Creamy Chicken and Leeks Recipe

Our new favorite chicken recipe is here! A simple creamy chicken and leeks recipe made with a flavorsome broth is perfect as it is for an easy Sunday dinner idea or as a tasty base for chicken leek pie or leek and chicken pasta recipes!

This is the most delicious chicken breast recipe you will make. You will want to make this easy chicken and leeks recipe again and again! chicken recipes are perfect for busy families.

This incredibly easy chicken leeks recipe is already winging its way to the top of my list of favorites, and with good reason. It’s creamy, but not unhealthy, filling but not heavy, and fragrant but not overpowering. It’s great when you are looking for perfect chicken dinner ideas.

The basis of this classic recipe is a creamy chicken and leek broth infused with sweet tarragon and spicy mustard seeds. I could eat it all day just as it is, but the joy of this recipe is that it can also be used as the starting point for many other chicken leek recipes. Recipes with chicken breasts are so versatile but there is something special about this delicious sauce.

What are leeks?

Leeks are closely related to onions, garlic, and scallions. The edible parts of leeks are the tightly bound leaves that form stalk-like bases. They are an under-used onion but once you try it, you will want to use it again and again.

Leeks have a beautiful mild onion flavor that is a bit sweet. They add a delicious layer of flavor to many dishes. They are very popular in French cuisine. Many French chicken recipes feature leeks.

How to cut leeks

1. Place the leek on a cutting board.
2. Using a large knife, cut a thin slice from the root end.
3. Cut the dark green, tough leaves off the end.
4. You now have the section of the leek that is tender and oh so good for cooking.
5. Hold the leek with one hand and cut it into slices. We recommend thin slices.
6. Be sure to rinse the leeks after chopping.

How to Clean Leeks

Leeks add such great flavor to dishes but their downside is that they are very dirty. Therefore, you want to give them a good scrub when you get them home.

• Rinse the leeks under water to remove dirt and sand.
• Chop the leeks per the above directions.
• Place the chopped leeks in a bowl and fill it with cold water.
• Use your hands to agitate the leeks and dislodge any leftover dirt and sand,

What Do I Need to Make Chicken and Leeks Recipe

• Oil
• Chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• Lemon juice
• Leeks*
• Garlic
• Plain flour
• Chicken stock
• Milk
• Wholegrain mustard
• Creme fraiche*
• Fresh tarragon

Chicken and Leeks Recipes Tip:

• Leeks are a delicious vegetable full of wonderful flavor, but they are grown in the ground in sandy soil. They need a good cleaning before you use them for cooking. If you’re not sure how to clean leeks, it’s easy—give them a good rinse under cold water to remove dirt or sand. You can follow the directions above but please make sure you clean your leeks before cooking
• Creme Fraiche: You may substitute sour cream or plain yogurt for creme fraiche if you are unable to find it.
• You could also use ramps to put a spin on your chicken and leeks recipes by making this a ramps recipe.
• What are ramps:
• ramps are essentially wild leeks with a strong, delicious flavor similar to onions that’s stronger than leeks.

What are ramps:

Ramps are essentially wild leeks with a strong onion flavor. They are deliciously flavored similar to onions and stronger than leeks.

What herbs go with chicken?

Chicken goes well with so many herbs; in particular, rosemary, garlic, thyme, oregano, and coriander. It also works really well with tarragon, which is what is used in this chicken and leeks recipe.

The sweet aniseed flavor of tarragon also works really well with the creamy, mustard flavored chicken and leek broth.

How to Cook Leeks with Chicken

1. First prepare the chicken: Place cling film under and over the chicken breasts and then bash with a rolling pin to flatten the meat to around half a cm in thickness.
2. Drizzle oil over the chicken and then season with salt, pepper and lemon juice
3. Place a large frying pan on the heat and then add the chicken breasts. Cook on each side for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Then remove from the pan and set to one side.
4. Next prepare the chicken and leek broth: Using the same pan, add a little more oil and then gently fry the chopped leeks.
5. While the leeks are cooking, add some finely chopped garlic and stir in well.
6. Once the leeks have softened, stir in 2 Tbsp. flour and then gradually add the stock and milk.
7. When the broth starts to simmer, return the chicken to the pan and cook with the lid on for 20 minutes.
8. After 20 minutes remove the lid and stir 1 tsp. of wholegrain mustard and 3 Tbsp. of creme fraiche into the chicken and leek broth.
9. Finish by stirring in some fresh tarragon leaves before serving with your choice of veg or potatoes.

Other Easy Leek Recipes

Chicken and Leeks Recipes can be used as the starting point to create a variety of new creations. This includes chicken and leek pie, chicken and leek soup, chicken and leek stew and chicken and leek pasta.

For the chicken leek pie and chicken leek soup, the cooked chicken will need to be removed and shredded, and the remaining ingredients should be reduced down for the pie or blended (smooth or chunky) for the soup.

The chicken can also be shredded for chicken leek pasta, but also works with the whole breast served on top of the pasta.

Side Dishes for Chicken Breast

• green vegetable salad
• green bean almondine
• Instant Pot Risotto
• honey glazed carrots and parsnips.
• baked crispy potato wedges
• marquis potatoes
• foil pack potatoes

Chicken breast recipes for dinner are so versatile and a perfect solution when you are looking for easy dinner ideas for the family. Try this simple chicken with leeks recipe at home for your next cozy night in – you won’t be disappointed.

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What would you use this chicken leek recipe to make? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Chicken and leeks recipe

A simple chicken and leek recipe made with a flavorsome broth is perfect as it is for an easy dinner idea or as a tasty base for chicken leek pie or chicken and leek pasta!

5 from 7 votes

Print Pin Comment

Course: Dinner, Main

Cuisine: American, British

Keyword: chicken and leek broth, chicken and leek recipe, Chicken and Leeks

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

0 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 422kcal

Author: Debbie Jones

Equipment

• chopping board
• cling film
• rolling pin
• large pan

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp. Oil
• 4 Chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• Juice from half a lemon
• 2 Leeks quartered length ways and then roughly chopped
• 1 clove Garlic finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp. Plain flour
• 2 cups Chicken stock
• ½ cup 2% Milk
• 1 tsp Wholegrain mustard
• 3 tbsp Creme fraiche substitute plain yogurt or sour cream if you can't find creme fraiche
• 1 Handful fresh tarragon leaves

Instructions

First prepare the chicken:

• Place cling film under and over the chicken breasts and the bash with a rolling pin to flatten the meat to around half a cm in thickness.
• Drizzle oil over one side of the chicken and then season with salt, pepper and lemon juice. Flip the chicken over and repeat.
• Place a large frying pan on the heat and then add the chicken breasts. Cook on each side for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Then remove from the pan and set to one side.

Next prepare the chicken and leek broth:

• Using the same pan, add a little more oil and then gently fry the chopped leeks.
• Whilst the leeks are cooking add some finely chopped garlic and stir in well.
• Once the leeks have softened, stir in 2 tbsp flour and then gradually add the stock and milk.
• When the broth starts to simmer return the chicken to the pan and cook with the lid on for 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes remove the lid and stir 1 tsp of wholegrain mustard and 3 tbsp of creme fraiche into the chicken and leek broth.
• Finish by stirring in some fresh tarragon leaves before serving with your choice of veg or potatoes.

Video

Notes

• TIP—RECIPE BASE: You can use this chicken leek recipe as a base for other recipes, such as chicken and leek pie, chicken leek soup, or chicken and leek pasta. 
• TIP—HOW TO CLEAN LEEKS: Leeks are a delicious vegetable full of wonderful flavor, but they are grown in the ground in sandy soil. They need a good cleaning before you use them for cooking. If you’re not sure how to clean leeks, it’s easy—give them a good rinse under cold water to remove dirt or sand.
• TIP—USE RAMPS: You could also use ramps to put a spin on chicken and leeks by making this a ramps recipe. What are ramps: ramps are essentially wild leeks with a strong, delicious flavor similar to onions that’s stronger than leeks.

Nutrition

Serving: 391g | Calories: 422kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 155mg | Sodium: 478mg | Potassium: 1096mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 895IU | Vitamin C: 8.5mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 2.4mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @familyfoodie or tag #SundaySupper!

This post was updated on November 18, 2019.