3 slices bacon, but into 1-inch pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, sliced
2 carrots, sliced
3 cloves garlic, halved
4 sprigs fresh or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 bay leaf
2 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) Great Northern beans or 3 cups cooked dry-packaged Great Northern beans, rinsed, drained
1 cup chicken stock
Salt
Pepper
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into halves
3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil
1 package (1 pound) frozen phyllo dough, thawed
1 to 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, melted
Thyme Butter Sauce (recipe follows)
Cook bacon until beginning to brown in large skillet; add onion, celery, carrots and garlic. Sauté until onion is tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add thyme and bay leaf; sauté 1 minute. Add beans and chicken stock; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are tender, 10 to 15 minutes; drain and discard any remaining stock. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sauté chicken in oil until browned on all sides in large skillet; drain and cool. Preheat oven to 350º F. Lay 1 phyllo sheet on clean surface; brush lightly with melted butter. Layer with 3 more sheets phyllo, brushing each with butter. Keep remaining phyllo covered with damp towel to prevent drying. Cut buttered phyllo stack into 4 equal squares. Place chicken breast piece in center of each square and top with about 1/4 cup bean mixture. Fold sides of squares in and roll up to form packets. Place packets, seam side down on parchment-lined cookie sheet; brush tops of packets with melted butter. Repeat with remaining phyllo, melted butter, chicken and bean mixture. Bake in preheated oven until phyllo is golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Place on plates; serve with Thyme Butter Sauce.
Thyme Butter Sauce – Makes about 2 cups
3 ounces shallots, chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 pound unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes, softened
Salt
White pepper
4 sprigs fresh or 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
Preparation
Heat shallots, wine and vinegar to boiling in medium saucepan; reduce heat and simmer rapidly until liquid is reduced to 2 tablespoons. Stir in cream and simmer rapidly until very thick. Reduce heat to low. Add butter to saucepan, 1 piece at a time, whisking constantly. Strain; discard shallots. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove thyme leaves from stems; stir into sauce.
NOTE: Although B.E.A.N. recipes usually call for a specific variety, any canned or dry-packaged bean variety can be easily substituted for another. Nutrient Information (no sauce)- Per serving: Calories 742; Fat 37g; % Calories from Fat 45; Carbohydrate 58g; Sodium 407mg; Protein 43g; Cholesterol 145mg Nutrient Information (sauce only)- Per serving: Calories 453; Fat 49g; % Calories from Fat 94; Carbohydrate 4g; Sodium 11mg; Protein 1g; Cholesterol 135mg
