One of my favorite recipes is Chicken and Mushroom Vol-au-vent. Some may know this as “creamed chicken”. I actually make up a large batch of this delectable dish and freeze it in serving-sized portions. It makes a quick and easy meal when all that has to be done is bake the frozen patty shells, heat up the creamed mixture, and toss a green salad.
This recipe makes four generous servings. The great thing about this recipe is that it is a good way to use up cooked chicken if you have any or, if time is limited, it can even be made with a rotisserie chicken from the deli. Even though it is called “chicken” vol-au-vent, turkey can certainly be used as well.
While my preference is to use the puff pasty shells, commonly called “patty shells”, because they are light, airy, and ever-so-flaky, this creamed chicken mixture can also be served over toast points or biscuits fresh from the oven. I have even used appetizer-sized patty shells to serve this dish as part of a savory course for an afternoon tea. Fancy enough for company fare but easy enough for a weeknight meal.
[Printable recipe follows at end of posting]
Chicken and Mushroom Vol-au-vent Recipe
Ingredients
Sauce:
2-3 tbsp butter
3½ tbsp all-purpose flour
¾ cup chicken broth
1 cup whole milk
1 tbsp cooking sherry (optional)
¼ tsp garlic salt
Sprinkle pepper
Dash of paprika
2-3 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Filling:
2-3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp red pepper, finely chopped
3 tbsp celery, finely chopped
6-8 small white button mushrooms, sliced
1 cup cooked chicken, cubed
4 frozen puff pastry patty shells (or, alternatively, biscuits or toast cups)
Method:
Sauce: In medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour. Combine the chicken broth, milk, and sherry and whisk into the flour-butter mixture, whisking until smooth. Season with garlic salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until cheese is melted. Remove from heat and set aside.
Filling: In medium-sized frypan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, red pepper, celery, and mushrooms. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken and toss just until heated.
Assembly: Bake patty shells according to package directions. Add sautéed vegetables and chicken to the sauce. Stir gently to combine. Heat over medium-low heat to ensure all ingredients are heated. Spoon hot mixture into baked patty shells. Serve with a side salad.
Yield: 4 generous servings
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Chicken and Mushroom Vol-au-vent Recipe
An easy-to-make delectable creamed chicken filling encased in light and flaky puff pastry shells. Perfect for company fare but easy enough for weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Sauce:
- 2-3 tbsp butter
- 3½ tbsp all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tbsp cooking sherry optional
- ¼ tsp garlic salt
- Sprinkle pepper
- Dash of paprika
- 2-3 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Filling:
- 2-3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp onion finely chopped
- 2 tbsp red pepper finely chopped
- 3 tbsp celery finely chopped
- 6-8 small white button mushrooms sliced
- 1 cup cooked chicken cubed
Instructions
Sauce: In medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour. Combine the chicken broth, milk, and sherry and whisk into the flour-butter mixture, whisking until smooth. Season with garlic salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until cheese is melted. Remove from heat and set aside.
Filling: In medium-sized frypan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, red pepper, celery, and mushrooms. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken and toss just until heated.
Assembly: Bake patty shells according to package directions. Add sautéed vegetables and chicken to the sauce. Stir gently to combine. Heat over medium-low heat to ensure all ingredients are heated. Spoon hot mixture into baked patty shells. Serve with a side salad.
Recipe Notes
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