It is amazing how just MAKING FOOD educates you…I was getting ready to make this recipe for Chicken Divan (which my family always called Chicken Couch — because why would you NOT?) and noted the 4-6 chicken breasts. I decided to cut the recipe down to 3 chicken breasts and cut everything else roughly in half. Then I cooked the breasts and shredded/chopped them (I’m always such a weanie when it comes to shredding, it takes so long. So I tend to shred and then just give up and start chopping them with a knife). Anyway, I got done and there was SO MUCH CHICKEN! I was like, “there is no way 5 oz of broccoli is going to cover this much chicken”.
So, what did I do? I gave up and went looking on the internet.
No, really.
Did you know back in 1955 (likely when this recipe was first made by my Grandmother M) the average chicken size was only about 3 ½ lbs? Did you also know that by 2016, the average chicken size was 6.18 lbs? (Liu, 2017) That means we are making the “antique, heirloom” recipes with distorted ingredient sizes when it comes to meat. So, when is a chicken breast not a chicken breast? Right effing now.
It doesn’t make this recipe any less delightful or delicious. I just adjusted it (and a few other things – my mother’s recipes are sometimes the BANE of my existence) and plodded on with my love blog to my momma.
Chicken Divan
- 3 chicken breasts (with or without bones)
- 10 oz Broccoli
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
- ¼ teaspoon Curry Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- ½ cup Cheddar Cheese
Topping:
- ½ cup Bread Crumbs
- 1 Tablespoon Butter (melted)
Instructions:
- Boil or bake chicken breasts, cool and debone (if necessary) — shred or chop the chicken.
- Steam broccoli until tender.
- Grease 9×13 cassarole dish and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Layer chicken and broccoli. Combine mayo, chicken soup, curry powder, lemon juice and pour over chicken and broccoli. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
- Mix breadcrumbs and butter, sprinkle over cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve over rice.
