# What You 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 and 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 ready-rolled puff pastry, approximately 11.3 oz
17 - 1 egg, beaten for egg wash
# How-To Steps:
01 - Set oven to 400°F (180°C fan) and allow to preheat completely.
02 - In a large frying pan over medium heat, cook the bacon until golden and crisp, approximately 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel.
03 - In the same pan, add chicken pieces and brown on all sides for 5 to 6 minutes until golden. Transfer to a plate.
04 - Add butter to the pan, then stir in onions, leeks, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 8 to 10 minutes until vegetables are softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
05 - Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour flavor.
06 - Gradually pour in milk and chicken stock while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until thickened.
07 - Stir in the cooked bacon, browned 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 cooled filling into a large pie dish with approximately 1.6 quart capacity.
09 - Unroll the puff pastry and lay it over the filling. Trim any excess pastry and press the edges firmly to seal. Cut 3 to 4 small slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Brush the entire surface with beaten egg for a golden finish.
10 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the pastry is golden and crisp. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
