Chicken With Creamy Dreamy Braised Leeks Recipes

CHICKEN WITH CREAMY-DREAMY BRAISED LEEKS

Steps:

• Trim the roots and dark green tops from leeks, leaving 5 to 6 inches of white and light green. Cut leeks in half lengthwise and rinse well. Place leeks in a single layer in a 9x13-inch baking dish, nesting them together. Pour in the chicken broth. Add the garlic and thyme into the broth between the leeks.
• Bake in a preheated 425-degree oven for 40 minutes. After about 30 minutes, sprinkle the chicken with 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add the chicken and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from the heat.
• Remove the leeks from the oven after 40 minutes and nestle the chicken into them. Add cream and the remaining 1/4 tsp. salt to the hot skillet (do NOT turn burner back on). Stir any browned bits and let the cream heat from the warmth of the pan. Pour cream mixture over the leeks and chicken.
• Return the baking dish to the oven and bake until chicken is tender, about 20-25 minutes. Serve the chicken with the braised leeks, spooning the sauce over both.

BRAISED CHICKEN BREASTS ON CREAMY LEEKS

Steps:

• Halve leeks lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces.
• Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil and 1/2 tablespoon butter in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then brown chicken on both sides, about 4 minutes total. Transfer to a plate.
• Add wine to skillet and deglaze by boiling over high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, until reduced to about 2 tablespoons, 1 to 2 minutes. Add leeks and remaining 2 tablespoons butter and salt and pepper to taste, then simmer over moderately low heat, covered, stirring occasionally, until leeks are wilted, about 10 minutes. Stir in broth. Top leeks with chicken breasts and juices from plate, then gently simmer over low heat, covered, until leeks are tender and chicken is just cooked through, about 8 minutes .
• Transfer chicken breasts to a plate. Add cream to skillet and boil over high heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve chicken on top of leeks.