Chicken with pine nut crust and creamed leeks Recipe

Chicken with pine nut crust and creamed leeks Recipe

  • 55g/2oz pine nuts
  • ½ chicken breast
  • 25g/1oz butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ leek, white part only, finely sliced
  • 25g/1oz butter
  • 150ml/5fl oz double cream
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  1. For the chicken, put the pine nuts into a food processor and blend to a powder. Press the powder onto one side of the chicken breast.
  2. Heat the butter and olive oil over a medium heat, and fry the coated chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through and golden-brown. (The chicken is cooked through when the juices run clear when pierced in the thickest part with a skewer.)
  3. For the leeks, place the leeks and butter into a saucepan along with three tablespoons of boiling water, and cover with the lid. Cook on a medium heat for two minutes, or until softened.
  4. Remove the lid and heat for a further 2-3 minutes until the liquid thickens.
  5. Stir in the cream and simmer over a gentle heat for 3-4 minutes, then stir in the tarragon and seasoning.
  6. To serve, spoon the creamy leeks onto a plate and place the chicken on top of them.