Sunshine Chicken Strata

Description
This is a recipe I obtained from an Estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Monroe Estate in Stephenville, Texas in 1982.
 * Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

Ingredients

 * 10 slices cubed day old home-style bread with crusts removed
 * 6 cups diced cooked chicken
 * 1 small can mushrooms drained and diced
 * 1 small can water chestnuts drained and diced
 * 10 slices American cheese
 * ½ cup mayonnaise
 * 4 eggs well beaten
 * 2 cups milk
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * 1 can cream of mushroom soup
 * 1 can cream of celery soup
 * 1 small jar pimentos
 * 2 cups plain bread crumbs

Sauce

 * ½ cup butter
 * 8 ounces fresh mushrooms
 * ¼ cup flour
 * 2 cups chicken broth
 * ¼ cup cream
 * ⅛ teaspoon paprika
 * ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
 * fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

 * 1) Lay cubed bread on bottom of buttered pan.
 * 2) Mix together the chicken, mushrooms, water chestnuts and mayonnaise then spread over the bread cubes.
 * 3) Mix eggs, salt and milk then spread over the chicken layer.
 * 4) Lay cheese slices on top of egg layer.
 * 5) Mix soups and spread over cheese layer.
 * 6) Arrange pimentos over the top of soup layer.
 * 7) Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
 * 8) Uncover and sprinkle with bread crumbs before baking.
 * 9) Bake for 30 minutes in 350°F oven.
 * 10) Spoon sauce over top.
 * 11) To make sauce place all ingredients in sauce pan and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.