Spring Chicken With Leeks And Peas Recipes

SPRING CHICKEN WITH LEEKS AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan; stir in rice, lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon olive oil; return to a boil, then decrease heat to a simmer and cover pan; cook 17-18 minutes, until tender.
• Heat a big nonstick skillet over med-high heat; add in 2 tablespoons olive oil and the butter.
• When the butter melts into the oil; add the chicken to the pan; saute until lightly golden on both sides, 4 minutes.
• Cut leeks in half lengthwise, then slice into ½-inch half-moons.
• Place leeks in a colander and wash under cold running water, separating the layers and releasing all the grit; drain leeks well and add them to the chicken.
• Cook the leeks with the chicken until they wilt down, 3 minutes or so.
• Add white wine to the pan and scrape up any pan drippings.
• Add in the peas and heat through, another minute or two; turn off the heat and season with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle the lemon juice over the chicken and leeks.
• Fluff the rice with a fork; add parsley to rice and toss to combine.
• Pile the chicken and leeks on dinner plates and top with a small mound of lemon rice (recommend using an ice cream scoop to serve the rice).

BRAISED CHICKEN WITH ASPARAGUS, PEAS, AND MELTED LEEKS

Steps:

• If you see or feel dirt in the leeks, rinse well, separating layers, then pat dry; otherwise, leave rounds intact.
• Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-high until hot but not smoking. Add leeks in a single layer; season with 1/4 tsp. salt and a pinch of pepper. Reduce heat to low and cook, turning once, until leeks are lightly golden, 16-18 minutes. Transfer leeks to a plate; reserve skillet.
• Lightly crush fennel seeds with the bottom of a heavy skillet or pot. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season with fennel, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Heat remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in a 5-7-qt. Dutch oven or large wide saucepan over medium-high. Cook thighs, skin side down, until well-browned, 12-14 minutes. Transfer skin side up to a plate. Pour off and discard fat.
• Add wine to pot, bring to a simmer, and cook, scraping up bits from bottom of pot, 1 minute. Add broth and return chicken skin side up to pot. Lower heat to medium-low, cover pot, and cook until chicken is cooked through, 15-18 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine asparagus, peas, and 2 Tbsp. water in reserved skillet, cover, and cook over medium heat until asparagus is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add 1/2 tsp. lemon zest, remaining 1/4 tsp. salt, and a pinch of pepper; stir gently to just combine.
• Divide chicken, asparagus mixture, and reserved leeks among large shallow bowls. Bring broth to a simmer, add lemon juice, then ladle into bowls. Top with dill and remaining 1 Tbsp. lemon zest.

CHICKEN IN A POT WITH LEEKS, SPRING ONIONS, AND TURNIPS

Steps:

• Over medium- high heat, heat the butter or oil in a large Dutch oven or casserole that can be covered later on.
• When the butter is melted or the oil is hot, place the chicken in the pot breast side down.
• Brown the chicken without burning- about 5 to 10 minutes. Turn on each of it's sides and brown some more, ending with the breast side up.
• On medium heat, add the herb, vegetables, salt and pepper, and stock or water.
• Simmer, covered over low heat, making sure the vegetables don't dry out. Water may be added if needed.
• Cook 30 to 45 minutes ( or until a thermometer measures at least 155 to 165 degrees F. Place on platter.
• If using, add the cream and boil liquid until saucy (this may happen immediately or as long as 10 minutes or so).
• Carve the chicken, place vegetables around it. Place sauce, if using, in a separate dish.

CREAMY ONE-POT MUSHROOM AND LEEK PASTA

Steps:

• Heat a wide, deep 12-inch skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high. When hot, add the olive oil and leeks, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, until softened and lightly golden, 5 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and mushrooms. Cook, undisturbed, for 2 minutes, then stir and cook, undisturbed, until the mushrooms start to caramelize and stick to the bottom of the pan, another 2 to 3 minutes. (This allows the water from the mushrooms to evaporate, encouraging caramelization.) Add the juice of one lemon half to deglaze the pan and stir to combine.
• Add the pasta and stock; stir well. Cover with lid and cook on medium heat. Begin tasting pasta 10 minutes after you add it. (All pasta shapes and brands will have different cooking times. You want the pasta to be just tender.)
• Once the pasta is cooked, turn off the heat and add the butter and parsley. Squeeze in the juice from the remaining lemon half and stir until butter is melted and dispersed. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, top with ricotta, red-pepper flakes (to taste) and more chopped parsley.