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1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (or C if you like your food burnt, or K if you like your chicken undercooked).
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2
Chop up and steam the broccoli for 10 minutesno more!
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3
It should be brilliant and green.
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4
Shock in cold ice water the second it is done.
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5
Leave it there for now.
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6
Meanwhile, season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then brown for 2 minutes each side in a saute pan.
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7
Remove and roll in cracker crumbs.
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8
Place in a 9x9 baking dish.
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9
Toss broccoli in the baking dish as well.
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10
You can do this artistically or haphazardly.
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11
Now make the cheese sauce.
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12
Melt the butter in a saucepan (do not burn!).
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13
Toss in the flour and whisk until it is silky smooth.
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14
Let it turn slightly tan, then pour in the half-and-half (or milk, or cream, your choice).
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15
Whisk quickly until the roux is dissolved.
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16
You may need to take it off the hot eye a few times to keep it from curdling.
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17
Anyway, once that is done, toss in your grated cheese.
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18
Stir until the cheese is melted.
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19
Add spices to taste (red or black pepper work nicely).
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20
Pour over chicken and broccoli.
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21
Top with remaining cheese or cracker crumbs.
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22
Bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken is done and wont kill people.
