Chicken Divan Soup
This is a version of Chicken Divan turned into a soup, basically Cream of Broccoli with Chicken. My wife use to eat Chicken Divan when she was in a sorority and wanted me to make it for her. I made this for her instead.
Real Chicken Divan has mushrooms, but my wife doesn't like them and I don't miss them in the soup.
This is a quick and hearty soup to make, perfect now that the temperature has dropped to 60° here in Florida.
Thanks for taking a look, and if you like this instructable please give me a vote.
Real Chicken Divan has mushrooms, but my wife doesn't like them and I don't miss them in the soup.
This is a quick and hearty soup to make, perfect now that the temperature has dropped to 60° here in Florida.
Thanks for taking a look, and if you like this instructable please give me a vote.
Ingredients
1 1/2 lb. Chicken (3 chicken breasts)
Carrots
Celery
Onion
Garlic
Everglades Seasoning
64 oz. Chicken Broth (homemade chicken stock if you have it, I ran out)
16oz. Broccoli bits (a bag of frozen pieces, no need to get the fancy florets)
Salt
Butter
Flour
Milk
8 oz. Cream Cheese
Most of the measurements are based on personal taste and what I happen to have available.
Carrots
Celery
Onion
Garlic
Everglades Seasoning
64 oz. Chicken Broth (homemade chicken stock if you have it, I ran out)
16oz. Broccoli bits (a bag of frozen pieces, no need to get the fancy florets)
Salt
Butter
Flour
Milk
8 oz. Cream Cheese
Most of the measurements are based on personal taste and what I happen to have available.
Prep Work
Get a large pot of water and start heating it up. I boil the chicken for about 6 minutes. Depending on the thickness that should be enough time to cook 3 chicken breasts. If you are unsure just cut some of the thicker pieces and check to see if all the pink is gone.
While the chicken and the water are boiling you can cut the vegetables. Make sure to keep you cutting boards separate to prevent cross-contamination. In the photo it looks like a lot of vegetables, but I am making another soup that I need them for. Many soups start with the same basic framework. Cooked onions, carrots, and celery create a nice base flavor to build upon.
While the chicken and the water are boiling you can cut the vegetables. Make sure to keep you cutting boards separate to prevent cross-contamination. In the photo it looks like a lot of vegetables, but I am making another soup that I need them for. Many soups start with the same basic framework. Cooked onions, carrots, and celery create a nice base flavor to build upon.
Adding Flavor to the Stock
Once the chicken is done, set aside the chicken and let it cool.
Rinse out the pot and add some olive oil and some garlic. Use medium to high heat and add the onion, carrot, and celery and cook that down until the are soft and tender. Add some of Everglade Seasoning, if you are unfortunate enough not to have any use salt, black pepper, celery salt, red pepper, and whatever else you think might work.
When the onion turns translucent add the chicken broth. Turn down the temperature to simmer and add a bay leaf.
Rinse out the pot and add some olive oil and some garlic. Use medium to high heat and add the onion, carrot, and celery and cook that down until the are soft and tender. Add some of Everglade Seasoning, if you are unfortunate enough not to have any use salt, black pepper, celery salt, red pepper, and whatever else you think might work.
When the onion turns translucent add the chicken broth. Turn down the temperature to simmer and add a bay leaf.
The Roux!
After the broth has simmered awhile with the bay leaf in it., turn off the heat and let it cool down a bit.
In a medium sauce pan melt some butter (4 to 8 tablespoons) and add to that an equal amount of flour. Keep stirring and it is going to turn into a paste. I let might get yellowish-brown I don't like mine too dark.
Then add some milk a little at a time. It will thicken up quickly, don't worry, just keep stirring and adding milk until you get the desired thickness. Use an stick blender or immersion blender to get it really smooth.
I like to do this in a separate saucepan so I can add as much or as little as I need.
In a medium sauce pan melt some butter (4 to 8 tablespoons) and add to that an equal amount of flour. Keep stirring and it is going to turn into a paste. I let might get yellowish-brown I don't like mine too dark.
Then add some milk a little at a time. It will thicken up quickly, don't worry, just keep stirring and adding milk until you get the desired thickness. Use an stick blender or immersion blender to get it really smooth.
I like to do this in a separate saucepan so I can add as much or as little as I need.
Finishing Up
The soup should be off the heat now. Add the cooked broccoli to the broth and blend well.
Add the roux and mix some more. If the soup is too hot it will start to cook a thick roux.
Slice up a block of cream cheese and blend it into the soup, this adds an extra creaminess to the soup. You can also add some cheddar or parmesan too at this point.
Once you have everything blended, turn on the heat to a simmer and add the chicken. Let warm up to a suitable serving temperature and enjoy.
I hope this give you an idea for the basic framework of this soup. Go ahead and fell free to add and subtract where you see fit. It comes out a little different each time i make it. I started using less chicken and more cheese. This is a simple and comforting soup, give it a try and let me know what you think.
And don't forget to give me a vote for the soup contest.
Add the roux and mix some more. If the soup is too hot it will start to cook a thick roux.
Slice up a block of cream cheese and blend it into the soup, this adds an extra creaminess to the soup. You can also add some cheddar or parmesan too at this point.
Once you have everything blended, turn on the heat to a simmer and add the chicken. Let warm up to a suitable serving temperature and enjoy.
I hope this give you an idea for the basic framework of this soup. Go ahead and fell free to add and subtract where you see fit. It comes out a little different each time i make it. I started using less chicken and more cheese. This is a simple and comforting soup, give it a try and let me know what you think.
And don't forget to give me a vote for the soup contest.