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A simple, fast, dreamy, creamy hen and broccoli casserole topped with a buttery, crunchy topping. So comforting, so good.

why i like this recipe
- Nostalgic, traditional casserole, similar to mother used to make
- Crowd-pleasing, fast repair dinner
- Good for a giant household gathering, a brand new mother or a buddy recovering from surgical procedure
- Produced from scratch (no canned soup right here) and simply as simple
- The crunchy, buttery Ritz topping
- Handy make-ahead choice
- Freezes like a dream for as much as 2 months and reheats superbly
what’s hen divan
Hen divan is a traditional American casserole that includes hen, broccoli, a cream sauce, cheese and a crunchy topping similar to buttery breadcrumbs or crushed crackers. It’s named after Divan Parisien Restaurant in New York Metropolis, serving the unique dish within the early twentieth century.

tips on how to make this nostalgic weeknight-friendly casserole
- Season the hen and cook dinner till golden brown
- Saute the onion and celery in melted butter (can add frozen broccoli on this step, if utilizing)
- Stir within the flour (it will assist thicken the casserole)
- Deglaze the pan, scraping up all of the browned bits for optimum taste
- Add all of the liquids right here to maintain issues completely happy and saucy, and simmer till thickened
- Stir in cheeses, hen and broccoli
- Sprinkle with all of the crushed, buttery cracker topping in a good layer
- Bake till bubbly and golden brown

ideas and methods for fulfillment
- Use white or darkish meat. Hen breast, tenders and thighs will all work effectively right here.
- Shorten prep time. Use leftover rotisserie hen (skipping step 1 and a pair of) or substitute frozen broccoli to chop down on prep time much more.
- Select a wine you’ll drink. A dry white wine (pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc) is nice right here – it doesn’t should be something fancy or overpriced. Simply one thing you don’t thoughts sipping on since you should have an open bottle.
- Use good-quality inventory. The higher high quality your inventory, the higher your casserole. Many manufacturers like to pack within the salt so at all times go for unsalted or a lower-sodium selection. Home made inventory is even higher.
- Freshly grated cheese goes a good distance. Though pre-shredded cheese can save a couple of minutes within the kitchen, pre-shredded cheese comprises anti-caking brokers to forestall clumping – this may hinder its capability to soften correctly. Freshly grated cheese is not going to solely have a greater taste profile, however it would additionally soften extra easily and evenly, yielding a much more superior hen divan.
- Prime with buttery spherical crackers. Some recipes name for potato chips or breadcrumbs, however crushed crackers (we love Ritz) tossed with melted butter is a long-time custom, leading to that favorited crispy, buttery goodness.
- Combine it up. Swap out the broccoli for various greens similar to cauliflower, zucchini, carrots and peas.
- Serve with crusty bread. Serve with all of the selfmade crusty bread for dipping, sopping and dunking!
- Freeze earlier than baking. It will assist protect the feel and forestall sogginess. At all times use a freezer-safe baking dish, label, date and freeze as much as 2 months.
freezing and storage
Prep
Prep and assemble forward of time, including the topping simply earlier than baking. Cowl the casserole tightly with plastic wrap; refrigerate as much as 48 hours. To bake, let the casserole sit at room temperature for 10-Quarter-hour. Take away plastic wrap, sprinkle with topping and bake as directed, including a further 5-10 minutes of cook dinner time, if wanted.
Storage
Leftovers might be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheating
Reheat within the oven at 350°F, coated in aluminum foil till warmed by, about 15-20 minutes.
Freeze earlier than baking
Cowl the casserole tightly with plastic wrap with out the cracker topping, then aluminum foil (it will assist forestall freezer burn). Label, date and freeze as much as 2 months. To reheat, thaw in a single day within the fridge, take away the plastic wrap, sprinkle with topping and bake as directed, including a further 5-10 minutes of cook dinner time, if wanted.

Instruments For This Recipe
Massive forged iron skillet
For the most effective texture and taste, use a big, heavy-bottomed skillet that holds warmth evenly. Added bonus: a forged iron skillet is oven-safe, and might go immediately from the stovetop to the oven.
Hen Divan: Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Frozen, thawed broccoli can be utilized however will have to be drained effectively of extra liquid to keep away from a watery, mushy hen divan.
Sure! This may be assembled as much as 2 days upfront and saved within the fridge.
By no means. Further hen inventory can be utilized for white wine as a non-alcoholic substitute.
Heavy cream (or heavy whipping cream) has one of many highest fats contents with about 36-40% fats. Half and half or entire milk are appropriate substitutes, however will yield a lighter end result.
Leftovers might be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3-4 days.

Hen Divan
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Gear
Components
- 1 ½ kilos boneless skinless hen breasts or hen thighs reduce into 1-inch chunks
- Kosher salt and freshly floor black pepper to style
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- ½ medium candy onion diced
- 1 rib celery diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- 1 ¾ cups hen inventory
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- â…“ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 4 cups small broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons chopped recent parsley leaves
for the topping
- 30 buttery crackers calmly crushed, similar to Ritz
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
Directions
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Preheat oven to 375 levels F.
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Season hen with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Soften 1 tablespoon butter in a massive forged iron skillet over medium excessive warmth. Working in batches, add hen to the skillet in a single layer and cook dinner till golden brown, about 4-5 minutes; put aside.
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Soften remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Add onion and celery, and cook dinner, stirring often, till tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic till aromatic, about 1 minute.
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Whisk in flour till calmly browned, about 1 minute.
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Stir in wine, scraping any browned bits from the underside of the skillet.
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Stir in hen inventory, heavy cream and Dijon; season with salt and pepper, to style. Deliver to a boil; scale back warmth and simmer, stirring usually, till diminished and barely thickened, about 3 minutes.
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Take away from warmth; stir in cheeses till melted.
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Stir in broccoli and hen till effectively mixed. Sprinkle with topping.
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Place into oven and bake till golden brown and effervescent, about 30-35 minutes. Let cool 10-Quarter-hour.
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Serve, garnished with parsley, if desired.
for the topping
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In a small bowl, mix crackers and butter.