Chicken Divan

I had to look this one up to make sure it really qualifies as a "divan". Indeed, it does! A "divan" is made with a mornay sauce - this is a white sauce - or a "bechamel " that's made with cheese. A bechamel is made with butter, flour, and milk. CHECK! And with the cheese on top, I guess this qualifies as a "divan".

As a francophile, I've got to be sure of these things.  

I read that an American version of a "divan" contains condensed soup or mayonnaise. So there you have it! The best of both worlds...

Thank you Janice and Tim - devoted friends of yours truly - who make this tasty and satisfying dish for friends and family at their holiday buffets!

Today isn't a holiday. Indeed, it is March 1st. And the first of the month means that the rent is due. Which means times are tough, and that calls for an economical meal for the family. And this dish certainly qualifies.

A pound and a half of chicken breast, some brocolli, flour, butter and milk, and a few other tasty ingredients, and you've got a way to beat the "wish I had more money" blues.

Serve it with pasta shells and you've got a couple of meals out of the deal.

Chicken Divan

lngredients:

2 bunches or more fresh chopped broccoli 

1.5 lbs boneless chicken breast-cooked (microwave it for 10 minutes or so, turning it over at

least once during that time), cut into bite-sized pieces

2 1/2 cups white sauce:

3 tablespoons butter

5 tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 cups milk

Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Blend in flour and pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring

until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling,

Stir constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute.

(OR: you can use 2 cans of cream of chicken soup instead of the white sauce)

1 cup mayonnaise

juice from 1 lemon

16 oz. white cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions:

Grease 9"X13" greased pan

Arrange raw broccoli in the bottom of the pan.

Place chicken pieces on top of broccoli.

Combine white sauce, mayonnaise, and lemon juice and pour over chicken.

Sprinkle with cheese.

Combine bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle mixture on top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.