Chicken With Creamy Mushrooms Fennel And Leeks Food

CHICKEN WITH CREAMY MUSHROOMS, FENNEL AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Slice the leeks in half, then thinly slice them into 1/4-inch-thick half-moons. Place the leeks in a colander set over a bowl and fill the bowl with enough water to cover the leeks. Gently stir them around to help remove any excess dirt and sand. Remove the colander with the leeks from the bowl, leaving behind any dirt. Let leeks drain completely.
• Place the chicken breasts on a sheet of parchment paper. Season the chicken breasts with salt, a pinch red pepper flakes, and half the thyme leaves. Place another piece of parchment on top of the chicken. Use a meat mallet or a rolling pin to pound the chicken breasts slightly until they are an even thickness, about 3/4 to 1 inch thick. Hold both pieces of parchment paper and flip the chicken over; now the parchment that was originally on the bottom should be on top. Remove the parchment, exposing the unseasoned side of chicken. Season with salt, another pinch red pepper flakes, and the remaining thyme leaves. Place the parchment back on top and pound slightly to adhere the seasoning.
• Heat a large straight-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add in 2 tablespoons olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Add in the chicken breasts and cook, undisturbed, about 4 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown and reaches 165 degrees F, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
• Turn the heat down to medium and add in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the fennel, mushrooms, and leeks to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Season the vegetables with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Deglaze with the white wine and cook until the wine is mostly evaporated, about 1 minute. Turn the heat down to low and add in the cream. Cook, stirring frequently, until the cream has thickened slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Season the sauce to taste.
• To serve, spoon the creamy vegetables over the chicken. Garnish with thyme leaves.

BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CARAMELIZED FENNEL & LEEKS

Steps:

• Trim fennel bulbs, and set aside fronds. In a blender or food processor, pulse about 1/2 cup fronds, garlic, lemon zest and 1/4 teaspoon salt until finely chopped. Add 1/3 cup oil and purée.
• Halve fennel bulbs lengthwise. Slice thinly with a mandoline or very sharp knife.
• clean and thinly slice leaks.
• Season chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over high heat. Brown chicken until skin is crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate, leaving drippings in pan.
• Stir fennel seeds into skillet and cook for 30 seconds. Add the sliced fennel, leeks and onion, seasoning with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Reduce heat to medium and cook, tossing occasionally, until vegetables are caramelized, 15 to 20 minutes. Add Pernod and scrape up any browned bits in the bottom of the skillet; cook until liquid has evaporated, about 1 minute.
• Lay chicken on top of the fennel-onion mixture. Pour 3 tablespoons water into the pan. Cover skillet and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until chicken is just cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Uncover and cook off any excess liquid if necessary. Stir in lemon juice.
• Serve chicken and vegetables topped with generous dollops of the fennel frond purée.

CHICKEN THIGHS WITH MUSHROOM-LEEK SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook until well browned and no longer pink in the center, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate, cover, and keep warm.
• Add mushrooms and leeks to the skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until most of the moisture has evaporated and mushrooms begin to brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Add wine; cook for about 1 minute. Mix broth and cornstarch together in a small bowl; add to the skillet and cook until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in sour cream and mustard; cook and stir until combined, about 1 minute. Season sauce with salt and pepper.
• Nestle chicken thighs into the sauce. Cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), 8 to 10 minutes more.

FENNEL MUSHROOM SKILLET

Steps:

• Wash and trim fennel bulb. Slice into thin wedges. If desired, save some feathery tops for garnish.
• In a large skillet over med-high heat, melt butter. Add fennel, onions, white wine and soy sauce. Saute on med-high heat for about 2 minutes.
• Add mushrooms, garlic, salt and pepper. Continue to cook, stirring often, for an additional 7-9 minutes or until veggies are crisp-tender, or tenderness of your liking.

CREAMY CHICKEN & LEEKS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the bacon for 2 mins. Add the chicken, then cook with the bacon for a further 2-3 mins, until the pieces begin to turn golden. Tip in the leeks and cook gently for 10 mins until wilted and tender.
• Stir through the flour and gradually add the stock, stirring constantly. Add the wholegrain mustard and crème fraîche, stir again, then simmer gently for 5 mins until the sauce is slightly thickened and creamy. Serve on top of baked jacket potatoes.