Doesn’t that name sound fancy? Chicken divan…
If you’re from the South, you grew up with your share of casseroles. Made with cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup, is there any other kind of casserole? You see the 1984 church cookbook above that came out of my Pastor dad’s church at the time. The Women’s Ministry ladies decided they needed to do a cookbook for a couple of years and I’m so glad I snagged them. It is full of well-loved Southern recipes, good ole’ down home cooking and many of them have the above-mentioned creamy soup as a main ingredient. I’m quite sure there are probably some major differences between a church cookbook in the North and the South.
I’m just sayin’. 
So, are you ready for this Chicken Divan? I have no idea where the name came from, if anyone knows, please let me know. I can see this on a Southern restaurant menu where little ladies go to lunch and chat up a storm. Have any of my Yankee friends (sorry, we just still call ya’ll that, old habits die hard you know!) heard of this recipe?
This recipe was contributed by my sister, Renee. I’ve made it quite a bit over the years. Main ingredient, chicken of course. 
And cream of chicken soup mixed with mayo.
Broccoli layer goes first. 
Shredded chicken on top of that
Creamy mixture next
Sprinkled with shredded cheddar cheese and bread crumbs mixed with butter.
I serve mine with brown rice cooked in chicken broth.
And it’s a cheesy, yummy meal. Your kids would probably like it too. Comfort food at its best.
Here’s the official recipe:
Chicken Divan
1 pkg. frozen broccoli spears (I used fresh broccoli & steamed it lightly first)
3 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded
1 can cream of chicken soup ( I added a bit of the chicken broth the chicken cooked in to this)
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup bread crumbs, soaked in 1 T. melted butter (I used Italian breadcrumbs)
Cook broccoli and drain. Arrange in a baking dish. Place chicken on top. Mix together soup, mayo, and lemon juice. Pour over chicken. Sprinkle with cheese. Combine bread crumbs & butter; sprinkle over chicken. Bake at 350* for 25 minutes covered, 5 minutes uncovered.
Eat and enjoy!
One of my favorites…I also make it using leftover turkey after the holidays.
Hi Rhoda, I just love this recipe! Delish!!!
Ms. Eleanor has quite a collection of treasures below! Where will you begin??? I spotted some really pretty things, there! 🙂 The pic of Peter and her was priceless…the look on his face! LOL! ~Rhonda
This sounds yummy!
I do love the cookbook title. Back, oh about 18 years ago when our A/G church put together a cookbook we named ours,
Next to Manna from Heaven.
Thanks again for sharing this.
I have a very similar recipe given to me by a close friend years ago, about 1980 or so, and my family loves it. I’m from So. California
Hi Rhoda,
The Chicken Divan looks wonderful. I love one dish meals like this. Wonder if it freezes well?
Hey Rhoda…I love the old Southern casseroles with the ‘cream of soups’ and this one sounds fantastic! Thanks for sharing and I hope you are having a great weekend!
Hey Rhoda…Oh that is a fave of ours! I first had it in NY…and heard it was created and named after a NYC restaurant.
I make a cream sauce with sherry and butter and cream…but with the same chicken and brocolli…
Yours looks delish. too!
Comfort food…at it’s best! i always make it after thanksgiving with leftover turkey! Yum!
Yum. I’ve never actually made this before, but have seen recipes for it in one of my church cookbooks. I’ll have to try this soon.
Ohhh girl, you had me at the first picture! I do LOVE a good church cookbook. They’re always the BEST!
I found an old Mennonite church cookbook at a yardsale a few years ago and it is chock full of fabulous recipes!
Rhoda,
Aren’t church cookbooks the best with tried and true recipes? I feel I have gained 5 lbs reading the yummy recipes which have been posted today. This looks so good!!!
Thanks so much for sharing.
Beth
Yum…gotta try this one! Being a good ole Georgia girl my whole life…I’ve seen many a recipe with Cream of Chicken or Cream of Celery…this one looks especially good. Thanks for sharing! Susan
I have been so busy lately that I haven’t had a chance to visit you. I have often wondered if you were affected by the hurricanes–especially the gas shortage I hear about. It looks like your were able to go g-saleing, so I’m guessing you are OK with getting fuel.
That chicken recipe looks so good—I used to make something like that years ago–pre high cholesterol days 🙂 It DOES sound tempting.
Love all of the stuff that belongs to Elenor—and love her cute littel chichuachua. She and her housemate do have a “few” possesssions!
Your redesign was great, too! OH, and your black and white fall decorating—whew you have been a busy gal! Keep it up. I forgot tosay, I love that fireplace screen, too. I need one and now you gave me a terrific idea of something to “look for” when I hit a sale!
Have a great weekend. Dana
Church cookbooks are fabulous!
I just looked at your Eleanor post. She reminds me of J’s mother. Dorothea passed away in her 7o’s. We have some of her things but many were sold on the estate sale. She had quite a collection of this and that!
My favorite cookbooks are church cookbooks! I think I have about 5 versions from 5 different churches! I also love chicken divan and I am so blessed that I have a copy of my grandmother’s recipe for this southern classic in her own handwriting – really great memories! I think we may have this for dinner this week!
Add a little curry powder to this dish for a whole new wonderful twist. That’s how my mama made it and I love it to this day.
Carla
I’ll try this recipe. I also made Picket’s vegetable soup and it was SO GOOD. I love new recipes.
I bought Trisha Yearwood’s new cook book yesterday because it looked like it has some great southern recipes in it. Plus pictures…love when there’s a picture of what you’re making.
Have a blessed day.
Sounds (and looks) yummy. This yankee has an old Chicken Divan recipe, but I haven’t made it in forever. Looks like a great recipe to add to my fall / winter comfort food menu. Couldn’t help but notice that the cookbook is from an Assembly of God Church – I attend an Assembly of God Church way up here in the North, ’tis where I found the Lord. Happy Sunday!
Oh yes, casseroles are a well-loved institution in the south. Maybe this is what I should do with the chicken breast I have thawing.
Yummy! It looks very good. I’ve never made it before.
Cathy
Hi Rhoda, your caserole looks so good! This Northern girl loves chicken divan & I make it the same way as you.
I have several of those old fashioned cookbooks from churches,fire houses,ladies auxillary……great old recipes. It's hard to find a csaaerole recipe that doesn't use cream of anything soup.
Take care, DebraK