Creamy Smoky Baked Chicken With Ham

This is a old throw back recipe, re-done, but it can't get simpler. I don't often use soup in my recipes, but I really happen to like this one. Paired with smoky ham, white wine and smoky gouda; or even a smoky mozzarella or smoky white cheddar will work. This combination of the smoky ham and cheese is what really makes this dish. To serve, try a wild white rice blend or even just white rice. I like to add some fresh scallions to finish off the rice.

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 4 Chicken Breasts

Ingredients

• 1  lb boneless skinless chicken breast (4 breasts)
• 1  cup smoked ham, chopped pretty fine (important to use a smoky ham, this is a key ingredient for this dish. I bought a slice of smoked ham)
• 1 (11 ounce) can  condensed cream of chicken soup, I use the 99% fat free (less salt)
• 1⁄2 cup sour cream (low fat will work, but not the FAT free)
• 1⁄4 cup white wine
• 1  cup  smoky gouda cheese, grated (smoky mozzarella or even smoky WHITE cheddar will work)
• 1  teaspoon fresh tarragon (1 tablespoon fresh parsley, fine chopped would be a good substitute, I use more parsley as it is not)
•  pepper, fresh ground
•  salt

Directions

1. Chicken -- First and most important, bring your chicken to room temp and season well with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Casserole -- Pick a pan so that all 4 breasts fit well side by side. You want the sauce on the chicken not sitting on the bottom of the pan. Too big of pan does not work well for this dish. Spray with a non stick such as Pam and add your chicken.
3. Sauce -- In a small bowl, add the sour cream, soup, white wine and ham and mix well.
4. Spoon the sauce over each chicken breast and top with a light sprinkle of black pepper.
5. Bake -- Heat the oven to 325 degrees and bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Top with 1/4 cup of the cheese and cook another 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and gooey.
6. Serve -- I love a mix of wild and white rice (Uncle Bens is great, Whole Foods has a great brown rice, or just any white rice will work. I garnish the rice with fresh scallions (white and green parts) and cooked chicken broth which I think really helps. Then add each breast and any additional sauce over the top. Garnish with the fresh tarragon or you can use parsley. Roasted lemon zucchini is a great side dish.