Chicken and Leek Pie (Print Version)

Tender chicken and leeks in creamy sauce with flaky pastry

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into ¾ inch pieces
02 - 3.5 oz smoked bacon lardons or diced streaky bacon

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

03 - 2 large leeks, cleaned and thinly sliced
04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 medium carrots, diced
07 - 1 stalk celery, diced

→ Dairy

08 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
09 - ⅓ cup plus 1 tbsp heavy cream
10 - ⅓ cup plus 1 tbsp whole milk

→ Pantry

11 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
12 - 1¼ cups low-sodium chicken stock
13 - 1 tbsp olive oil
14 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
15 - 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves or ½ tsp dried thyme
16 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, plus extra for garnish
17 - 13 oz ready-rolled puff pastry sheet
18 - 1 egg, beaten for egg wash
19 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until starting to crisp, about 3 minutes.
03 - Add onion, leeks, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
05 - Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly golden on all sides, about 5 minutes.
06 - Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir well, cooking for 2 minutes.
07 - Gradually pour in chicken stock, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add milk and cream, and bring to a simmer.
08 - Stir in Dijon mustard, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, until sauce thickens and chicken is cooked through. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
09 - Spoon filling into a deep 1.5 to 2 liter pie dish. Unroll puff pastry and lay it over the top, trimming any excess. Press edges to seal and cut a small slit in the center for steam to escape.
10 - Brush pastry with beaten egg. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until golden and puffed.
11 - Rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • A rich, savory herb sauce featuring fresh thyme and parsley.
  • The combination of smoky bacon lardons and sweet sautéed leeks adds depth of flavor.
  • Flaky, buttery puff pastry provides the perfect crunch in every bite.
02 -
  • Let the filling cool slightly before topping with pastry to prevent the dough from softening too much.
  • Cut a small slit in the center of the pastry to allow steam to escape, which keeps the crust crisp.
  • Use an egg wash to achieve a professional, deep golden-brown finish on the puff pastry.
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