Chicken and Polenta Casserole

This sounded so good. I love a good polenta.  But I have to be honest ........it was kind of a 5 on a scale of 10 for me.  It depends on your taste.  It's a great choice if you are looking for something different from the usual.  My girls wouldn't eat it. I picked out the chicken for them.  They won't eat much though.  If nothing else - I may use the first part of this recipe to make simple polenta again.

If you try this - I'd love to know what you think.

Ingredients:

1 32 oz container chicken broth
2 tbls butter
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 cup yellow cornmeal
3/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 12 oz jar marinated quartered artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped
1 12 oz jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
4 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 16 oz jar roasted garlic Alfredo sauce
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
1 1/2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend

Bring first 3 ingredients to a boil in a large saucepan; gradually whisk in cornmeal.  Cook 4 minutes or until thickened and bubbly, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat, stir in parmesan cheese.  Spoon polenta into a baking dish.  Cool 10 minutes.

Sprinkle artichoke hearts, peppers and chicken evenly over polenta.  Pour alfredo sauce over chicken.  Sprinkle with basil; top with Italian cheese blend.  Cover and chill until ready to bake.

Before baking, place pan on center of a baking sheet.  Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until casserole is thoroughly heated.

{Source: Christmas with Southern Living 2005, Page 167}