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You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dish / Chicken / Keto Chicken Divan

Keto Chicken Divan

Published January 28, 2020. Last updated June 22, 2020 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

Chicken Divan is a classic, family-friendly dish. This modified version contains only 6 net carbs per serving and is naturally gluten free. It’s cheesy, rich, and delicious!

A white plate with a serving of Keto Chicken Divan with the casserole dish, a fork, and a bit of a cloth napkin in the background

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Chicken Divan is a classic casserole style dish. It’s typically made with chicken, broccoli and a Mornay sauce.

Because Mornay sauce is made with all purpose flour, several modifications had to be made to the traditional Chicken Divan recipe to make it suitable for a low carb and/or gluten free diet.

This recipe uses cream cheese as the base of the sauce due to it’s thick, creamy texture. Cheddar cheese is also used, rather than Parmesan, to lend a familiar flavor to this dish that adults and kids both love.

The “breadcrumbs” are made with a combination of blanched almond flour and melted butter to add a bit of crispiness to the top of this dish.

Why This Recipe Works

This is a very family-friendly dish. You won’t have much trouble getting kids to eat this meal loaded with chicken, cheese, and broccoli with crispy almond flour crumbs.

It’s fairly quick to make, taking around 45 minutes total. You can prep the entire casserole ahead of time, store it in the refrigerator until evening, and then bake to speed things up a bit more.

This recipe is low in carbs and gluten free. With only 6 net carbs per serving, it’s also suitable for those following a keto diet, as well.

How to Make Keto Chicken Divan

Ingredients

  • 4 cups broccoli florets
  • 1.5 pounds chicken, cut into bite size pieces
  • 2 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 shallot, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken bone broth (or stock)
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
  • 1/2 cup blanched almond flour
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter

Prep!

Cut the broccoli into bite size florets and the chicken into cubes. Mince the garlic and shallot and shred the cheese.

Chef’s Tip: it is always recommended to shred the cheese from a block for the best melting and texture. Pre-shredded bagged cheese contains a starch to prevent it from sticking to itself. This can give melted cheese a grainy texture.

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease or butter the inside of a medium size casserole dish.

Create!

Broccoli florets in a silver pot of water

Fill a medium size saucepan about halfway with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the broccoli florets and boil until bright green and crisp tender, about 3 minutes.

Drain the water and add the broccoli to the prepared casserole dish.

Chunks of cooked chicken close up in a black skiller

Melt one tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add to the hot skillet.

Cook, stirring often, until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, about 5-7 minutes.

Chicken and broccoli in a white square casserole dish

Add the chicken to the casserole dish with the broccoli and toss to combine.

Close up of cream cheese sauce in a black skillet

Return the skillet to medium heat and add another tablespoon of butter. Once melted, add the garlic and shallots and cook until slightly softened and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.

Add the heavy whipping cream, chicken bone broth, and cream cheese. Cook, breaking up the cream cheese, until melted and smooth, about 3-5 minutes.

Cheesy sauce over top of chicken and broccoli in a white square casserole dish

Pour the cheese mixture evenly over the broccoli and chicken in the casserole dish.

Shredded cheese on top of a cheese sauce, broccoli and chicken in a white casserole dish

Top with the cheddar cheese.

Overhead of baked low carb chicken divan in a square white casserole dish

Mix the almond flour and 1 tablespoon of melted butter in a small bowl until it resembles crumbs. Evenly spread the almond flour crumbs over the top of the casserole.

Chef’s Tip: if the almond flour crumbs are bigger chunks, you can break them up more easily with a fork after baking.

Almond flour crumbs, shredded cheese, broccoli and chicken in a white square casserole dish

Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes or until everything is heated through and the almond flour crumbs are lightly browned.

Present!

Close up of a single serving of Keto Chicken Divan on a small white plate with a fork and white casserole dish in the background

Tips and Techniques

  • Shred the cheddar cheese from a block for the best melting and texture.
  • Break up any larger pieces of almond flour crumbs with a fork, after baking, if necessary.
  • Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days for the best results.

FAQ’s

Can You Freeze Chicken Divan?

Yes. You can freeze Chicken Divan before baking. Allow the cheese sauce to cool, then wrap tightly with plastic wrap and store in the freezer. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before baking. You may need to add a few minutes to the bake time.

Can You Make Chicken Divan Ahead of Time?

Yes. You can make Chicken Divan up to the point of needing to bake it. When it’s time to bake, you may need to add a few minutes to the bake time.

More Keto Chicken Dinner Recipes to Try

A collage of 4 different chicken recipe imagesChicken is a very versatile meat that can be used in so many ways to suit a low carb or gluten free way of eating. Easy Garlic Chicken and Creamy Garlic Chicken are simple recipes that can be paired with most any low carb sides you prefer.

Skillet Creamy Lemon Chicken with Cauliflower Rice and Buffalo Chicken Cauliflower Casserole are complete, family-friendly meals with loads of flavor.

All of these recipe are excellent choices for those following a keto and/or gluten free diet.

Love this Keto Chicken Divan recipe?  Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

If you try this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would please leave a comment and star rating. Thanks!

A serving of chicken divan on a small white plate with a black and white stripe napkin, a white casserole dish and a fork all over a white background
Print

Keto Chicken Divan

Chicken Divan is a classic, family-friendly dish. This modified version contains only 6 net carbs per serving and is naturally gluten free. It's cheesy, rich, and delicious!
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American, Chicken, Gluten Free, Low Carb
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 488kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

  • 4 cups broccoli florets * from 2 small-medium bunches
  • 1.5 pounds chicken * cut into bite size pieces
  • 2 tablespoons butter * divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic * minced
  • 1 shallot * minced
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken bone broth
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 4 ounces sharp cheddar * shredded, approximately 1 cup
  • 1/2 cup blanched almond flour
  • 1 tablespoon butter *melted

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease or butter the inside of a medium size casserole dish.
  • Fill a medium size saucepan about halfway with water and bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Add the broccoli florets and boil until bright green and crisp tender, about 3 minutes.
  • Drain and add the broccoli to the casserole dish.
  • Melt one tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Season the cubed chicken with salt and pepper and add to the hot skillet.
  • Cook, stirring often, until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Add the chicken to the casserole dish with the broccoli and toss to combine.
  • Return the skillet to medium heat and add another tablespoon of butter.
  • Once melted, add the garlic and shallots and cook until slightly softened and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the heavy whipping cream, chicken bone broth, and cream cheese. Cook, breaking up the cream cheese, until melted and smooth, about 3-5 minutes.
  • Pour the cheese mixture evenly over the broccoli and chicken in the casserole dish.
  • Top evenly with the cheddar cheese.
  • Mix the almond flour and 1 tablespoon of melted butter in a small bowl until it resembles crumbs.
  • Evenly spread the almond flour crumbs over the top of the casserole.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes or until everything is heated through and the almond flour crumbs are lightly browned.

Notes

Tips and Techniques for the Best Keto Chicken Divan

  • Shred the cheddar cheese from a block for the best melting and texture.
  • Break up and larger pieces of almond flour crumbs with a fork, after baking, if necessary.
  • Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days for the best results.
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 488kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 131mg | Sodium: 503mg | Potassium: 387mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1472IU | Vitamin C: 56mg | Calcium: 236mg | Iron: 2mg

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Filed Under: Chicken, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Main Dish, Recipes

Comments

  1. Courtney says

    July 13, 2020 at 12:46 pm

    Would this work in a 13×9 casserole dish? Do you know how much it would affect the calories/carbs if I doubled the broccoli?

    Reply
    • Lauren Vavala says

      July 14, 2020 at 9:25 am

      Hi Courtney! You can certainly put this in a 13 x 9-inch casserole, but may need to reduce the bake time since the overall casserole won’t be as deep. As for the broccoli, I’d estimate about 2.5 more NET carbs per serving and 20 more calories, so not too much.
      I hope you enjoy it!!
      – Lauren

      Reply
  2. Kelly Anthony says

    March 10, 2020 at 12:14 pm

    What a great recipe the whole family will enjoy. I especially like the low carb and gluten-free breadcrumbs.

    Reply
  3. Morgan Eisenberg says

    March 10, 2020 at 11:47 am

    Looks cheesy, satisfying, and amazing. Adding this to my weekly menu.

    Reply
  4. Danielle says

    March 10, 2020 at 11:27 am

    Love the name of this recipe. The word “divan” has many meanings in other languages. The dish looks absolutely delicious!

    Reply
  5. Dannii says

    March 10, 2020 at 10:43 am

    Such delicious comfort food. Anything topped with cheese is good with me.

    Reply

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Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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