Herbed Chicken Breasts With Buttered Leeks Recipes

PAN-ROASTED CHICKEN WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Put the bacon in a large heavy-bottomed ovenproof skillet and cook over medium-high heat until some of the fat renders, about 5 minutes. Push the bacon to the side of the pan. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then add it to the pan and cook, turning, until it starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and leeks, then arrange the chicken on top of the bacon-leek mixture. Transfer to the oven and roast until the chicken is golden and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 160 degrees F, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a platter.
• Carefully return the skillet to the stovetop over medium-high heat. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the broth and half-and-half and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Bring to a boil and cook until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice. Spoon the leek mixture over the chicken. Serve with the remaining lemon wedges.
• Per serving: Calories 418; Fat 24 g (Saturated 8 g); Cholesterol 147 mg; Sodium 322 mg; Carbohydrate 14 g; Fiber 1 g; Protein 34 g

GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS STUFFED WITH HERB BUTTER

Steps:

• Prepare charcoal or gas grill; heat should be medium-high and rack about 6 inches from fire; keep part of grill cool for indirect cooking. In a small bowl, use a spoon or fork to combine butter and herbs, or use a mini food processor.
• With sharp-bladed knife, cut a 2- to 3-inch slit in deepest part of chicken. Fill with as much herb butter as possible; rub some under skin as well. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper and brush with oil.
• When grill is ready, put chicken skin-side up on cool side of grill. After some fat has been rendered, turn chicken; if it flares up, move to an even cooler part of fire or turn so skin side is up again. When skin has lost its raw look and most of the fat has been rendered, after 20 minutes or so, move chicken directly over fire. Cook, turning now and then, until both sides are browned and flesh is firm and cooked through, 5 to 10 minutes longer. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature, with lemon wedges.

LEEK AND HERB STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a small skillet, saute leeks in oil until almost tender. Add the rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper; saute 1 minute longer. Remove from the heat; cool., Flatten each chicken breast half to 1/4-in. thickness; top with leek mixture. Roll up and secure with toothpicks. , In a small shallow bowl, combine the pecans, bread crumbs, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper. Brush mustard over chicken, then coat with pecan mixture. Place seam side down in a greased 11x7-in. baking dish. Drizzle with oil. , Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink. Discard toothpicks.

CHICKEN WITH GARLIC HERB BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475.
• Season with salt and pepper on both sides.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Drizzle in the olive oil.
• Add the chicken and cook for 2-4 minutes on each side until browned (but not cooked through).
• Transfer browned chicken to preheated oven (if not using an oven-safe skillet, transfer chicken to a greased baking dish first). Bake chicken for about 15 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature should read 165 degrees).
• In a small bowl combine butter, garlic powder, minced garlic, and fresh herbs (see notes for using dried herbs) and mash/mix with a fork until combined.
• When chicken is finished cooking, immediately top with a hearty spoonful of the garlic butter mixture. Allow it to melt over the chicken for a minute or two before slicing chicken. Enjoy!

CHICKEN BREASTS WITH LEEKS AND PARMESAN CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 F. Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and tilt the pan to coat completely with oil.
• Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and season on both sides with salt and pepper. Place them in the sauté pan. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, until the chicken releases easily from the pan and the underside is browned. Turn the chicken over and cook for an additional 5 to 6 minutes to brown the other side. Transfer the chicken to an ovenproof platter or pan and put it in the oven to finish cooking.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the butter to the pan. When the butter melts, add the leeks and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the leeks are softened, about 6 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat to add the vermouth, then return it to medium-low heat and cook until the vermouth is reduced by about half. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Remove the chicken breasts from the oven and check their internal temperature with a meat thermometer, which should be 165 F. and let stand a few minutes before slicing chicken on the bias. Transfer chicken breasts to a dinner plate and top each with a generous spoonful of the cooked leeks.

BAKED HERBED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Combine all spices. (all ingredients except first two-chicken and butter.).
• Arrange chicken in shallow baking dish.
• Melt butter and pour over chicken.
• Turn chicken pieces over so both sides are coated with butter. (I use a tongs for this.).
• Sprinkle chicken with about 1/4 of the spices.
• Every 10-15 minutes, sprinkle another 1/4 of the spices on the chicken pieces.
• Bake at 375 for 55 minutes.