Ah, Chicken Divan. Just the name itself takes me back to my childhood, to warm family dinners around our cozy dining table. This dish, a baked chicken and broccoli casserole, is the epitome of comfort food. It’s rich, it’s creamy, and it’s absolutely delightful. The Chicken Divan traces its roots back to the early 20th century, named after the Divan Parisien Restaurant in the New York Chatham Hotel where it was first introduced. What makes this dish truly special is its simplicity. With ingredients you can easily find in your pantry, you can whip up this comforting meal any day of the week. The combination of tender chicken, crisp broccoli, creamy soup, and a cheesy, bread crumb topping creates a symphony of textures and flavors that’s truly hard to resist. And the best part? It’s easy to make! Regardless of your cooking skills, you can pull this off. Trust me on this one. I love this recipe because it reminds me of home. It’s a dish that’s full of love, warmth, and comfort. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do.
Ingredients
- 2 whole chicken breasts
- 20 oz. pkg. chopped frozen broccoli
- 2 cans cream of celery soup
- 1 tsp. curry powder
- 2 tsp. lemon juice
- 6 to 8 slices American cheese
- 8 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1 c. plain bread crumbs
- 1/2 stick margarine
Baking Instructions
- Butter sides and bottom of 13 x 9-inch dish.
- Boil and debone chicken.
- Chop in bite size pieces.
- Steam broccoli until crisp and lay broccoli in bottom of dish.
- Spread chicken on top.
- Place American cheese evenly on top of chicken.
- Open 2 cans soup and place 1/2 teaspoon curry powder and 1 teaspoon lemon juice in each can.
- Stir.
- Pour the soup on top of the cheese and spread evenly. Slice Cheddar cheese and place evenly over soup.
- Melt 1/2 stick margarine.
- Add 1 cup bread crumbs and stir until moist.
- Sprinkle crumb mixture on top of casserole.
- Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes.
Calorie: 650
Total cooking time: 1 hour
Difficulty level: Easy
The Great Kitchen Standup: A Tale of Chicken Divan
Brace yourselves, folks, for I am about to narrate the laughably chaotic, yet weirdly successful, undertaking of my Chicken Divan. It happened on a day when the universe conspired to make simple things complex. So, sit back, grab a snack, and get ready for this delectable story.
Chapter 1: The Chicken and The Broccoli Dance
It began with two innocent **chicken breasts**, who were destined for greatness, and a 20 oz. pkg. of **frozen broccoli** that was about to get a steamy makeover. After buttering the sides and bottom of a 13 x 9-inch dish (and making a mess of the counter), I boiled and deboned the chicken. And let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like the aroma of cooking chicken – it’s like a siren song for your appetite.
Then, it was time to steam the broccoli. As it hissed and steamed, I imagined the broccoli having a spa day, relaxing in a steam room before its big performance. Once crisp, I laid the broccoli down in the dish – a green carpet for the chicken to strut its stuff.
Chapter 2: The Cheesy Drama
Next up was the **American cheese**. This is where the drama really kicked in. As I placed six to eight slices evenly on top of the chicken, I felt like an interior decorator – a culinary Picasso, if you will.
Then came the **cream of celery soup** duet, each can getting a dash of **curry powder** and **lemon juice**. Stirring the soup felt like mixing a potion, adding spices here and there, a tiny whirlpool forming in the can. I poured this concoction over the cheese, spreading it evenly. It was like watching an edible lava flow.
Chapter 3: The Cheddar Monologue
The **Cheddar cheese** made a grand entrance next, sliced and placed evenly over the soup. Each slice felt like a golden ticket, promising a gooey, cheesy paradise. The anticipation was beautiful, it was like watching the curtain rise before a grand performance.
Chapter 4: The Crumby Finale
Finally, the pièce de résistance, the **bread crumbs**. After melting a 1/2 stick of **margarine**, I added a cup of bread crumbs and stirred until moist. It was like watching a beach form in my pan, the margarine waves crashing against the breadcrumb shore. As I sprinkled the crumbs atop the casserole, I felt a sense of accomplishment. It was the crown atop my culinary masterpiece.
Into the oven it went, 350° for 35 to 40 minutes. As the oven heated, the kitchen filled with a mouthwatering aroma, making the wait feel like torture. I mean, who wouldn’t be tempted by the siren smells of cheese and chicken coming together in a harmonious symphony?
Epilogue: The Taste of Victory
And then, the timer went off. Out came the Chicken Divan, bubbling and golden. And let me tell you, folks, it was worth every haphazard, humorous moment. Each bite was a burst of flavors – the chicken, the broccoli, the cheese, the soup, the crumbs – all blending together like a well-rehearsed orchestra.
So, there you have it. My chaotic, humorous, yet ultimately successful, journey into the world of Chicken Divan. And if I can pull this off, with all the culinary clumsiness and cheesy drama, trust me, so can you! Until next time, keep the butter handy and the oven preheated. Happy cooking!
