Chicken, Potato, and Leek Soup

Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 135 min
Servings: 8
Yield: 8 servings

Description

Sure to become a favorite, this potato, leek, and chicken soup is rich with a heavy cream base--serve it for a filling lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

1 (2 pound) fryer chicken
3 cups water
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans chicken broth
1 tablespoon salted butter
3 large leeks, sliced
1 quart heavy cream
2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1 Place chicken, water, and chicken broth in a large, heavy stockpot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until liquid has reduced by about half, chicken is no longer pink at the bone, and the juices run clear, about 1 1/2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
2 Remove chicken and allow to cool. Strain stock and set aside.
3 Add butter to the stockpot and melt over medium heat. Add leeks and saute until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Pour in cream, potatoes, and reserved stock; cook at a simmer for 15 minutes.
4 Meanwhile debone the chicken and dice the meat.
5 Add diced chicken to the soup and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes more.