The recipe is simple, practical, and can easily be made ahead — perfect for family dinners, Sunday suppers, or using up leftover roast chicken.

Ingredients you’ll need for this Chicken and Leek Pot Pie

Before we jump into the method, let’s talk about the ingredients, because each one has its role in building the flavors of this cozy pie:

For the filling:

• Chicken. Tender, juicy chicken makes up the heart of the filling. You can use leftover roast chicken (or even turkey), rotisserie chicken, or cooked chicken breasts and/or thighs especially for this dish. I actually like a mix of white and dark meats. Make sure the chicken pieces are skinned and deboned.
• Bacon sticks (or lardons, as we call them in France). These bring a smoky, savory depth that balances the creaminess of the sauce. If you can’t source “lardons”, thick-cut bacon sliced into matchsticks works perfectly.
• Leeks. The co-star of this recipe! Their mild sweetness pairs perfectly with the savory chicken bits. Be sure to wash them carefully between the layers to remove any grit. I love how they get so melty once cooked down. I prefer to use mostly the white parts: the green ends never really get super tender. 
• Celery & garlic. This combo creates the aromatic base in the filling, that adds freshness and balance.

To make the creamy sauce:

• Flour & butter. Combined, they form a roux, which thickens the creamy sauce.
• Chicken stock. Use a good quality low-sodium broth for maximum flavor without oversalting.
• Milk & cream. Together, these create a luscious sauce. The cream ensures richness, while the milk keeps it light enough for seconds.
• Thyme & bay leaf. Classic herbs that infuse the sauce with warmth and earthiness.
• Nutmeg. Just a pinch makes the cream sauce sing with subtle depth and warmth.
• Dijon mustard. It cuts through the richness of the creamy sauce with a gentle tang and adds that signature French taste.

For the top layer: 

• Puff pastry. Buttery, flaky pastry that rises beautifully in the oven. Store-bought is totally fine here. Make sure you buy an “all-butter” pastry (avoid oil or lard-based), this really makes a difference here.
• Egg yolk – Brushed atop the puff pastry to create that irresistible golden shine on top.

How to Make Chicken and Leek Pie (Step-by-Step)

1. Prepare the ingredients.

If you’re using raw chicken, pan-fry it until just cooked through. Chop into bite-sized pieces. If using cooked chicken, shred it into chunks. Slice the leeks (whites only), celery, and bacon into small pieces. Mince the garlic.

2. Cook the base

Heat a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until lightly crisp. Add the leeks, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened but not browned.

3. Make the sauce

Melt the butter in the pan with the vegetables. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to coat the vegetables. This is your “roux”: this will thicken your filling later. Gradually whisk in the chicken stock, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add the milk, cream, thyme and bay leaf. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.

4. Assemble the filling

Stir in the chicken pieces and Dijon mustard. Season with grated nutmeg, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remove the bay leaf and transfer the mixture into a deep pie dish.

5. Top with puff pastry

Roll out the puff pastry and cut it into a circle as large as your pie dish. You can use your dish or a plate as an outline. Cut a hole in the middle, this helps the steam escape while the filling bakes. Optional: Here I like to cut out a large circular strip of pastry and line-it along the inner edge on the pie dish. This helps create a thick pie edge. Lay your puff pastry circle on top. Brush the pastry with beaten egg for that golden shine.

6. Bake

Bake until the pastry is puffed, golden, and crisp. Allow the pie to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving – this helps the filling set slightly.

FAQs – Chicken and Leek Pot Pie

Which part of a chicken is best to use for this recipe?

I typically just use an entire rotisserie chicken for this recipe, but it’s completely acceptable to use whatever you have leftover, all white or all dark meat. Ideally a mix of white and dark meat for the best texture, but anything will work!

What are lardons? Can I replace them?

What we call “Lardons” are matchstick cut pieces of pork belly, found absolutely everywhere in France. If you can’t find lardons where you are, any type of thick cut bacon will work well in this recipe – just cut the strips into matchsticks on your own, using a sharp knife. Use natural bacon for a subtle taste, or go with smoked bacon if you want a bolder tasting dish.

Can I make it as a pie with a base?

Yes, absolutely! If you want to make this recipe into an actual pie (with a base), line your dish with a bottom layer of pastry, blind-bake it for 10 minutes, then add the filling and top crust. I suggest having a look at my French Chicken And Mushroom Pie (Tourte) recipe as an example.

Can I sub all the heavy cream with milk to make the sauce lighter?

I would highly suggest against it. The heavy cream provides the thickness, velvetiness and richness necessary for this recipe – and it also prevents a runny filling from developing.

Can I use store-bought puff pastry?

Yes! For convenience, I often use store-bought puff pastry. Choose a good-quality butter-based crust, and if frozen, thaw it as directed and keep it chilled until ready to bake. Puff pastries come round in France, and I know most come square in the US/Canada: no worries here, you can simply cut the sheet round to fit your pie dish.

If you’d like to try homemade, I recommend Sally’s Baking Addiction puff pastry recipe—it’s simple, buttery, and delicious.

How can I make it gluten free?

While I haven’t done this myself, yes you can! You’ll need to find yourself a gluten-free pie crust (many brands offer this now) and use a gluten-free thickening replacement for the ¼ cup of all-purpose flour used in the sauce, such as cornstarch or rice flour.

How do I prevent the pie top from browning too quickly?

Good question, all ovens are different and some may bake more from the top, browning your pie top more. If the top browns too fast (usually after 20–30 minutes), loosely cover it with foil. This allows it to keep baking without over-browning.

Can I make this pie ahead of time?

Yes! The filling can be made up to a day in advance and stored in the fridge. Assemble with the puff pastry just before baking. You can also freeze the fully baked pie — it reheats beautifully.

How long does this chicken and leek pie keep?

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Let the pie cool, then cover tightly or place in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C)—avoid the microwave to keep the crust crisp.

For freezing, cool completely, wrap well, and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen: cover with foil and heat at 375°F (190°C) for 35–40 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with a crisp green salad with mustard vinaigrette.
• For a heartier meal, serve with a Butternut Squash soup, a Roasted Carrot Soup or Green Beans Almondine on the side.
• A glass of dry white wine (like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc) is a perfect match.

Recipe Tips & Variations you can try

• Make ahead: The filling can be prepared 1 day in advance. Store it in the fridge and assemble with the pastry crust just before baking.
• Seasonal add-ins: Mushrooms, carrots, or even spinach work beautifully in this pie.
• Individual pies: Divide the filling into ramekins or mini dishes and top each with puff pastry for single-serving pies.

I hope you enjoy this Creamy Chicken and Leek Pot Pie as much as I do.  If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment—I’ll be glad to assist.

Chicken and leek pot pie

Print Recipe

Serves: 8 Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cooking Time: 45 Minutes 45 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 4.0/5

( 3 voted )

Ingredients

600g chicken meat (21 ounces), cooked, shredded or chopped
200g bacon (4 strips/7 ounces), cut into ¼-inch-thick slices
2 leeks (whites only), cleaned and sliced thinly in half-rounds
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup (30g) all-purpose flour
2 tbsp butter
1 cup (250ml) chicken stock, ideally low-sodium
1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
1 ½ cup (375ml) milk (whole or 2 %)
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp grated nutmeg
1 (13-oz [370-g]) packet ready-rolled puff pastry
1 egg

Instructions

1. Cook the bacon. In a large pan over medium heat, cook the bacon (or lardons) until crisp, about 5 minutes. 
2. Sauté the aromatics. Add the garlic, celery, and leek. Cook for 6–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant (but not browned).
3. Build the base. Add the butter and let it melt. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to coat the vegetables—there should be no visible white flour left. Slowly whisk in the chicken stock, then stir in the milk, cream, thyme, and bay leaf. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, until the mixture thickens slightly.
4. Add the flavor. Stir in the Dijon mustard, shredded chicken, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until everything is well combined. The filling should be creamy and chunky. If it’s too thin, simmer a bit longer; if too thick, loosen with a splash of cream. Remove the bay leaf.
5. Prepare the filling. Transfer the mixture to the bottom of a deep pie dish and smooth the top with the back of a spoon. Let it cool for at least 30 minutes—this helps the pastry stay crisp when baking.
6. Preheat the oven. Heat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and position a rack in the middle.
7. Top with pastry. Roll out the puff pastry and cut it into a circle the same size as your pie dish, using the dish (or a plate) as a guide. Cut a small hole in the center—this allows steam to escape during baking. Optional: For a thicker, more defined crust edge, cut a long strip of "leftover" pastry and press it along the inner rim of the dish before adding the top. Lay the pastry circle over the pie and gently press the edges to seal. Brush the surface with the beaten egg yolk.
8. Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and deeply golden.
9. Rest and serve. Let the pie sit for about 10 minutes before serving—this gives the filling time to set.

The post Creamy Chicken and Leek Pot Pie appeared first on Pardon Your French.

What is a French “Tourte” Exactly? 

In France, the term “Tourte” is commonly used to designate a savory two-crusted pie. A Tourte usually includes a filling of meat and/or vegetables, encased between two layers of pastry – either puff pastry or pastry dough. 

Tourte is a very popular winter dish in France, with countless regional variations. Some of its most famous ones include the “Bisteu” from Northern France (filled with potatoes slices and bacon, a recipe you can find in my cookbook), the “Tourte Lorraine” (filled with white-wine marinated ground pork and veal), or the “Tourte Niçoise’, a sweet variation filled with Swiss chard and pine nuts and topped with icing sugar to serve as a dessert.  

This French Chicken and Mushroom Pie isn’t affiliated to a particular region, but is very popular all throughout France, especially in the Fall and early Winter. Unlike typical American or British chicken pot pies that usually include carrots, celery and peas, the French version traditionally features mushrooms in a creamy sauce, flavored with Dijon mustard and herbs. 

This recipe is a staple in our household – it is always a hit!

The Recipe

The flaky buttery crust, the creamy sauce, the tender chunks of chicken, the salty bacon, the flavorful mushrooms… This French Chicken And Mushroom Pie (Tourte) truly is French comfort food at its best! 

And what I really love about this recipe is that you can use a few shortcuts, if you want. You can cook chicken breasts for the occasion or just use leftover roast chicken (or even turkey) if you have some. You can make your puff pastry from scratch or use a ready-made one for convenience (which I often do). 

While this recipe features multiple steps, the instructions are straightforward and easy to complete. Before diving into it, I wanted to give you answers to some of the most common questions you may ask about this recipe.  

Common Questions

What chicken pieces can I use? 

For convenience, I think using boneless, skinless chicken breasts is ideal. A satisfying chicken pot pie should yield a chunky filling. So using breasts, I suggest you cut the chicken in big chunks that are at least 1-1.5 inch (2.5-3.5cm) in size. And because they will bake further in the creamy sauce, they will remain tender. 

Can I substitute the chicken breasts?

Yes, this pie can also be an excellent way to repurpose leftover cooked chicken (or even turkey!). So, if you made a roasted chicken yesterday, you could use the leftover meat. To do so, use the exact same quantity of chicken meat (deboned, skinned: 510g), cube it and simply skip step 1 and 3 in the recipe – since your chicken will be already cooked. 

Can I use a store-bought puff pastry crust?

Yes, absolutely. For convenience and to save time, I honestly often rely on store-bought puff pastry. When shopping for the puff pastry, make sure to get a good quality double pastry (or two packets of single sheets). If frozen, thaw according to package instructions before cooking and keep the packets in the fridge until ready to cook. 

If you’re up for making a from-scratch puff pastry, I recommend the rough puff pastry recipe from Clotilde Dusoulier. It is easy to make, uses lots of butter (in true French fashion) and turns out great. 

What dish is best for this pie? 

A 9” (23cm) diameter pie dish is best for making this recipe. You can also use a low-sided cast iron skillet or even a 9″ round cake pan. 

How to prevent the bottom of the crust from getting soggy? 

Not having a soggy crust mostly depends on the quality of your filling: it shouldn’t be soupy. When making your filling, aim for a thick, creamy texture – not liquidy. Coming off the stove, right before filling the crust, the filling should be fairly “tight”.  

How to prevent the tourte from browning too quickly?

After 20-30 minutes of baking, if you think the top of your tourte is browning too quickly, place a sheet of foil loosely over the top. The pie will continue to bake but this will prevent the top from over-browning. 

How long can you keep this Chicken And Mushroom Pie? 

Any leftovers? You can keep the tourte in the fridge or in the freezer. 

• Keep it in the fridge: let the tourte cool completely before placing it in an airtight container or covering it tightly with foil. Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat the tourte in the oven, at 350°F (180°C). I don’t recommend re-heating it in the microwave as the crust will become soggy. 
• To freeze: let the tourte cool completely before placing it in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Remove from the freezer 30 minutes before baking (no need to thaw completely). Bake covered with foil for 35-40 minutes at 375°F (190°C).  

Cooking notes and substitutions: 

• Cremini mushrooms are traditionally used for making this recipe, but you can opt for other seasonal mushrooms if you like, such as chanterelles. 
• Puff pastry warms up quickly and can get sticky, so keep each sheet rolled in the fridge up until you need it. Act fast when rolling it out and transferring it into the dish.

I hope you’ll love this Chicken And Mushroom Pie as much as I do! If you have any questions, please leave a comment. 

More Chicken recipes you may like: 

• Classic French Coq Au Vin Rouge
• French Roast Chicken (Poulet Rôti)
• French Tarragon Chicken 
• Simple Chicken Marengo with Mushrooms 
• Chicken Chasseur (Classic French Hunter’s Chicken)
• Braised Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Onion
• Chicken Breasts in Creamy Mushroom Sauce

French Chicken And Mushroom Pie (Tourte)

Print Recipe

Serves: 8 Prep Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 40 Minutes 40 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 4.3/5

( 17 voted )

Ingredients

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 170g each)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
4 tbsp (60g) unsalted butter, divided
200g bacon (4 strips/7 ounces), cut into ¼-inch-thick slices
1 lbs (450g) mushrooms (cremini and/or various types), sliced
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
6 tbsp (50g) plain/all-purpose flour
3/4 cup + 1tbsp (195ml) chicken stock (ideally, low sodium)
3/4 cup + 1tbsp (195ml) milk (2% minimum)
2 tbsp Dijon Mustard
1 tsp dried thyme
2 (13-oz [370-g]) packets ready-rolled puff pastry
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp (15ml) milk

Instructions

Step 1 – 1 hour prior to cooking, rinse the chicken breasts under cold water and pat-dry thoroughly with paper towel. Cut them into 1-1.5 inch (2.5-3.5cm) cubes and season with salt and pepper. Set aside, at room temperature.

Step 2 - On the stove top over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large frying pan. Add the bacon and cook for about 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and lightly crisp. Set aside, leaving the fat drippings in the pan.

Step 3 – Add the chicken cubes to the pan and cook for 7-8 minutes until mostly cooked. Set aside onto a plate and cover with foil.

Step 4 – Add one tablespoon of butter to the pan. Add the sliced mushrooms, season with black pepper, and cook for about 10 minutes, until the mushrooms are cooked and lightly browned. Set aside onto a plate.

Step 5 - Add one last tablespoon of butter to the pan. Add the garlic and onion, and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until translucent. Add the flour and stir to coat the onions and garlic. Start pouring in the chicken stock very slowly, in small additions. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens – make sure there are no lumps left before you start pouring in more stock. Let the liquid simmer for a few seconds to thicken further.

Step 6 – Start pouring in the milk very slowly, in small additions. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency. Stir in the Dijon mustard and thyme. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, with salt and pepper.

Step 7 – Turn the heat to low and add the bacon bits, mushrooms, and chicken pieces to the cream. Stir to coat evenly. Set aside.

Preheat your oven to 410˚F (210˚C) with a rack in the middle.

Step 8 - Line a deep 9-inch (23cm) pie dish with parchment paper. Unroll the first sheet of pastry and place it on the bottom. Don’t worry about the edges that hang over the dish. Poke the sheet all over with a fork. Pour the chicken filling into the dish and spread it out.

Step 9 - Unroll the second sheet of pastry and place it over the top of the filling. Press the edges together tightly to seal – removing any trapped air as you do so. Roll up the hanging pastry sheet edges together towards the center to create a thick, well-bound outer rim.

Whisk together the milk and the egg yolk, and brush it atop the pie. With the tip of a sharp knife, score a 1-inch (2.5cm) circle in the center of the pastry lid, for the steam to escape from while baking.

Bake the pie for 20 minutes. Lower the temperature to 350˚F (180˚C) and bake for another 20 minutes, until the top looks crisp and golden.

Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.

The post French Chicken And Mushroom Pie (Tourte) appeared first on Pardon Your French.