Keto Chicken Divan

Annie Lampella @ Ketofocus

By Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Published July 24, 2024 • Updated February 2, 2026

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

This low-carb Chicken Divan recipe is a twist on Paula Deen's famous comfort food casserole featuring chunks of juicy chicken and broccoli smothered in a simple cream sauce, making it a quick and satisfying family dinner.

When it comes to quick casseroles, Chicken Divan is a favorite! And the Queen of Butter, Paula Deen’s recipe is one of the best versions of this dish. However, it is pretty heavy on the calories and carbs, not to mention it uses some not-so-good-for-you ingredients, like canned cream of mushroom soup. With just a few tweaks, I managed to cut the carbs down to 5 grams per serving while keeping the comfort, creamy flavor and keeping it simple. It’s the perfect dish to serve with cauliflower rice, mashed turnips or rolls! Chicken divan casserole in a white baking dish with a serving taken out and a spoon resting in the dish.

How I turned this recipe keto

There are three main changes that I made to Paula’s recipe to make it more keto friendly.
  • Cream of mushroom soup – Paula’s recipe uses two cans of condensed cream of mushroom soup, but they add 40 grams of carbs and contain unhealthy ingredients. I could make my own, but that’s a lot of effort. I prefer using a carton of Primal Kitchen’s mushroom bisque, which has only 8 carbs and no MSG, making it my go-to low-carb substitute.
  • Lowered the wine – Wine can enhance the flavor of a dish but we don’t need a 1/2 cup of white wine like Paula Deen suggested. This recipe really only needs a 1/4 cup of wine. I’d rather drink that extra 1/4 cup than use it in my dish. Lowering the amount of wine lowers the total carb for this dish.
  • Buttery, crunchy topping – Most chicken divan recipes call for a buttery cracker topping to be sprinkled on top of the casserole. Instead of using crackers or breadcrumbs, I used a combination of grated parmesan cheese and almond flour to give a similar rich flavor without adding extra butter.

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Keto Chicken Divan

5 (1) Prep 15m Cook 40m Total 55m 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup almond flour
  • 20-24 oz frozen broccoli, thawed and drained
  • 6 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 1 (16.9 oz) carton mushroom soup
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, fresh
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup dry white cooking wine
  • fresh chopped parsley for garnish

Step by Step Instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1
Prepare the topping

Preheat the oven to 350 °F. Prepare a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. In a small bowl, mix the parmesan cheese and almond flour. Set aside.

A mixture of almond flour and parmesan cheese in a small bowl next to a bowl of parsley and a fork.
Ingredients for this step
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup almond flour
2
Creamy sauce

Combine the mushroom bisque, mayonnaise, and sour cream in a large bowl and whisk until smooth.

A hand pouring mushroom soup from a measuring cup into a large bowl.
Tip Can use avocado mayo if desired.
Ingredients for this step
  • 16.9 oz carton mushroom bisque soup
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup sour cream
3
Flavor components

Add the cheddar cheese, lemon juice, curry powder, salt, pepper, and white wine and combine them well.

A hand pouring white wine into a bowl with a creamy sauce topped with shredded cheddar cheese.
Tip For a dry white wine, try Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.
Ingredients for this step
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup white wine
4
Broccoli & Chicken

Add the thawed, drained broccoli and shredded chicken to the sauce.

Cooked broccoli florets and shredded chicken side by side in a large white bowl.
Tip If the broccoli pieces are bigger than bite size, rough chop them down.
Ingredients for this step
  • 20-24 oz frozen broccoli, thawed & drained
  • 6 cups shredded, cooked chicken
5
Assemble in the casserole dish

Pour the mixture into the casserole dish, then evenly sprinkle the parmesan/almond flour topping over it.

A chicken casserole topped with breadcrumbs in a white baking dish.
6
Bake

Bake at 350 °F for 40 minutes. To get the topping a golden brown, change the oven temperature to LO broil and lightly brown the top of the casserole for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve while warm.

A finished chicken divan casserole on the counter topped with parsley and next to a spoon, parmesan cheese and more parsley.
Nutrition Per Serving
609 Calories
45.7g Fat
36.8g Protein
5.1g Net Carbs
7.4g Total Carbs
8 Servings
Nutrition disclaimer

The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.

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Keto Chicken Divan

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of chicken can I use?

Cooked shredded chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken both work great here.

Can I use low-carb crackers for the breadcrumb topping?

Yes, you can use keto crackers for the topping. Just add a few handfuls to a Ziploc bag and crush up with a rolling pin. Then mix with melted butter and sprinkle on top of the casserole before baking.

What type of white wine is dry that I can cook with?

For a dry cooking wine, use Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay.

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Creamy chicken casserole with cooked broccoli in a baking dish topped with parsley.

What is chicken divan?

Chicken Divan is a classic, comfort casserole traditionally made with chicken, broccoli, and a creamy cheese sauce. The dish is typically baked until bubbly and golden brown on top. Most recipes include a cracker or breadcrumb topping.
Chunks of broccoli and chicken smothered in a cream sauce on white plate with a fork.

Storage information & meal prep instructions

Store any leftover chicken and broccoli casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.  Reheat leftovers in the microwave at 50% power for 3-4 minutes until warmed.

Meal prep

Prepare the casserole without the topping mix and store it up to one day in advance. When ready to bake, make the topping mix and spread it evenly over the top of the casserole. The cooking time will need a few extra minutes since it is coming straight from the refrigerator.
About the Author
Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis, she has over 14 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism.

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  1. B
    Billie R. Mar 7, 2025

    We made this for dinner last night. The only change we made was to add mushrooms (we love them). The recipe was quick and easy, as promised. Couldn't get Kettle and Fire, so we used Amy's Mushroom Bisque. This was delicious!! Thanks

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