Chicken Divan – In a Word – Yuck!

In keeping with my self-challenge of trying at least one new recipe a week, I prepared Chicken Divan for supper tonight.  When Paula made it, it looked delicious…worth trying.  She “ooohed” over her taste test like only Paula can.   She even said it was a recipe every new bride should have in her recipe box.   I wondered how I could have missed this old faithful recipe for so many years.  I gathered the many ingredients and fixed it for supper.   Our opinion of this dish doesn’t jive.  It definitely won’t be filed away in one of my  recipe boxes nor will I waste the ingredients again.   I rarely throw food away, but I didn’t even save the leftovers for another time.  My DH was reserved and very polite in his review until I gave him mine.  (He grew up in a house full of women and learned early to be careful when critiquing a woman’s cooking.  He is truly a wise man)  I could read the relief on his face when I said I would never make it again, and his review became a bit freer.  He didn’t even object when I scraped what was left into the garbage.   I can’t suggest anyone try this recipe and give it a decisive thumbs down…The sauce is way too rich and over-powering for my palate.  If you decide to try it in spite of my review, I’d love to hear what you and yours thought of it.

Chicken Divan
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Ingredients

* 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen broccoli, chopped
* 6 cups shredded chicken, cooked
* 2 (10 3/4-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
* 1 cup mayonnaise
* 1 cup sour cream
* 1 cup grated sharp Cheddar
* 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon curry powder
* Salt and pepper
* 1/2 cup dry white wine
* 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
* 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
* 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Remove the outer wrappers from the boxes of broccoli. Open 1 end of each box. Microwave on full power for 2 minutes, until thawed. Drain the broccoli and put into a casserole dish. Add the shredded chicken.

In a medium bowl, combine the soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, Cheddar, lemon juice, curry powder, salt and pepper, to taste, and wine. Whisk together to make a sauce. Pour the sauce over the broccoli and chicken. Mix well with a spatula.

Place the mixture into an 11 by 7-inch casserole dish or 2 (9-inch) square disposable aluminum foil pans that have been sprayed with vegetable oil cooking spray. Pat down evenly and smooth with a spatula. Combine the Parmesan, bread crumbs and butter and sprinkle over the top.

Bake for about 30 to 45 minutes.

Cook’s Note: Try topping with Cheddar or Gruyere cheese.

Until next time…

You must forgive someone their faults or you will never get close enough to admire their goodness.  ~ unknown ~

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