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Braised Chicken with Leeks & Peas

Total Time45 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 8 whole chicken legs. I used drumsticks
  • Salt Freshly ground pepper
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 large leeks halved lengthwise and cut into 1- inch pieces
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
  • One 10-ounce package frozen baby peas thawed
  • 2 tablespoons chopped tarragon
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 1/2 cup crème fraîche

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425° and position a rack in the upper third. Turn the chicken legs skin side down on a work surface and cut halfway through the joint. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper.
  • In each of 2 large nonstick skillets, heat half of the butter and oil. Add the chicken, skin side up, and cook over high heat until browned, 5 minutes. Turn and cook the chicken for 1 minute. Pile all of the chicken into one skillet.
  • In the other skillet, cook the leeks over high heat until just beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the broth and vinegar and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the mixture into a medium roasting pan.
  • Set the chicken on the leeks, skin side up; roast for about 25 minutes, until it is cooked through. Turn on the broiler and broil for about 2 minutes, until the skin is golden and crisp. Transfer the chicken to a platter.
  • Place the roasting pan over a burner and boil over high heat until the liquid is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the peas, herbs and crème fraîche and simmer until the sauce is hot and slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve.

Notes

This recipe is easily adjustable depending on the number of dinner guests you want to serve.
Adapted from Food & Drink