Entrees

Dinner Party Chicken

Ingredients:

4 (1/2-inch thick) slices sandwich bread
2 teaspoons melted unsalted butter, plus 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
4 (1/8-inch thick) slices boiled ham
4 (6 to 7-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 teaspoon Essence or Creole Seasoning, recipe follows
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning chicken
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning chicken
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup minced shallots
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon herbes de Provence
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 cups peeled, seeded and chopped fresh tomatoes
1 1/2 cups chicken stock or canned low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for garnish
2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme