Turkey divan casserole is such a comfort food! I enjoyed it growing up but love it even more now. When I switched to a paleo and Whole30 lifestyle, casseroles were harder to find than before! So many casseroles include soy, gluten, MSG, and who knows what else. While I still consume dairy, it's still not as easy to come up with a paleo, primal, or Whole30 casserole. This particular one is considered primal, so it works for me just fine!
It's a really yummy and unique way to use up leftover turkey from Thanksgiving too!
Allergen/Lifestyle Friendly
While this is typically served over rice or noodles, growing up my mom would put egg noodles right into it to make it a casserole. To make it grain free, I used cauli-rice instead. That makes it gluten free as well! This does have cheese inside so it's primal, it is not paleo or Whole30. But it is also soy free and quite delicious!
I always recommend using raw dairy products whenever possible. It's more easily digestible and the nutrients are more readily available. Of course, sourcing is majorly important when consuming raw animal products, so be sure to only consume raw milk from a grass fed or pasture raised animal!
Cleaned up Ingredients for Gluten Free Turkey Divan
You could use any cream of chicken or mushroom soup recipe you like, but here's the paleo one I use. The campbell ones from the store have soy, sugar, gluten, and additives that are quite unhealthy! This is a basic version, and you can use whatever variety you like, whether cream of chicken, cheese, celery, or mushroom.
I also like to use this mayonnaise recipe, to keep it soy, vinegar, and sugar free! Again, store bought mayo has sugar, inhumanely raised and fed eggs, and additives. Even the ones "made with olive oil" still can have soybean oil on the label.
Just a note, there's nothing not paleo about vinegar, but if yeast is problematic for you as it is for me, then it should be avoided. The recipe linked is a simple version, and you can make it with various seasonings.
Substitutions and Tips for Turkey Divan
Have leftover chicken instead? That works too! Then you can make it year round and not just after Thanksgiving or Christmas!
To switch it up, you can also use broccoli rice in place of the cauli rice. The color may change but it will remain nutritious!
I've seen other recipes use ground up plantain chips or ground up pork rinds to use in place bread crumbs. Using either of those instead of gluten free breadcrumbs would make this turkey divan recipe not only gluten free but also grain free as well!
Chicken Divan
Ingredients
- 3 cups Cauli-rice
- 2 cups cream of chicken soup recipe linked above
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2-3 cups cooked turkey or chicken
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon chili powder use less or omit for less spice
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 3 cups broccoli
- breadcrumbs use paleo or GF bread, enough to lightly cover
Instructions
- If making your own cream of chicken soup, make that first.
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Mix together all ingredients except breadcrumbs. Place in a casserole dish.
- Bake for 45-60 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly. In the last 10 minutes, add the breadcrumbs on top.
- Let the casserole sit for a few minutes to firm up, then serve!
Corningware pictured
I love the corningware dish pictured that I used to make this dish. It was gifted to me in a set from a very sweet lady at my bridal shower. She's since passed on, but I do think of her often, especially when I cook with these dishes! It is a set of ten pieces, with dishes of varying sizes and lids.
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Did you make this recipe? Leave me a comment below letting me know what you thought! I love hearing your feedback!
Feel free to post a picture on Instagram of how it turned out!
Paulette says
Tried over the weekend with the Thanksgiving turkey leftovers. Loved it!!
Rachel Rivera says
Oh yay!!! So fun, such a good comfort meal too!