One Skillet Chicken with Leeks and Farro

Name: One Pan Chicken with Leeks and Farro
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, separated; 1/2 red or yellow onion, diced; 2-3 fresh garlic cloves, thinly sliced; 1 lb. chicken thighs (chicken breast will work); 1 lemon + plus additional for serving; 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped; 1 1/2 cups leeks, thinly sliced into half moons; 2 cups farro; 1 1/2 cups chicken broth or water; 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper, adjusted to taste

Key Ingredients & Notes

Ingredients needed for one pan chicken with leeks.

Chicken thighs - Chicken breast is fine, too! I like how chicken thighs are already pretty flat layers of meat, plus the extra fat content keeps them juicy and flavorful.

Quick-cooking farro - Farro creates a comforting, creamy texture for this meal! There are several types of farro, each taking different times to cook. While you could use any kind of farro in salads (like this roasted beet and avocado salad), cook time matters more for a recipe where everything is cooking together at once. Since pearled farro cooks the fastest, I recommend using that here. However, I do cover an alternative method below if you only have semi-pearled or whole farro.

Leeks - Leeks can be a beast to clean if they are from your CSA or farmers market, but from the grocery store they aren't too bad. Definitely make sure to check the layers for any dirt, though! For this recipe, we'll be slicing one leek in half to create a half moon shape, then thinly slice it from there.

Not pictured above but noted in the recipe card, you'll also need some broth or water, olive oil, and optional garlic.

Please see recipe card for full list of ingredients & quantities.

One pan recipes are incredible for streamlining weeknight meals! After you try this recipe, you'll definitely need to check out our other favorite one pan meal: vegetarian skillet enchiladas with sweet potato.

How to Make This Recipe

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Heat olive oil in a cast iron or oven safe skillet, and sauté onions and garlic until soft.

Browned chicken thighs, leeks, onions, garlic, dill, and uncooked farro in skillet with water.

Step 2: Push onions aside and add chicken to the skillet. Brown on all sides to lock in juices. Then add farro, sliced leeks, dill, salt, pepper, and broth or water. Gently stir to distribute and submerge ingredients.

One pan chicken with leeks in a cast iron skillet with wooden spoon.

Step 3: Bring everything to a simmer on the stove, top the chicken with a few lemon slices, and carefully transfer the skillet to the oven for 30 minutes or until the farro is completely cooked and liquid dissolved. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then serve!

Once ready, serve with additional lemon slices, fresh dill, and dollops of hummus or Greek yogurt. May I suggest this easy lemon dill hummus??

Without pearled (quick-cooking) farro: If you don't have access to quick-cooking farro, you can still make this recipe work. Whole farro can take up to 40 minutes to cook, which may cause the chicken to get overdone. Instead, you can cook the farro in advance and add the fully cooked farro to your skillet and reduce the chicken broth amount to ⅓ cup. It won't be perfectly "one pan" anymore, but it will still be delicious!

Tera's Sustainability Tips

Storing leeks (without plastic!). When you store veggies for longevity, it helps reduce waste! Leave fresh leeks in an open container in your crisper, wrapped in a damp cloth. Alternatively, you can stand up in a shallow jar of water on the counter.
Refresh leftovers. If you're someone who gets sick of leftovers easily and ends up throwing them away, you can easily transform this recipe into a delicious soup! Just shred or dice up the chicken, and add leftovers to a pot with some broth. Simmer until warmed through, adding more dill, salt, and pepper as needed. You could also turn leftovers into a grain salad tossed in a simple lemon vinaigrette!

Chicken with leeks and farro in a bowl with spoon.

Chicken and Leeks FAQ

How do I clean leeks?

Leeks can get quite dirty! Being so layered, dirt gets trapped up in each layer, so you you'll want to make sure they are extra clean. Cut a clit into the leeks the long way, then fan out the layers while you rinse the leeks under the faucet. Trim off the green tops and compost, and trim off the root. Rinse any remaining dirt you see in those areas.

How do I clean and maintain cast iron?

f you use a cast iron skillet, you already know it requires a little bit of maintenance! Totally worth it, though. I like to follow the steps listed in this article to clean and maintain my cast iron skillet.

📖 Recipe