Chicken and Leek Pie (Printable)

Golden puff pastry filled with tender chicken, leeks, and smoky bacon in a creamy herb sauce

# What You'll 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
11 - 1 egg, beaten for egg wash

→ Pantry

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

# How-To Steps:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Its the kind of comfort food that makes people pause and close their eyes for a second after that first bite
  • The leeks add this mellow sweetness that balances perfectly with the smoky bacon and creamy sauce
  • Unlike some pot pies that feel heavy, this one manages to be rich without weighing you down afterward
02 -
  • Let the filling cool slightly before topping with pastry, otherwise youll end up with a soggy bottom crust and nobody wants that
  • That steam slit is not optional, I once skipped it and watched my beautiful pastry dome inflate like a balloon in the oven
  • The resting time after baking feels impossible when everyone is hungry, but it helps the filling set slightly so each serving holds its shape
03 -
  • If your leeks are particularly large, cut them in half lengthwise and rinse them under running water to remove any grit trapped between the layers
  • A splash of dry white wine added after sautéing the vegetables adds another layer of flavor that makes the finished pie taste more sophisticated
  • For the prettiest finish, brush the pastry with egg wash twice once before baking and once halfway through for the deepest golden color
Go Back