Simplest Chicken-and-Leek Stew

  • 4
  • 15 mins
  • 45 mins

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 medium leeks, white and tender green parts only, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 lb. cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • All-purpose flour, for dusting
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
  • 1 Tbsp chopped thyme
  • 2 Tbsp sour cream
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard

Preparation

Step 1

In a skillet, heat 1 Tbsp of the oil. Add the leeks and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, about 7 min. Add the mushrooms & season with salt & pepper. Cover & cook, stirring, until the mushrooms are tender, about 4 min. Scrape the leeks & mushrooms onto a plate.

Season the chicken with salt & pepper & lightly dust with flour, shaking off any excess. Heat the remaining 1 Tbsp of oil in the skillet. Add the chicken & cook over moderate heat until golden brown, about 2 min per side. Add the chicken stock & thyme & simmer over moderate heat until the chicken is just cooked through, about 1 min. Uing a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to the plate with the vegetables.

Simmer the stock over moderately high heat until reduced by half, about 2 min. Return the chicken, leeks & mushrooms to the skillet & simmer over low heat until warmed through, about 1 min.

In a small bowl, blend the sour cream with the mustard & stir into the stew. Remove the skillet from the heat. Season the stew with salt & pepper & serve.

SERVE WITH steamed rice.