CHICKEN, POTATO, AND LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Cook bacon and oil together in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp and browned, about 8 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain, leaving the fat in the saucepan.
• Add the chicken to the fat, skin side down.
• Cook until the skin is deeply browned, about 4 minutes.
• Turn and cook the other side until lightly browned, about 2 minutes; transfer to a plate.
• Pour off any fat in the saucepan.
• Add the butter to the saucepan and return to medium heat.
• Add the leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, scraping up any browned bits in the bottom of the saucepan, until tender, about 8 minutes.
• Stir in the stock with the potato and thyme.
• Return the chicken to the saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Decrease heat to medium-low; simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the potato is tender, about 25 minutes.
• Transfer the chicken to the cutting board; remove the skin and bones and coarsely chop the meat; set aside.
• Add the cream to the soup and heat until piping hot, but do not boil.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• In batches, puree the soup in a blender and return to the saucepan.
• Serve hot, topping each serving with some of the chicken and bacon.