French Chicken Broccoli Supreme

This was a fantastic casserole.  Lick your plate, go back for fourths, good.  The original recipe has 1 2/3 sticks of butter.  I cut it down to 1 stick.  Didn't miss it.  I also cut the ritz crackers down to 1 roll, which was originally 2.  Two rolls, no doubt would be better, in which case you need another 1/2 stick of melted butter, but 1 roll was satisfying. UPDATE:  I compromised and did 1 1/2 rolls the last time I made it, and added 2-3 more TBSP of melted butter.

I had a blond moment and added my lemon juice to the milk as it was thickening which of course caused the milk to curdle terribly.  I strained the nastiness and continued and the sauce still came out fabulous!  Loved the hint of lemon with it.

The kids all ate this heartily, and my husband went back for more after his first plateful.  It was just plain delish. 

FRENCH CHICKEN BROCCOLI SUPREME

 adapted from:  http://www.justgetoffyourbuttandbake.com

INGREDIENTS:

•   1 – lb. fresh broccoli Break in pieces, and steam for 2 minutes. (was 2 heads for me)
•  3 cups cooked chicken breasts  – Break up in small pieces
•  3 cups Grated Cheddar Cheese divided
• 1 tubes Ritz Crackers
•  1/2 stick melted butter
•  1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• zest of one lemon and squeeze of juice over broccoli and chicken

  SAUCE:

•  1/4 C. Butter melted
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 C. Cornstarch, dissolved in cold milk
•  1/3 C. wine or chicken broth (I used wine....  mmm!)
• 1/4 tsp. Salt
•  1/4 tsp Pepper
• 1 1/2 cups of the above Cheddar Cheese

DIRECTIONS:

In greased 13×9 pan, layer the broccoli and chicken. Sprinkle the zest and juice over it and then set aside. In saucepan over medium heat, combine the melted butter, cornstarch dissolved in milk, wine or chicken broth, and seasonings. Stir well, and continue stirring until sauce has thickened. Turn heat down to low, and add 1- 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese. Stir until melted. Pour over the chicken and broccoli. Top with 1- 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese.

Melt the butter, and add the poppy seeds, and stir well. Crush Ritz crackers in large zip-lock bag with a rolling pin. Don’t crush too small. Add crumbs to the melted butter. Sprinkle crumbs over the top of the grated cheese.
Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until hot & bubbly.   Can serve over pasta or rice or by itself.

Eat and enjoy!