Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Thighs with Leek, Whole Grain Mustard, and Pears

Name: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Thighs with Leek, Whole Grain Mustard, and Pears
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 260 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Fusión contemporánea
Ingredients: 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs; 2 cups leek; 1 cup firm pear; 4 cloves garlic; 3/4 cup chicken broth; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 2 tbsp whole grain mustard; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp fresh thyme; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 1 tbsp water; 2 tbsp fresh parsley

An original slow cooker recipe featuring chicken thighs gently cooked in a silky sauce of leek, garlic, thyme, whole grain mustard, and a touch of fresh pear. The result is a balanced, aromatic, and comforting main dish that feels distinctive and elegant.

20 minPrep

240 minCook

260 minTotal

4Servings

Low CarbHigh ProteinDiabetic-Friendly

Important notice: This recipe is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional.

Ingredients

Adjust servings

700 g boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut en trozos large)
180 g leek (en medias lunas finas, solo parte blanca and verde claro)
160 g firm pear (pelada and diced small)
12 g garlic (chopped)
180 ml chicken broth (low sodium if possible)
120 ml heavy cream (at room temperature)
30 g whole grain mustard
15 ml olive oil
4 g fresh thyme (solo the leaves)
6 g salt (or to taste)
2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
8 g cornstarch
15 ml water (for mezclar with the maicena)
8 g fresh parsley (chopped, for terminar)

Nutrition facts

per serving

395 kcal

Calories

31 g

Protein

10 g

Carbs

25 g

Fat

1.8 g

Fiber

8.2 g

Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

DairyMustard

Instructions

1
1. Season the chicken thighs all over with the salt and black pepper.
2
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Brown the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes per side, just until lightly colored; it does not need to cook through. If preferred, you may skip this step and place the chicken directly in the slow cooker, but the flavor will be less developed.
3
3. Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker. Add the leek, pear, garlic, chicken broth, whole grain mustard, and fresh thyme. Stir gently to distribute the ingredients around the chicken.
4
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours, maintaining a gentle slow-cooking environment of about 190 to 200 °F / 88 to 93 °C inside the cooker, until the chicken is tender.
5
5. Open the slow cooker and add the heavy cream. Mix the cornstarch with the water in a small bowl until smooth and pour it into the cooker. Stir carefully to combine the cream and cornstarch slurry without breaking up the chicken too much.
6
6. Cover again and cook for 20 more minutes on HIGH, aiming for an active cooking temperature close to 205 to 212 °F / 96 to 100 °C, until the sauce thickens slightly.
7
7. Taste and adjust with more salt or pepper if needed. Sprinkle the fresh parsley over the top just before serving.
8
8. Serve hot, spooning plenty of sauce, soft leek, and tender pear pieces into each portion.

Chef tips

For a looser, shinier sauce, add an extra tablespoon of broth at the end if it thickens too much. Wash the leek very well between the layers to remove any grit. For a more elegant presentation, dice the pear small so it partially melts into the sauce.

Substitutions

You can swap the pear for a firm apple. The heavy cream can be replaced with plant-based cooking cream, though the flavor will change. If you do not have fresh thyme, use 1 teaspoon dried thyme. Whole grain mustard can be replaced with Dijon mustard, but the texture will be less rustic.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Illustrative image
TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
View on Amazon
Illustrative image
T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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Illustrative image
Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Chopping, slicing and cutting strips
- The knife I use most when cooking
- Chops, slices and cuts into strips
- Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
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