Best Spring Chicken With Leeks And Peas Recipes

SKILLET CHICKEN WITH SPRING VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Add the coriander to a spice grinder and pulse a few times until the seeds are just cracked. Set aside.
• Sprinkle the chicken thighs all over with salt and pepper. Add the oil to a large cast-iron skillet and heat over medium-high. Once the oil begins to shimmer, sear the chicken, skin side down, until golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes. Turn the thighs over and cook until brown, about 5 minutes more. Remove from the pan to a plate, skin side up, and set aside.
• After the chicken is removed from the pan, add the cracked coriander and toast, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until soft, about 2 minutes. Nestle the bok choy into the leeks and add 2 tablespoons of water. Bring to a simmer and cook until the liquid has reduced, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Nestle the chicken, skin side up, into the vegetables and cook for a few minutes until the thighs are 165 degrees F in the thickest part. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with the chives. Serve right from the pan!

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.

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.

PAN SEARED CHICKEN WITH TENDER LEEK, LEMON RICE PILAF, AND WHATEVER YOUR GARDEN GROWS SALAD

Steps:

• Trim leeks of tough green ends and roots. Split leeks lengthwise, then cut across into 1/2-inch slices. Place sandy slices of leeks into a large bowl filled with cold water. Separating the layers of each slice to free the grains of sand. Allow the sand to settle to the bottom of the bowl. With your hands, gently lift the leeks out of the water leaving the sand and dirt behind. Place the leeks within arm's reach of the stovetop.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Add olive oil to skillet to coat the pan, then add chicken breasts. Brown chicken breasts 3 to 4 minutes on each side, then transfer to a plate.
• Add a little more oil to the pan, then pour in leeks. Saute leeks 5 minutes, until soft and translucent. Add 1 cup wine to the pan and nestle chicken breasts down into leeks. Reduce heat to simmer and cook chicken 5 to 7 minutes longer.
• To serve, remove chicken from pan and slice on an angle. Fan and arrange sliced chicken breasts over a bed of Sauteed leeks on each dinner plate or a warm serving platter. Serve with rice and salad.
• Pilaf: heat a medium saucepan or pot over moderate heat. Add oil and butter and shallots to the pan. Saute shallots 2 minutes, then add 1 1/2 cups rice. Lightly brown rice 3 to 5 minutes. Add wine and allow it to evaporate entirely, 1 to 2 minutes. Add thyme and chicken broth to the rice. Fill broth can half-again with water or, measure 1 cup water and add to pot. Bring liquid to a boil. Cover rice and reduce heat. Cook rice 20 minutes, until tender.
• Stir the zest of 1 lemon and parsley into rice. Transfer lemon rice to dinner plates or warm serving dish and garnish with toasted slivered almonds.
• Heat 3-inches of water in a deep skillet and heat to a boil. Add trimmed wax and green beans and julienne sliced yellow squash to the pot. Simmering vegetables in water for 2 minutes, add red peppers and simmer 1 minute longer. You want the vegetables to remain full of color and bite. Drain vegetables and cold-shock under running water in your colander.
• Place drained vegetables in a serving dish and combine with sliced scallions and shredded dark garden greens, such as spinach or arugula.
• Whisk together mustard, vinegar, and lemon juice. Add olive oil in a slow stream while whisking to get a nice emulsion of your dressing. Add herbs and pour dressing over the salad. Toss salad to combine flavors and coat your vegetables evenly.