This lightened-up chicken divan recipe offers a healthier twist on a classic comfort dish. It's loaded with tender broccoli and juicy chicken breasts, all enveloped in a creamy, cheesy sauce that's baked to golden perfection.
While most of the ingredients are common, dry sherry might not be something you typically have in your pantry. This ingredient adds a subtle depth of flavor, so be sure to pick it up when you head to the supermarket. Also, ensure you have swiss cheese and shallots, which can sometimes be overlooked.
Ingredients For Lightened Up Chicken Divan
Broccoli florets: Fresh, green florets that add a nutritional punch and vibrant color.
Olive oil spray: Helps to lightly coat ingredients without adding too many calories.
Chicken breasts: Lean protein that is the star of this dish.
Kosher salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Fresh ground pepper: Adds a touch of heat and complexity.
Butter: Creates a rich and creamy texture for the sauce.
Extra-virgin olive oil: Adds depth and richness to the sauce.
Garlic cloves: Infuses the dish with aromatic flavor.
Shallots: Adds a sweet and mild onion flavor.
Flour: Thickens the sauce to a creamy consistency.
Chicken broth: Adds a savory base to the sauce.
Milk: Provides creaminess to the sauce without adding too many calories.
Dry sherry: Adds a subtle depth of flavor to the sauce.
Swiss cheese: Melts beautifully into the sauce, adding a deliciously creamy texture.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, salty flavor to the topping.
Bread crumbs: Provides a crunchy topping to contrast the creamy sauce.
One reader, Jodi Tanner says:
This lightened up chicken divan recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are rich and satisfying, yet it feels so much lighter than traditional versions. The blend of cheeses and the hint of sherry make it irresistible. Perfect for a healthy, comforting meal!
Techniques for Making Lightened Up Chicken Divan
How to blanch broccoli: Blanching involves boiling the broccoli for a short time and then quickly cooling it in cold water to stop the cooking process. This helps maintain the broccoli's bright green color and crisp-tender texture.
How to pound chicken breasts: Pounding chicken breasts involves flattening the thicker end of the chicken to make it even on both sides. This ensures even cooking and prevents the thinner end from drying out.
How to make a roux: Making a roux involves cooking flour with fat (butter and oil in this case) until smooth. This mixture is used to thicken sauces.
How to whisk: Whisking involves using a whisk to mix ingredients together until smooth and well combined. This technique is often used to incorporate air into a mixture or to blend ingredients thoroughly.
How to arrange ingredients in a casserole dish: Arranging ingredients in a casserole dish involves layering the components of the dish in a specific order to ensure even cooking and proper distribution of flavors.
How To Make Lightened Up Chicken Divan
This chicken divan recipe ditches the high-fat ingredients and serves tender chicken breasts with broccoli, creamy cheese sauce, and breadcrumb toppings.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1½lbbroccoli florets,chopped (3 large heads)
- olive oil spray
- 24ozchicken breasts,boneless, skinless
- kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
- 1tbspbutter
- 2tspextra-virgin olive oil
- 2garlic cloves,crushed
- 2tbspshallots,minced (onions would work too)
- 4tbspflour
- 1cupchicken broth
- 1cupmilk,fat-free
- 2ozdry sherry,or white wine
- 6ozSwiss cheese,reduced-fat, shredded or chopped fine
- ¼cupParmesan cheese,grated
- ¼cupbread crumbs,seasoned, whole wheat
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil.
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Add the broccoli and blanch for 3 minutes. Rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Drain well and set aside.
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil spray.
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Season the chicken with ½ teaspoon of salt and black pepper to taste.
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Pound the thicker end of the chicken breast to make it even on both sides.
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Heat a grill pan over medium-low heat, spray with oil, and cook the chicken for about 5 minutes on each side, or until browned and just about cooked through.
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Remove from heat and transfer chicken to a cutting board. When cooled, slice chicken into bite-sized pieces.
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Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and oil until melted, and then add garlic and shallots.
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Sprinkle the flour and whisk until smooth. Stir in broth, ½ teaspoon of salt, milk, and sherry then bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in half of the Swiss cheese.
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Arrange the broccoli in a casserole dish and pour half of the sauce over the broccoli and mix to coat.
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Arrange the chicken on top and cover with remaining sauce.
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Sprinkle the remaining Swiss cheese, grated Parmesan, and top with breadcrumbs.
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Spritz a little oil on top. Bake for 30 minutes, or until hot and golden.
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Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 525.83kcal
- Fat: 30.42g
- Saturated Fat: 12.14g
- Trans Fat: 0.20g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 12.38g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.72g
- Carbohydrates: 20.96g
- Fiber: 0.75g
- Sugar: 3.79g
- Protein: 40.60g
- Cholesterol: 113.22mg
- Sodium: 872.03mg
- Calcium: 430.42mg
- Potassium: 795.11mg
- Iron: 2.55mg
- Vitamin A: 308.11µg
- Vitamin C: 106.35mg
Helpful Technique for Preparing Lightened Up Chicken Divan
When making the sauce, ensure you whisk the flour thoroughly with the melted butter and oil to create a smooth roux. This will help prevent any lumps from forming and result in a creamy, velvety texture for your chicken divan.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Recipe
Pre-cook the chicken: Grill or bake the chicken breasts in advance and store them in the fridge. This way, you can skip the cooking step on the day you make the dish.
Use pre-cut broccoli: Save time by buying broccoli florets that are already washed and cut.
Shred cheese ahead: Grate the swiss cheese and parmesan cheese in advance and store them in airtight containers.
Make the sauce early: Prepare the sauce a day ahead and refrigerate. Reheat gently before using.
Assemble the night before: Put the entire casserole together the night before and store it in the fridge. Just bake it when you're ready to eat.
Substitute Ingredients For Lightened Up Chicken Divan Recipe
broccoli florets - Substitute with cauliflower florets: Cauliflower provides a similar texture and can be used as a low-carb alternative.
olive oil spray - Substitute with cooking spray: Any neutral-flavored cooking spray can be used to lightly coat the pan.
chicken breasts - Substitute with turkey breasts: Turkey breasts offer a similar lean protein profile and can be used interchangeably.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a similar flavor and texture.
fresh ground pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper can offer a milder flavor and a different visual appeal.
butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can be used as a lower-fat alternative to butter.
extra-virgin olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good substitute.
garlic cloves - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in a pinch, though fresh garlic offers a more robust flavor.
shallots - Substitute with yellow onions: Yellow onions can provide a similar flavor profile and are more commonly available.
flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch can be used as a thickening agent and is gluten-free.
chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can be used for a vegetarian option and offers a similar flavor base.
milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk can be used as a dairy-free alternative, though it may slightly alter the flavor.
dry sherry - Substitute with white wine: White wine can provide a similar depth of flavor and acidity.
swiss cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella offers a mild flavor and good melting properties.
parmesan cheese - Substitute with pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar texture and a slightly stronger flavor.
bread crumbs - Substitute with panko bread crumbs: Panko provides a lighter, crispier texture.
Best Presentation for Lightened Up Chicken Divan
Serve smaller portion sizes: Present the chicken divan in individual ramekins or small cast iron skillets to create an elegant and refined look.
Use decoration: Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley and a light drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil to add a touch of color and sophistication.
Layering technique: Ensure the broccoli and chicken are evenly layered to showcase the vibrant green of the broccoli and the golden-brown chicken.
Cheese presentation: Use a microplane to finely grate the parmesan cheese over the top just before serving to create a delicate, snow-like effect.
Breadcrumb texture: Toast the bread crumbs separately until golden and sprinkle them on top just before serving to maintain a crisp texture.
Sauce consistency: Ensure the sauce is smooth and velvety, with no lumps, to provide a luxurious mouthfeel.
Plate color contrast: Serve on a white or light-colored plate to make the vibrant colors of the broccoli and chicken pop.
Temperature control: Serve the dish hot, straight from the oven, to ensure the cheese is perfectly melted and the sauce is at its best consistency.
Fresh herbs: Add a sprig of thyme or rosemary on the side for an aromatic touch and visual appeal.
Clean edges: Wipe the edges of the plate clean before serving to maintain a professional and polished presentation.
Essential Tools for Making Lightened Up Chicken Divan
Large pot: Used to boil water for blanching the broccoli.
Colander: Essential for draining the blanched broccoli.
Large bowl: Useful for holding the broccoli after blanching and rinsing.
9x13-inch baking dish: The main dish for assembling and baking the chicken divan.
Olive oil spray: Used to coat the baking dish and grill pan to prevent sticking.
Grill pan: Ideal for cooking the chicken breasts evenly.
Cutting board: Necessary for slicing the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Medium skillet: Used for making the sauce with butter, oil, garlic, shallots, and other ingredients.
Whisk: Important for ensuring the sauce is smooth and well-mixed.
Measuring spoons: Needed for accurately measuring ingredients like salt, butter, and flour.
Measuring cups: Used for measuring liquids like chicken broth, milk, and dry sherry.
Garlic press: Handy for mincing garlic cloves quickly.
Knife: Essential for chopping shallots and slicing chicken.
Cheese grater: Used for grating parmesan cheese.
Oven: Preheated to 350 degrees F for baking the assembled dish.
Oven mitts: Important for safely handling hot dishes from the oven.
Storing and Freezing Lightened Up Chicken Divan
- Allow the chicken divan to cool completely before storing or freezing.
- For storing in the refrigerator, transfer the cooled casserole to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It will keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- To freeze the chicken divan, follow these steps:
- Portion the cooled casserole into individual servings or freeze the entire dish, depending on your preference.
- Wrap each portion or the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap, ensuring no air pockets remain.
- Place the wrapped portions or dish in a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
- Label the container or bag with the name of the dish and the date of freezing.
- Freeze for up to 2-3 months for best quality.
- To reheat the frozen chicken divan:
- Thaw the frozen portions or dish in the refrigerator overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Transfer the thawed casserole to an oven-safe baking dish, if necessary.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.
- Remove the foil during the last 5-10 minutes of reheating to allow the top to crisp up, if desired.
- Note: Freezing may slightly affect the texture of the broccoli, causing it to become softer upon reheating. However, the overall flavor of the dish should remain delicious.
How To Reheat Leftover Chicken Divan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover chicken divan in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the dish is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking to crisp up the top.
If you prefer a quicker method, you can reheat the chicken divan in the microwave. Transfer the leftovers to a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the dish is heated through and the sauce is steaming.
For a stovetop method, place the leftover chicken divan in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or milk to help loosen up the sauce and prevent it from drying out. Cover the skillet and heat the dish for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's heated through and the broccoli is tender.
If you want to maintain the texture of the breadcrumbs on top, you can reheat the chicken divan in the oven or toaster oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the leftovers on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the dish is heated through and the top is crispy.
To add some extra flavor and moisture to your reheated chicken divan, consider drizzling a little extra chicken broth or milk over the top before reheating. You can also sprinkle some fresh parmesan cheese or breadcrumbs on top for added texture and taste.
Interesting Fact About Chicken Divan
A random fact about this recipe is that Chicken Divan was originally created in the early 20th century at the Divan Parisien Restaurant in New York City's Chatham Hotel. It was considered a sophisticated dish and often served as a signature dish of the restaurant.
Is Making Lightened Up Chicken Divan at Home Cost-Effective?
This lightened up chicken divan recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. With ingredients like broccoli florets, chicken breasts, and swiss cheese, the total cost for a household of 4 people is approximately $20-$25. Considering the nutritional value and the delicious outcome, this recipe provides a great balance between cost and quality. Overall Verdict: 8/10.
Is This Chicken Divan Recipe Healthy?
The lightened up chicken divan recipe has some healthy elements, but there's room for improvement. On the positive side:
- Broccoli is a nutrient-dense vegetable, providing fiber, vitamins, and minerals
- Chicken breast is a lean protein source
- The recipe uses olive oil spray and a limited amount of butter and oil, reducing overall fat content
However, there are some less healthy aspects:
- The sauce contains flour, which adds refined carbohydrates
- Whole milk and cheese contribute saturated fat and calories
- Breadcrumbs add additional refined carbohydrates and calories
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Use whole wheat flour or a gluten-free alternative like almond flour for the sauce
- Replace whole milk with a lower-fat option like skim milk or unsweetened almond milk
- Reduce the amount of cheese or opt for lower-fat varieties
- Use whole wheat breadcrumbs or substitute with crushed nuts for added nutrition
- Increase the proportion of broccoli to chicken for a more balanced meal
- Add additional vegetables, such as carrots or bell peppers, for more fiber and nutrients
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to reduce overall sodium content
By making these adjustments, you can create a more nutrient-dense and well-rounded meal that still satisfies your craving for a comforting chicken divan dish.
Editor's Opinion on Lightened Up Chicken Divan
This lightened-up chicken divan recipe is a delightful twist on a classic comfort dish. The use of fresh broccoli and lean chicken breasts keeps it nutritious, while the blend of Swiss and Parmesan cheeses adds a rich, savory depth. Blanching the broccoli ensures it retains a vibrant color and crisp texture. The dry sherry introduces a subtle complexity to the sauce, elevating the overall flavor profile. Baking everything together allows the ingredients to meld beautifully, resulting in a satisfying, golden-topped casserole. It's a well-balanced, flavorful dish that's perfect for a wholesome family meal.
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Why trust this Lightened Up Chicken Divan Recipe:
This lightened-up chicken divan recipe is a healthier twist on a classic comfort dish. By using broccoli florets and lean chicken breasts, it offers a nutritious meal without sacrificing flavor. The combination of garlic, shallots, and dry sherry creates a rich, savory sauce that perfectly complements the swiss cheese and parmesan. With a crispy breadcrumb topping, this dish is both satisfying and wholesome. Trust this recipe for its balanced ingredients and delicious taste.
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