Creamy Chicken Leek Bake Food

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.

CREAMY CHICKEN & LEEK BAKE

Steps:

• Cook rice as directed on package, omitting salt and substituting chicken broth for the water.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add chicken; cook 5 min. or until evenly browned, stirring frequently. Spoon chicken into large bowl. Add leeks to skillet; cook and stir 3 min. or until crisp-tender. Remove from heat. Add to chicken along with the corn, beans and Worcestershire sauce; mix lightly.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Add cream cheese spread to rice; stir until completely melted.
• Spoon into 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray; top with chicken mixture. Cover.
• Bake 15 min. or until heated through. Top with shredded cheese; bake, uncovered, 5 min. or until melted.

CHICKEN & LEEK PASTA BAKE WITH A CRUNCHY TOP

Steps:

• For the base, melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in the flour and cook for a few mins, stirring all the time. Now, using a whisk or spatula, carefully stir in the milk, a little at a time, making sure the sauce stays smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for a couple of mins until it thickens - it will be very thick. Turn the heat right down and keep cooking for 5 mins, stirring often.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan and fry all of the chicken in batches until it starts to colour lightly at the edges. Scoop out each batch of chicken and put it on a plate. Add the onion to the pan if you are using it, and cook over a low heat until soft. Add the chicken and any juices and the onion to the white sauce, fold it in and cook the mixture for a further 15 mins or until the chicken is cooked through. If you're making the base ahead of time, you can leave it to cool at this stage then freeze in an airtight container for up to a month. (Defrost fully before using in the next step.)
• Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Put the leeks in a pan with a little water, cover and cook until very soft. Drain, then return to the pan with the courgette, pesto and soft cheese, stir everything together, add the chicken base and stir well, then heat until just bubbling. Add a splash of water if it's very thick.
• Stir the pasta into the chicken mixture and tip into a large baking dish. Sprinkle over the breadcrumbs and grill the top until it browns.

ONE PAN CREAMY CHICKEN WITH BACON AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200°C/390°F.
• Pat the chicken dry with paper towels then season generously with salt.
• Place the chicken, skin-side down, in a large, deep pan or braised.
• Place the pan over medium-high heat and allow the chicken to brown, rendering its fat, for 8-10 minutes. Flip over and cook for another 5 minutes then remove from the pan.
• In the same pan, add the bacon and cook for a few minutes until it's starting to crisp.
• Add the leeks and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the leeks are starting to soften.
• Add the garlic, thyme and mustard and cook for a minute.
• Pour in the white wine and lemon juice and allow to reduce for a few minutes.
• Pour in the cream and chicken stock and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the chicken back to the sauce then place in a preheated oven and allow to bake for 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has reduced slightly.
• Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more salt, pepper and lemon.
• Serve the chicken and sauce over rice or mashed potatoes.

CREAMY CHICKEN STEW

Steps:

• Tip the leeks and oil into a flameproof casserole dish on a low heat, add the butter and cook everything very gently for 10 mins or until the leeks are soft.
• Put the chicken, skin-side down, in a large non-stick frying pan on a medium heat, cook until the skin browns, then turn and brown the other side. You shouldn't need any oil but if the skin starts to stick, add a little. Add the chicken to the leeks, leaving behind any fat in the pan.
• Add the stock to the dish and bring to a simmer, season well, cover and cook for 30 mins on low. Stir in the mustard, crème fraîche and peas and bring to a simmer. You should have quite a bit of sauce.
• When you're ready to serve, put the grill on. Mix the breadcrumbs and parsley, sprinkle them over the chicken and grill until browned.

CREAMY CHICKEN, BEAN & LEEK TRAYBAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat the oil over a high heat in a large non-stick frying pan. Season the chicken thighs and fry, skin-side down, for 5 mins until golden and crisp. Transfer, skin-side up, to a large baking tray. (If you're doubling up this recipe, fry in batches and divide between two baking trays.)
• Fry the leeks in the pan for 5 mins or until just softened. Add the garlic and fry for 1 min more. Stir in the beans, then spoon into the tray, or trays, around the chicken. Pour the stock over the beans and season to taste. Roast for 20 mins, then remove from the oven and stir the mustard and crème fraîche through the beans. Roast for 10-15 mins more, or until the chicken is cooked through. To freeze, leave to cool completely and transfer to large freezerproof bags.
• Scatter the lemon zest over the chicken and serve with crusty bread to mop up the juices.