Vinegar Braised Chicken with Leeks & Peas

  Posted on March 26, 2012  by Leslie Blythe  3 comments

This recipe is elegant and easy.  I made it for my husband’s “big” birthday last night.  I found the recipe in Food & Wine magazine.  It doesn’t take long to make and you could serve it for a week night dinner or an elegant dinner party.

Vinegar Braised Chicken with Leeks & Peas

Serves 8

8 whole chicken legs
Salt
Freshly ground pepper
3 Tbs unsalted butter
3 Tbs 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
10 oz package frozen baby peas, thawed
2 Tbs chopped tarragon
2 Tbs chopped parsley
1/2 cup crème fraîche

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.