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Chicken Eden Isle Recipe

Chicken Eden Isle

Classic Chicken Eden Isle: bacon-wrapped chicken breasts baked low and slow over dried beef in a creamy sour cream and cream cheese sauce. Serve it over rice for an easy Southern party dish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 610
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and beef
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 6 to 7 oz each
  • 4 slices bacon regular cut
  • 1 jar dried beef 2.25 to 2.5 oz, torn into pieces; rinsed if you prefer less salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper no salt needed
Creamy sauce
  • 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup 10.5 oz; or cream of mushroom
  • 1 cup sour cream 8 oz, full-fat
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika optional, for the top
To serve
  • cooked white rice for serving
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

  • Baking dish (8x8 or 11x7-inch)
  • Aluminum foil
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk or hand mixer
  • Instant-read thermometer

Method
 

  1. Layer the beef: Heat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and lightly grease an 8x8 or 11x7-inch baking dish. Scatter the torn dried beef over the bottom in an even layer.
  2. Wrap the chicken: Pat the chicken dry and pound any thick ends to an even 3/4 inch. Season with pepper, wrap one slice of bacon around each breast, tuck the ends underneath (use a toothpick if needed) and set the breasts on the beef, seam side down.
  3. Mix the sauce: Beat the cream cheese until smooth, then whisk in the soup and sour cream until no lumps remain.
  4. Bake covered: Spread the sauce over the chicken all the way to the edges. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour 30 minutes.
  5. Uncover and finish: Remove the foil, dust with paprika if using, and bake 20 to 30 minutes more, until the edges are lightly golden and the chicken reads 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.
    Chicken Eden Isle Recipe
  6. Rest and serve: Rest 10 minutes, remove any toothpicks, stir the pan sauce and serve over rice with chopped parsley.
    Chicken Eden Isle Recipe

Notes

Salt: Don't add salt. The dried beef, bacon and soup season the dish. Rinse the beef and use low-sodium soup to reduce sodium further.
Bacon color: For browner bacon, par-cook the slices in a skillet for 2 to 3 minutes before wrapping.
Make ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours ahead, refrigerate covered, and add 10 to 15 minutes to the covered bake.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months. Reheat covered at 325°F.
Nutrition is calculated per serving without rice; one cup of cooked rice adds about 200 calories.