Friendlier Chicken Fricassee

Ingredients

• 500–600 g chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tbsp suitable oil
• 1 leek, white part only, finely sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed, optional
• 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut in half
• 1 cup homemade chicken stock
  or water with a little salt
• ½ cup suitable cream
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 2 tbsp cold water
• 1–2 tbsp finely chopped chives
• Salt, to taste

Method

1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan or shallow casserole dish over medium heat.
2. Add the chicken and cook gently until lightly golden. Remove and set aside.
3. Add the leek and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic if using.
4. Add the diced potato and stock. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the potato is nearly tender.
5. Return the chicken to the pan and add the green beans. Simmer for another 5–8 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
6. Mix the cornflour with the cold water, then stir it into the pan.
7. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
8. Reduce the heat and stir through the cream.
9. Add the chives and season lightly with salt.
10. Serve warm.