Chicken Divan:
Made Light & Easy!

Did you know that the Chicken Divan recipe originated in the USA, not France? It’s true. The dish is actually a classic American casserole developed in the 1930s and named after the place of its creation.

The location was the Divan Parisien Restaurant at the Chatham Hotel in New York City. Chicken Divan served as the signature dish in the elegant French restaurant. (See images on right.)

The creator of the dish, Chef Lagasi, kept the recipe a secret. But, by the 1950s knock-off recipes began to circulate and the dish was enjoyed throughout the country.

Recipe contributor Jackie Spencer offers a healthy variation that pays tribute to the original recipe, while making it lighter in fat and less complex to prepare — she calls her adaptation Light Chicken Divan. Give it a try, it’s fast, easy and captures the distinctive savory flavor.­

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