Chicken Strudel

January 8, 2023

RECIPE and METHOD, HOLLY HOTEL CHICKEN STRUDEL HOLLANDAISE

Perhaps the most popular dinner entrée at the Holly Hotel is our Chicken Strudel. Appearing on our opening dinner menu in October 1979, Chicken Strudel has constantly remained on our menu and is virtually unchanged.

This is an easy recipe. Creamy Boursin cheese, roasted chicken and broccoli florets blend well together and produce a delightful and flavorful entrée. Always presents well on a plate!

Prep time is 25 minutes. Yield is six strudels.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease small sheet pan.

6 cups cooked chicken, shredded

10 ounces Boursin Cheese or herbed cream cheese (see below)

12 sheets good quality phyllo pastry

1-2 heads fresh broccoli, florets only

½ tsp fresh or dried thyme

½ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

½ cup melted butter

3 eggs separated

1 tbl Dijon mustard

1 tbl lemon juice

1 tsp hot sauce or pinch of cayenne pepper

Bring to boil one quart of salted water. Add salt and broccoli florets. Return to boil for 5-8 minutes then remove from heat, strain and place broccoli on an ice bath to stop cooking. Set aside.
Shred the cooked chicken into small irregular pieces. You can use any chicken you have on hand (deli chicken works well.) Deboned and skin discarded.
In a large bowl, hand mix the chicken, boursin cheese, thyme, salt and pepper. When well mixed, add broccoli florets and mix carefully to coat. You do not want the broccoli to fall apart in your mix.
On a clean surface lay out two sheets of phyllo. With a pastry brush, lightly coat the top sheet with the melted butter, covering all of the sheet.
On the short side facing you, add four heaping tablespoons of the chicken and broccoli mix to the center of one end. Carefully fold the phyllo over the mixture twice.
Fold in the sides of phyllo and continue to roll until sealed.
Brush your completed strudel with butter or egg white wash. Place on greased sheet tray and bake immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Place the strudels in a preheated 350 degree oven, evenly spaced. Brush the tops with the egg white wash or a blend of olive oil and butter. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until phyllo begins to brown on the center and slightly darker brown on the edges. Serve immediately.

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A heartwarming article on a cold January day

January 29, 2026

Information provided by article from The Oakland Press: See article linked below. For a few meaningful hours, the historic Holly Hotel briefly came back to life as part of the Echoes in the Iron music series, a Michigan-based project that brings original music into unique, small-town spaces. Local musicians, including Ashley and Aaron Markovitz and Trey Simon, gathered inside the still-closed hotel to record an intimate acoustic session. For many, the experience was deeply personal, especially for the Markovitz duo, who first met next door and have strong ties to the space. Created by Brandon Still and Bill Arnold, Echoes in the Iron focuses on connecting artists with the places that shape their stories. Filmed in locations across Michigan, the series highlights the emotional connection between music, community, and history. The Holly Hotel session quickly gained attention online, reflecting the strong community sentiment tied to the landmark, which has remained closed since a 2022 fire but continues to hold a special place in the hearts of locals. Read the full story to experience the music, memories, and meaning behind this powerful Holly Hotel session. https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2026/01/21/holly-hotel-brought-back-to-life-with-one-time-recording-session