Chicken Breasts With Leeks And Parmesan Cheese Recipes

PAN-ROASTED CHICKEN WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Put the bacon in a large heavy-bottomed ovenproof skillet and cook over medium-high heat until some of the fat renders, about 5 minutes. Push the bacon to the side of the pan. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then add it to the pan and cook, turning, until it starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and leeks, then arrange the chicken on top of the bacon-leek mixture. Transfer to the oven and roast until the chicken is golden and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 160 degrees F, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a platter.
• Carefully return the skillet to the stovetop over medium-high heat. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the broth and half-and-half and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Bring to a boil and cook until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice. Spoon the leek mixture over the chicken. Serve with the remaining lemon wedges.
• Per serving: Calories 418; Fat 24 g (Saturated 8 g); Cholesterol 147 mg; Sodium 322 mg; Carbohydrate 14 g; Fiber 1 g; Protein 34 g

CHICKEN BREASTS WITH LEEKS AND PARMESAN CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 F. Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and tilt the pan to coat completely with oil.
• Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and season on both sides with salt and pepper. Place them in the sauté pan. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, until the chicken releases easily from the pan and the underside is browned. Turn the chicken over and cook for an additional 5 to 6 minutes to brown the other side. Transfer the chicken to an ovenproof platter or pan and put it in the oven to finish cooking.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the butter to the pan. When the butter melts, add the leeks and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the leeks are softened, about 6 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat to add the vermouth, then return it to medium-low heat and cook until the vermouth is reduced by about half. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Remove the chicken breasts from the oven and check their internal temperature with a meat thermometer, which should be 165 F. and let stand a few minutes before slicing chicken on the bias. Transfer chicken breasts to a dinner plate and top each with a generous spoonful of the cooked leeks.

PARMESAN-DIJON CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Mix butter and mustard in shallow dish until well mixed. Mix bread crumbs and cheese in large plastic bag.
• Dip one piece of chicken at a time into butter mixture, coating all sides. Then place in bag of bread crumbs, seal bag and shake to coat with crumb mixture. Place chicken in single layer in ungreased rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches.
• Bake uncovered 20 to 30 minutes, turning once, until juice of chicken is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut.

BRAISED CHICKEN BREASTS ON CREAMY LEEKS

Steps:

• Halve leeks lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces.
• Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil and 1/2 tablespoon butter in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then brown chicken on both sides, about 4 minutes total. Transfer to a plate.
• Add wine to skillet and deglaze by boiling over high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, until reduced to about 2 tablespoons, 1 to 2 minutes. Add leeks and remaining 2 tablespoons butter and salt and pepper to taste, then simmer over moderately low heat, covered, stirring occasionally, until leeks are wilted, about 10 minutes. Stir in broth. Top leeks with chicken breasts and juices from plate, then gently simmer over low heat, covered, until leeks are tender and chicken is just cooked through, about 8 minutes .
• Transfer chicken breasts to a plate. Add cream to skillet and boil over high heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve chicken on top of leeks.

LINGUINE WITH CHICKEN, LEEKS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add to skillet and sauté until just cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Cool slightly. Thinly slice chicken crosswise and set aside.
• Melt butter in same skillet over medium-low heat. Add leeks and garlic and sauté until leeks are very tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, vermouth and chicken. Cook until mixture is just heated through, about 2 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper. Combine chicken mixture, linguine and 1/2 cup Parmesan in large bowl; toss well. Sprinkle with basil if desired. Serve, passing remaining Parmesan.