Impress your guests with this elegant and easy-to-make French-inspired dish—Creamy Chicken Vol-au-Vent. This delicate puff pastry shell is filled with a rich and creamy mixture of chicken, smoky bacon, leeks, and cream cheese. With minimal prep, using store-bought puff pastry and rotisserie chicken, you can create an impressive appetizer that will steal the show at any dinner party.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Puff Pastry Shells:

• 1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed

• 1 large egg

• 1 tbsp water

• 6 bacon strips

• 2 medium leeks (white parts only), sliced

• 1 medium sweet yellow pepper, diced

• 1 cup rotisserie chicken, shredded

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• ¼ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp pepper

• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Directions

1. Prepare Puff Pastry Shells:
   Preheat your oven to 400°F. Unfold one sheet of puff pastry, and cut 6 circles using a 3 ¼-inch round cutter. Place these on a baking sheet. For the second sheet, cut 6 rings using a smaller cutter (2 ½ inches). Place these rings on top of the circles. Brush with egg wash (egg beaten with water). Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes, then bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Let them cool on a wire rack.

2. Make the Creamy Chicken Filling:
   Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, then remove it from the pan. In the same pan, cook the leeks and pepper over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes until tender. Lower the heat and stir in the bacon, chicken, cream cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well mixed and the cheese has melted into a creamy consistency.

3. Assemble Vol-au-Vents:
   Once the pastry shells have cooled, use a small knife to hollow out the centers. Spoon the creamy chicken filling into each pastry shell. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Nutrients

• Calories: 699 kcal per serving

• Protein: 19g

• Fat: 45g

• Carbohydrates: 47g

• Sodium: 670mg

• Fiber: 6g

• Sugar: 4g

This recipe combines elegance and simplicity, creating an unforgettable appetizer that will elevate any gathering. Enjoy your delicious, French-inspired Vol-au-Vents!

Why Creamy Chicken Vol-au-Vent is a Perfect Appetizer

The beauty of this dish lies in its combination of rich, savory flavors and light, flaky texture. The puff pastry, which puffs up perfectly when baked, provides a golden, crispy shell that contrasts beautifully with the creamy, flavorful filling inside. The smoky bacon, tender leeks, and rotisserie chicken create a savory mixture that is indulgent yet balanced. The cream cheese brings a smooth, creamy consistency that ties all the ingredients together, making each bite a burst of flavor.

Despite its gourmet appearance, this dish is incredibly easy to make, with the convenience of store-bought puff pastry and rotisserie chicken cutting down on prep time. The result is an elegant, flavorful appetizer that will impress your guests without requiring hours of effort in the kitchen. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or a casual get-together, these creamy chicken vol-au-vents are a perfect choice.

Key Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Vol-au-Vent

To make Creamy Chicken Vol-au-Vent, the key ingredients combine to create a harmonious flavor profile. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:

Puff Pastry: The foundation of the vol-au-vent, puff pastry creates a light and flaky shell. Using store-bought puff pastry saves time and effort while still providing the perfect base for the creamy filling.

Bacon: The crispy bacon adds a smoky, savory flavor that elevates the dish. Its crunchy texture contrasts beautifully with the creamy filling inside the pastry.

Leeks and Sweet Yellow Pepper: These vegetables bring a slight sweetness and depth of flavor to the filling. The leeks, in particular, add a mild onion flavor that pairs wonderfully with the bacon and chicken.

Rotisserie Chicken: Using rotisserie chicken makes the preparation even easier, as the chicken is already cooked and shredded. It’s a great way to add protein and flavor without additional cooking time.

Cream Cheese: The cream cheese provides the richness and creaminess that ties all the flavors together. It melts into the filling, creating a smooth, velvety texture that complements the flaky puff pastry.

Egg Wash: Brushing the puff pastry with an egg wash (egg mixed with water) before baking gives the shells a golden, glossy finish.

Fresh Parsley: A garnish of fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a hint of freshness to the finished vol-au-vents, making them look even more inviting.

How to Make Creamy Chicken Vol-au-Vent

Creating these Creamy Chicken Vol-au-Vents is simple, and the results are impressive. Here’s how to make them:

1. Prepare Puff Pastry Shells:
   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Unfold one sheet of thawed puff pastry and use a 3 ¼-inch round cutter to cut 6 circles. Place these circles on a baking sheet. For the second sheet of puff pastry, use a smaller cutter (2 ½ inches) to cut 6 rings, which will be placed on top of the circles to form the vol-au-vent shape. Brush the pastry shells with an egg wash (1 beaten egg mixed with 1 tablespoon of water) and refrigerate them for 15 minutes to allow the puff pastry to chill. After chilling, bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and puffed. Allow the shells to cool on a wire rack.

2. Make the Creamy Chicken Filling:
   In a skillet, cook the bacon strips over medium heat until crispy, then remove them from the pan and set aside. In the same skillet, add the sliced leeks and diced sweet yellow pepper. Cook over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, until the leeks are tender and the pepper softens. Reduce the heat and stir in the crispy bacon, shredded rotisserie chicken, softened cream cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well combined and the cream cheese has melted into a creamy filling.

3. Assemble the Vol-au-Vents:
   Once the puff pastry shells have cooled, use a small knife to hollow out the centers of the pastry. Be careful not to break the outer walls of the pastry. Spoon the creamy chicken filling into each pastry shell, filling it generously with the mixture.

4. Garnish and Serve:
   Garnish each vol-au-vent with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and a fresh flavor. Serve immediately while the pastry is still warm and flaky.

Serving Suggestions for Creamy Chicken Vol-au-Vent

These Creamy Chicken Vol-au-Vents are perfect as a starter or appetizer for a formal dinner, a holiday meal, or a special occasion. They can be served on their own, as they’re hearty enough to stand alone, or alongside a light salad to balance out the richness. For a complete meal, pair them with a fresh vegetable side or a simple soup to start.

These vol-au-vents are also perfect for entertaining because they are easy to eat with your hands, making them an excellent choice for cocktail parties or casual gatherings. Their elegant presentation and rich flavor make them a memorable dish that your guests will rave about.

Health Considerations and Customizations

While Creamy Chicken Vol-au-Vent is indulgent, there are ways to make it slightly lighter or adjust it to meet dietary preferences:

• Lighter Option: Swap the cream cheese for a lighter cream cheese or Greek yogurt for a lower-fat alternative. You could also use a reduced-fat puff pastry.

• Vegetarian Option: For a vegetarian twist, replace the chicken and bacon with sautéed mushrooms and spinach, and use a plant-based cream cheese alternative to maintain the creamy filling.

• Spicy Version: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the filling for a touch of heat, or mix in some diced jalapeños for extra flavor.

Conclusion: A Show-Stopping Appetizer

Creamy Chicken Vol-au-Vent is a French-inspired dish that’s both elegant and simple to make. With its golden puff pastry shell filled with a creamy, flavorful mixture of chicken, bacon, leeks, and cream cheese, this dish is the perfect appetizer for any gathering. Whether you’re hosting a formal dinner or a casual get-together, these vol-au-vents are sure to impress your guests with their taste and presentation. Thanks to the use of rotisserie chicken and store-bought puff pastry, the recipe is easy to prepare while still looking and tasting like a gourmet dish. It’s an unforgettable appetizer that’s bound to elevate any occasion.