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Creamy Garlic Chicken and Leeks

creamy garlic chicken and leeks - featured image
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A quick and easy 30-minute dinner featuring tender chicken breasts in a silky garlic cream sauce with sweet, softened leeks. Perfect for cozy weeknights and comforting meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 medium leeks, cleaned and sliced
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • ½ cup chicken broth (120 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (optional)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (25 g, optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients (5 minutes): Clean the leeks thoroughly—slice lengthwise, rinse under cold water to remove dirt, then slice thinly (about ¼-inch). Mince the garlic cloves finely. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Brown the Chicken (8 minutes): Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add chicken breasts. Cook undisturbed for about 4 minutes until golden brown on one side. Flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until browned and mostly cooked through (internal temp ~150°F). Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Sauté the Leeks and Garlic (5 minutes): Lower heat to medium, add butter to skillet. Once melted, add sliced leeks and stir frequently until softened and translucent (3-4 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, avoiding burning.
  4. Create the Creamy Sauce (5 minutes): Pour chicken broth into the pan, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly. Add heavy cream and stir to combine. Let bubble gently until slightly thickened (2-3 minutes). Season with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme.
  5. Finish Cooking the Chicken (7 minutes): Return chicken breasts to skillet, nestle into sauce, spoon sauce over top. Reduce heat to low, cover pan, and simmer gently for 5-7 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F and sauce thickens.
  6. Optional Parmesan Finish (1 minute): Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over chicken and sauce. Let melt in residual heat before serving.

Notes

Do not rush browning the chicken to develop a golden crust and lock in juices. Avoid burning garlic by adding it last and cooking on medium heat. Rinse leeks thoroughly to remove grit. If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of broth or cream. For even cooking, pound chicken breasts to uniform thickness. Leftovers keep up to 3 days refrigerated; reheat gently to maintain sauce texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy garlic chicken, chicken and leeks, easy dinner, quick chicken recipe, weeknight meal, comfort food, creamy sauce, garlic chicken

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/creamy-garlic-chicken-and-leeks-recipe-easy-30-minute-dinner-delight/