This is just what you need on a cold night. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes.

Prep Time

    •    Prep time: 45 minutes
    •    Cook time: 30 minutes
    •    Yield: Serves 4-6

Ingredients

    •    200ml milk
    •    1 egg, beaten
    •    2 tbsps plain flour
    •    1 tbsp vegetable oil
    •    400ml chicken stock
    •    handful thyme sprigs
    •    1 onion, halved and sliced
    •    8 skinless boneless chicken thighs
    •    250g pack baby button mushrooms
    •    500g pack fresh puff pastry, or frozen and defrosted
    •    8 rashers smoked streaky bacon, cut into large pieces

Method

1. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large, non-stick frying pan.
   
   
2. Season 8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs and fry for 5-8 mins until golden brown, turning occasionally. You may need to do this in two batches, depending on the size of your pan.
   
   
3. Lift the chicken onto a plate and tip 8 smoked, streaky bacon rashers, cut into large pieces, into the pan. Fry for 5 mins until crisp.
   
   
4. Add 1 halved and sliced onion, 250g baby button mushrooms and a handful of thyme sprigs, then fry on a high heat for another 3 mins until the onions start to colour.
   
   
5. Tip 2 tbsp plain flour into the pan and cook, stirring, for 1 min.
   
   
6. With the pan off the heat, gradually stir or whisk in 400ml chicken stock, followed by 200ml milk, then add the chicken back to the pan.
   
   
7. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 30 mins. Spoon the filling into a large pie or baking dish (approx 20 x 30cm) with a lip and leave to cool.
   
   
8. Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. On a floured surface, roll 500g puff pastry to the thickness of two £1 coins.
   
   
9. Cut a long strip as wide as the rim of the pie dish and, using a little of the 1 beaten egg, fix to the edge of the pie dish.
   
   
10. Brush with beaten egg, then lift the rest of the pastry over the pie, using the rolling pin to help. Gently press the edges with your fingers and trim with a sharp knife.
    
    
11. Brush lightly with egg to glaze, then bake for 30 mins or until the pastry is risen and dark golden brown.

This great family recipe is thanks to BBC goodfood Recipes at https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/chicken-mushroom-puff-pie