April 6th, 2011
Chopped Chicken Divan Casserole, Recipe, Easy, In the Oven in No Time, Served with Plantains
The day I made this recipe was a chilly evening. Easy and ready in about 45 minutes to an hour.
A Chicken Divan was made originally with a very rich Mornay Sauce. Some people use canned cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, and cheese. Calories? You bet!!
This dish was first featured at the Divan Parisien Restaurant in New York City. Guess what? I have my own version, which is a combination of recipes and the chicken is chopped.
Chopped Chicken Divan Casserole
1 package of broccoli florets, steamed in the microwave
4 boneless chicken breasts, chopped in bite size pieces
White Sauce or Mornay Sauce
A White Sauce is also a Bechamel Sauce. It becomes a Mornay Sauce because of the addition of cheese.
1/2 stick butter
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cup of half and half
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 lb. Gruyere cheese (1/4 lb. Gruyere Cheese and 1/4 lb. Parmesan, if you want to), grated
1/4 cup Sherry
Melt butter in a sauce pan. Stir in flour and half and half until thickened. Add the remaining ingredients until everything thickens.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Placed the already microwaved broccoli florets in a buttered baking dish.
Top with chicken. Then top with the already made Mornay Sauce. Sprinkle with pepper and even some Paprika, if you would like to give it more color.
Place in the already pre-heated oven for about 45 minutes but it could take one hour. You want it just browned.
This casserole can be served with rice but I chose to serve it with plantains. In Puerto Rico they are called Aranitas or Spiders. I don’t know what I would call mine.
2 green plantains
oil for frying
The easiest way to peel green plantains is to cut the ends off and place them one by one in the microwave for 1 minute. Give it a cut lenthwise just enough to be able to peel the skin off.
Heat oil for frying.
Grate the plantains and form a nest in your hand. Fry until they are a rich golden color. Turn over and fry for a couple of more minutes. Take out and put on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Mine came out more like flattened ball so you decide if you want that or a nest. Once you get the hang of it, you will see why plantains are a comfort food in many countries. Just like potatoes.
P.S. I used a gluten free flour in my recipe, so this one is gluten free.
Make it your own….and enjoy…
Tags: Chopped Chicken Divan Casserole, Easy, Easy Recipe, entrees, Gluten Free, gluten free recipe, Plantains, Recipe
