yield: 8 servings

Description

Easy to make ahead and bake before serving, this chicken divan casserole combines leftovers with fresh ingredients for a family-approved, one-dish meal.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, or more to taste
4 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 tablespoon salted butter
1 (8 ounce) package sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup diced onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup mayonnaise
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 cups cooked rice, or more to taste
5 cups shredded cooked chicken, or more to taste

Directions

1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2 Combine Cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese in a small bowl and set aside.
3 Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add broccoli, cover, and steam until tender, 2 to 6 minutes.
4 Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onion, and garlic; sauté until soft, 5 to 7 minutes.
5 Whisk together condensed soup, sour cream, milk, and mayonnaise in a large bowl until smooth. Add 1/2 cup Cheddar-Parmesan mixture and season with salt and pepper. Add sautéed vegetables and stir to combine sauce.
6 Spread 1/2 cup cheese-vegetable sauce onto the bottom of a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Add cooked rice as the bottom layer. Add steamed broccoli as the next layer, then top with a layer of cooked chicken. Cover with remaining cheese-vegetable sauce. Pat down evenly and smooth with a spatula.
7 Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining Cheddar-Parmesan mixture, plus extra Parmesan if desired, and continue to bake until browned, about 15 minutes more.