I have discovered something eye-opening over the last couple of days. I’ve been entering receipts and getting things together from last year so that we can do our taxes soon. And I can’t believe some changes that I’ve unintentionally made over the last few months!!
One of my new things is weekly menu planning. I used to try to plan 3 days at a time, but then when I was working, I kind of let things go. I found myself going to the grocery store multiple times a week – sometimes every day on my way home from work. Well, since I’ve been able to stay at home, and since grocery shopping with a 2 year old is not the easiest thing to do, I’ve been really trying to make and stick with a weekly menu plan, going to the grocery store only once a week. And guess what? I’m not only cooking more often, but I’ve cut my grocery bill by a ton. I’m probably spending only half – maybe even a third – of what I was spending before my weekly grocery trip! Maybe it’s because I’m not making as many impulse buys, or maybe it’s because I’m planning smarter since I’m trying to be budget-conscious so I don’t have to go back to work. But no matter why – I have truly been converted to menu planning!!
Not that this dish really has anything to do with menu planning, but it was on the menu! I think that Chicken Divan is one of those dishes that most of us have had – or at least a version of it – at one time or another in our lives. And I can tell why, because this is a delicious, family friendly meal. I think this is probably a great way to get your children to eat their veggies! And I’ve mentioned before that I’m not a fan of instant rice, but this is one way that I don’t mind it. Which was great, because it was a great way to get rid of the rest of the box in my pantry!
Chicken Divan
From America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook
Serves 6 to 8
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 to 8 ounces each), trimmed
salt and pepper
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 cups instant rice
2 (10-ounce) packages frozen broccoli spears, thawed and chopped medium
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (2 cups)
36 Ritz crackers (1 sleeve), crushed to coarse crumbs
Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 450 degrees. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then cut into 2-inch chunks. Spread in a 9 by 13-inch baking dish and season with salt and pepper.
Whisk the cream, broth, and mustard together in a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high until boiling, about 8 minutes.
Stir the rice into the cream mixture, then pour over the chicken. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
Pat the broccoli dry, then stir with the cheddar cheese into the baking dish. Sprinkle the Ritz crumbs over the top. Continue to bake until the edges are bubbling and the crumbs are browned, 5-10 minutes.
If I don't have a menu plan before I go grocery shopping, I make impulse buys left and right. Sigh. No good.
This chicken divan looks delicious! I love how quick and easy it is…a serious comfort food casserole.
That casserole must be delicious! I love that unusual combination of ingredients.
Cheers,
Rosa
I agree with you 100%. If I make several trips to the store during the week I spend much more money. If I go only once (which I prefer anyway) then I save a lot of money. Also, I recently watched a show on TLC called Extreme Couponing and after watching the show I started clipping coupons and coordinating them with the sale ads. I've found coupons for a lot of whole foods too (milk, eggs, juice, etc). It's been really helpful. I've been saving tons at the store.
I've never had chicken divan but know instantly that I would love it. Anything with Dijon is always good in my book.
Mmmmmm. What lovely comfort food. Wish I had some now!
I haven't made this forever! I am going to put it on the menu next week.
I am right there with you. Meal planning has made a huge difference for us too. I also love it when 3:00 rolls around and I already know what I am going to make and know I am ready to make it. Any reduction in stress is a good one, right?
I love meal planning too! I have a 4 and 2 year old so if I try to cut down on my trips to the grocery store with them since it can be kind of crazy! I plan a weekly meal and shop once a week. It saves time and money, for sure.
I used to be real good about meal planning but have gotten off track with it lately. thanks for inspiring me to start doing it again!
I remember Chicken or Turkey Divan at my Grandmas when I was growing up. Used to really love the stuff and even became a fan of Stouffers version when I was single and not cooking.
Making a weekly menu is something I really need to do. Between work, the gym and volunteering, I have precious little time to worry about what to make for dinner. The chicken divan looks really good- easy too. 🙂
oh yum, i love the dijon in there!
Menu planning is a great way to shop. Some weeks it works for me and some weeks it doesn't. I love Chicken Divan.
I've been making more of an effort to menu plan as well…all I can say is that some weeks have gone better than others! I'm looking forward to putting this on the menu in the coming weeks 🙂
I love this kind of comforting hotdish. I think doing a menu does make a huge difference especially since you can plan to use an ingredient in more than one dish instead of throwing stuff out.
i ate this at every church potluck we ever attended, but i didn't know it as chicken divan until i saw it on paula deen's show. goooood stuff.
This looks tasty!! I don't think I've ever had chicken divan…I've seen recipes for it for years, but I keep neglecting to make it. But this post has me drooling!
Do I put the instant rice into the casserole not cooked?
Pat, yep – you put it into the cream mixture not cooked. It will cook as the casserole cooks.
I just wanted to vouch that this recipe is delicious! Based on the ingredients, I really didn’t expect this to be very exciting. I’m glad that I tried it, because it is awesome! It’s definitely a “comfort” food type dish, but not in a bland way – in a creamy, flavorful, cheesy way. My husband thought it was “great” and “definitely” something to make again. I highly recommend it!
Yay – thanks for letting me know. So glad you loved it!
Am I reading the recipe right? 450 degrees sounds so hot to me.
Yep – the temperature is correct. 🙂
How long do you cook the chicken? Do you turn it and cook on all sides?