Why You’ll Love This Chicken Quiche with Leek and Rice

This **leek rice quiche with smoked chicken** is a true game-changer for busy home cooks. The magic lies in its versatility: you can effortlessly prepare this savory tart a day in advance, storing it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. This means minimal fuss on the day itself – simply slide it into the oven and let the aromas fill your kitchen. Imagine the convenience of having a delicious, homemade meal ready to go with hardly any last-minute effort. After enjoying your magnificent quiche, all you’ll have left is a single form to wash. It’s truly that fine!

Beyond its convenience, this puff pastry chicken and leek pie is incredibly **budget-friendly**. It makes smart use of readily available ingredients, transforming them into a dish that feels gourmet without the hefty price tag. And if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers (though we doubt there will be much!), they make a fantastic, satisfying lunch the next day, whether served warm or cold. It’s a meal that keeps on giving!

If you’re a fan of quiches and looking for more inspiration, you’re in luck! We highly recommend the vegetarian Leek Goat Cheese Quiche for a delightful tangy twist, or explore the hearty Bolognese Quiche for a comforting, meat-filled option. For seasonal delights, our Autumn Quiche with Sweet Potato offers a taste of fall. And for an extensive collection of ideas, be sure to check out our dedicated Quiche Recipes Page for endless culinary inspiration.

Essential Ingredients for Your Savory Chicken, Leek & Rice Quiche

To craft this delectable **Chicken Quiche with Leek and Rice**, you’ll need a selection of fresh and flavorful ingredients. We’ve outlined them below, with precise measurements available in the comprehensive recipe card at the bottom of this page. Let’s dive into what makes this quiche so special:

• Rice: The foundation of our quiche’s heartiness. While regular white rice works wonderfully, basmati rice is an excellent choice for its slightly fluffier texture and aromatic qualities. For a healthier, nuttier option, you could even experiment with brown rice, just ensure it’s cooked al dente to avoid a mushy texture.
• Bacon: Bacon bits are key to adding a wonderful depth of salty, smoky flavor to this savory pie. Choose good quality bacon and render it until crispy to release all those delicious fats that will infuse the leeks with flavor. Pancetta or even a vegetarian bacon alternative could also be used to achieve a similar savory note.
• Smoked Chicken: This is a star ingredient, offering a unique depth of flavor. Smoked chicken breast, which is typically pre-cooked, salted, and smoked, provides a rich, savory element without extra cooking time. However, a crucial note: if you’re serving pregnant women, babies, or individuals with compromised health, it’s safer to substitute smoked chicken. In such cases, use regular chicken breast poached until thoroughly cooked in a flavorful stock, then shredded or diced. Leftover roasted or grilled chicken can also be an excellent, convenient substitute.
• White Wine: A dry white wine, such as a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light-bodied Pinot Grigio, adds a subtle acidity and complexity that elevates the overall flavor profile of the quiche. Don’t worry about the alcohol content; it completely evaporates during the baking process, leaving behind only its delicious essence. If you prefer to omit alcohol, a good quality chicken or vegetable stock (about ½ cup or 100 ml) can be used as a direct replacement.
• Leek: This elegant vegetable is renowned for its sweet and mild onion-like flavor, which becomes wonderfully creamy when cooked. Proper preparation is key: ensure your leeks are meticulously cleaned to remove any grit, then slice them very thinly to ensure they soften beautifully and integrate seamlessly into the filling.
• Puff Pastry: For ultimate convenience, a ready-rolled sheet of puff pastry from the supermarket’s refrigerated section (typically around 16 x 10 inches or 40 x 24 cm) is ideal. It provides a wonderfully flaky, buttery crust with minimal effort. If you only have individual puff pastry sheets, simply overlap them slightly in your pie tin and press the seams together firmly. Then, a quick roll with a rolling pin will create a uniform thickness of about 5 mm. For an extra crispy base, consider blind baking the pastry for about 10-15 minutes before adding the filling.
• Sour Cream: This thick, slightly acidified cream is essential for achieving the rich, full-bodied, and slightly tangy taste that makes this quiche so decadent. It contributes significantly to the creamy texture of the filling. For substitutions, crème fraîche offers a similar richness, while Greek yogurt can provide a lighter, tangier alternative (though it may alter the texture slightly).
• Eggs: The humble egg plays a vital role as the binding agent that holds all the delicious components of the quiche together, creating that classic custardy texture. We recommend large (L) sized eggs for consistent results.
• Seasonings: Don’t forget the classics: a good pinch of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a dash of nutmeg will round out the flavors beautifully. Nutmeg, in particular, pairs wonderfully with leeks and creamy dishes.

Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Your Chicken and Leek Quiche with Rice

Crafting this savory **chicken and leek quiche with rice** is straightforward and enjoyable. Below, you’ll find a detailed, step-by-step description to guide you through the process, along with a printable recipe card at the very end of this blog post.

1. Prepare the Filling Base: Begin by thoroughly cleaning your leeks and slicing them into thin, delicate rings. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, then add your bacon bits. Fry them for about 3 minutes, or until they start to crisp up and render their fat. Next, add the thinly sliced leek to the skillet. Continue to fry for another three minutes, stirring frequently, until the leeks soften beautifully and absorb the bacon’s savory flavors.
2. Assemble the Quiche: Carefully line your chosen spring form or pie dish with the puff pastry, ensuring it covers the bottom and extends up the sides with a slight overhang. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked leek-bacon mixture with the smoked chicken strips, sour cream, white wine (or stock), and the beaten eggs. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until well combined. Now, gently fold in the cooked rice, making sure it’s evenly distributed throughout the mixture. This is where all the wonderful flavors truly come together!
3. Fill and Shape: Carefully spoon the entire delicious rice and chicken mixture into the puff pastry-lined mold, spreading it out evenly. Once the filling is in place, neatly fold the overhanging edges of the puff pastry inwards over the filling. This creates a rustic, appealing border and helps to seal in the goodness.
4. Bake to Golden Perfection: Place your assembled quiche into a preheated oven at 400 °F (200 °C) for approximately 35 minutes. Bake until the pastry is gloriously golden brown and the filling is set and cooked through. The center should no longer be jiggly. Allow the quiche to cool slightly before slicing and serving, as this helps the filling to set completely for perfect slices.

Serve this exquisite savory pie with smoked chicken and leeks alongside a refreshing side salad. A classic Waldorf salad makes for an excellent pairing, offering a crisp, fruity contrast to the rich quiche. Other great options include a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, or even some steamed green beans for a light vegetable accompaniment.

Enhance Your Quiche: Tips, Clever Substitutions, and Exciting Variations

This **chicken quiche with leek and rice** recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to tailor it to your preferences, dietary needs, or whatever ingredients you have on hand. Here are some tips and ideas to inspire your culinary creativity:

• Puff Pastry Perfection: For the easiest approach, definitely opt for a ready-rolled sheet of puff pastry. If you’re using individual sheets, simply overlap the edges by about half an inch and firmly press the seams together to create a solid base. A quick roll with a rolling pin will ensure an even thickness. To prevent a soggy bottom and achieve an extra-crispy crust, consider **blind baking** the pastry for 10-15 minutes before adding the filling. This creates a barrier against the moisture from the filling.
• Veggie Boost: Elevate the nutritional value and flavor by adding more vegetables. Sautéed mushrooms are a fantastic addition, offering an earthy depth. Other great options include finely diced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange for color), blanched broccoli florets, or even a handful of sun-dried tomatoes (chopped) for a concentrated burst of flavor. Fresh spinach, wilted and squeezed dry, also works wonderfully.
• Meat-Free Marvel: Easily transform this into a vegetarian delight! Omit the smoked chicken and bacon bits entirely. Replace them with extra vegetables like a medley of bell peppers, a generous amount of broccoli florets, and a good handful of sun-dried tomatoes. You could also add crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese for a tangy kick, or even some sautéed firm tofu or plant-based sausage for a protein boost.
• Cheesy Indulgence: Introduce another layer of flavor with cheese! Grated Gruyere or Swiss cheese mixes beautifully into the filling, providing a nutty, savory note. Cheddar cheese is a classic, comforting choice, while a sprinkle of Parmesan on top will add a salty, umami crust.
• Budget-Friendly Protein: If smoked chicken isn’t available or you’re looking to cut costs, diced ham is an excellent and even more budget-friendly alternative. Cooked turkey, shredded pork, or even hearty lentils (for a vegetarian option) can also work.
• Herbaceous Notes: Fresh herbs can brighten the flavor profile significantly. A sprinkle of fresh thyme, rosemary, or parsley, either mixed into the filling or garnished on top, will add aromatic complexity.
• Individual Quiches: For a charming presentation, make individual mini quiches! Use muffin tins or small tart molds. Adjust baking time accordingly (usually 20-25 minutes). These are perfect for brunch, appetizers, or packed lunches.
• Gluten-Free Option: To make this recipe gluten-free, simply use a certified gluten-free puff pastry or a gluten-free pie crust. Ensure all other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! We love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card below! Your feedback helps other home cooks and us enormously.

Need more inspiration?

• You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel.
• And don’t forget to save the recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time!

Chicken Quiche with Leek and Rice

Andréa