Chicken and Mushroom Vol-Au-Vents

Puff pastry shells filled with chicken and mushrooms in a creamy white wine sauce are perfect for entertaining.

📝 Ingredients

• 18 puff pastry shells (thaw and cook per package directions)
• 1 1/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 4 ounces butter (1 stick)
• 8 ounces mushrooms (cut in quarters or eights depending on size)
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (chopped)
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup whipping cream
• pinch salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 medium egg (beaten with 1 tablespoon of water for pastry wash)
• 1 teaspoon parsley (chopped for garnish)
• 1 medium onion (peeled and halved)
• 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a 2-quart saucepan. Add the onion halves and cover with chicken stock and wine. Season the liquid with salt and pepper.
2. 2Turn the heat to high and bring to boiling point. Immediately turn the heat down to low, so that the liquid barely bubbles. Simmer for 10 minutes, then turn the heat off and let the chicken sit in the hot poaching liquid for 15 more minutes.
3. 3When cooked, remove from liquid and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting.
4. 4Bake the vol-au-vent pastry shells per the packet instructions.
5. 5Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet. Add the mushrooms and sautée for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly golden.
6. 6Add the garlic and thyme and stir well.
7. 7Add the wine, stirring into mixture. Turn the heat to high and return to simmering point. Decrease the heat and allow simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce the volume of wine by half.
8. 8Add the chopped chicken to the mushroom and wine mixture. Turn off the heat and let stand while preparing the cream sauce.
9. 9Melt the last 2 tablespoons of butter in another large skillet. Add the flour and stir well to form a roux. Continue to stir and cook over medium heat for 1 minute.
10. 10Gradually add the chicken stock, whisking continuously to prevent clumping. Bring to simmer and continue to stir and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until sauce thickens.
11. 11Add the dijon mustard and cream, stirring well to combine.
12. 12Add the mushroom and chicken mixture to the cream sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Turn the heat up to bring to simmering point again. Reduce heat and stir for 2 minutes. Turn the heat off and let stand for 5 minutes before filling the pastry shells.
13. 13Fill the cooked pastry shells with 2 to 3 teaspoons of chicken filling. Place the small pastry lid on top as decoration.
14. 14If pastry has cooled, return the filled vol-au-vents to a 375° F oven for 5 minutes. Alternatively, the pastry shells and filling can be made a day in advance. If so, fill the shells when ready, and heat in a 375° F. oven for 15 minutes.
15. 15Garnish with parsley if desired.