Chicken Divan - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 large head broccoli, trimmed and cut into 4-inch spears
1/4 cup unsalted butter, diced (1/2 stick)
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream, well chilled
3 tablespoons dry sherry (medium dry)
fresh lemon juice
kosher salt
fresh ground black pepper
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and sliced thin

Preparation

Heat a large saucepan, with salted water, to boiling; cook broccoli until tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
Drain broccoli, set aside, cover to keep warm.
Meanwhile, in another heavy saucepan, melt butter over low heat; stir in flour and continue stirring for about 3 minutes.
Slowly stir in broth and bring to a boil; continue cooking and stirring until the mixture gets thick, about 10 minutes.
Beat cream,with an electric mixer, until stiff peaks form; fold into flour mixture, along with sherry and enough lemon juice to taste.
Season with salt and pepper.
Arrange broccoli in a flame-proof platter; pour over half the sauce.
Stir 1/4 cup of the Parmesan into the remaining sauce; arrange chicken on top of the broccoli,then pour the 2nd half of the sauce over it.
Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and broil about 6 inches from the heat, until the sauce is golden and bubbly, about 1 minute.