Chicken Divan


Chicken Divan is a chicken casserole usually served with broccoli and Mornay sauce. It was named after the place of its invention, the Divan Parisien Restaurant in the New York City Chatham Hotel where it was served as the signature dish in the early twentieth century. Its creator was a chef named Lagasi. In French, the word divan refers to a meeting place or great hall.
The dish is now commonly prepared with regular Parmesan cheese and remains one of the most classic American casserole dishes today. A "quick" version can be made with pre-cooked chicken breasts, prepared mayonnaise and canned soup. Some versions are topped with potato chips, in a manner similar to that of funeral potatoes.

History

iFood.tv says it "was originally made by the chefs of the Divan Parisien restaurant of the New York Chatham Hotel. It is considered that the dish was given this name to imply elegance and attract attention of the restaurant's owners. It was a signature dish of the restaurant in the early twentieth century, though the exact chefs who contributed to its making are not known. But we do know the chef who created the dish. His name was Anthony Lagasi, and he received an award from the hotel for the creation of the dish."