Chicken and Leek Pie (Printable)

Tender chicken and leeks with smoky bacon in creamy sauce, encased in golden flaky pastry.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 3/4 inch pieces
02 - 3.5 oz smoked bacon lardons or diced bacon

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 large leeks, cleaned and sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
04 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 small onion, finely chopped

→ Sauce & Dairy

08 - 3.5 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
10 - 1 2/3 cups whole milk
11 - 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons chicken stock
12 - 1/3 cup heavy cream
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Pastry

16 - 1 sheet (11.3 oz) ready-rolled puff pastry
17 - 1 egg, beaten for egg wash

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large frying pan over medium heat, cook the bacon until golden and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
03 - In the same pan, add the chicken pieces and brown on all sides for 5-6 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
04 - Add butter to the pan, then stir in the onions, leeks, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 8-10 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
05 - Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, stirring well for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste.
06 - Gradually pour in the milk and chicken stock, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until thickened.
07 - Stir in the cooked bacon, chicken, heavy cream, mustard, and thyme. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
08 - Pour the filling into a 1.6 quart pie dish. Unroll the pastry and lay it over the top of the filling. Trim any excess and press the edges to seal. Cut a few small slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Brush with beaten egg.
09 - Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the pastry is golden and crisp. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The smoky bacon bits act like hidden treasures buried in a sea of velvet cream.
  • Using chicken thighs ensures every bite stays succulent even after the long bake.
02 -
  • Never pour hot filling directly under raw pastry or the bottom will turn into a gummy layer.
  • Cutting those tiny slits in the lid is the only way to keep the crust from getting soggy.
03 -
  • Brush the egg wash all the way to the edges to ensure an even glossy finish everywhere.
  • Rotate the dish halfway through baking if your oven has a stubborn hot spot.
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