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Welcome to Simple Fare, Fairly Simple. This is a place for me to post recipes of all kinds...along with other miscellaneous fodder from my so-called life here in the south. Who knows what you will find here. Could be anything from my husband...known as IT Guy...to my kids and beautiful grandbabies that are growing up way too fast right before my eyes. But...mostly this will be a place for food. I hope you'll see something you like and if you decide to try something from the list...leave me a comment and let me know!



Monday, March 12, 2012

Here's something that was divine!! Creamy, tasty, easy...so many good things about this dish. It made a nice 9x13 inch dish that would be perfect for company or it would be so easy to split into two smaller pans and save one for later! I plan on reheating the leftovers for IT Guy...he will be a happy man!

Cheddar Chicken Divan



3 cups broccoli florets
1 rotisserie chicken – about 3 – 4 cups, rough chopped
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 tablespoons chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups grated cheddar/jack cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a small to medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour with a whisk. Let it cook for a couple of minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in milk.

Return mixture to the heat. Stirring constantly with the whisk, bring the mixture to a boil, until thickened and smooth.
Stir in nutmeg, chicken stock and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer another minute. Stir in lemon juice. Cover and keep over very low heat.

Cook broccoli in salted, boiling water until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain, then arrange it in one layer in a 9x13 baking dish.

Sprinkle broccoli with about half the grated cheese. Arrange chicken on top of the broccoli.

Whisk heavy cream into the white sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over chicken and broccoli. Sprinkle with remaining grated cheese.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 – 30 minutes  then broil for a few minutes until the top has turned golden brown.



Here's the line-up.


Melt the butter then add the flour.


Let it bubble for a bit...


..then add the milk and stir. Allow it to thicken then...


...add the nutmeg, Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock and lemon juice. Cover and keep warm over a low heat.


Add cream, salt and pepper to the white sauce.


Layer the cooked broccoli and half of
 the cheese in the bottom of a 9x13 pan.


Then top with chicken.


Pour the warm white sauce over the chicken.


Top with remaining cheese.


Bake for about 20 - 30 minutes 
then broil until the top is lightly browned.


Allow to sit for a few minutes then serve it up!!!