Chicken a la King

By littlejordan

Ingredients

• 8 puff pastry shells, such as Pepperidge Farm
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• 4 ribs celery with leafy tops, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• Half of a red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• One 32-ounce container (4 cups) chicken broth
• 2 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1 small bunch (about 10 ounces) asparagus, trimmed and cut on a diagonal into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup frozen green peas
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon

Details

Servings 4

Preparation

Step 1

Bake the pastry shells according to package directions.

While the pastry shells bake, in a large, deep skillet, heat the EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, over medium to medium-high heat. Stir in the celery, carrots, onion and bay leaf, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Add the red bell pepper and cook for 2 minutes. Push the vegetables to the side of the pan, add the butter to the pan and melt. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the chicken broth, add the chicken and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 8 minutes. Stir in the cream and bring just to a boil, then stir in the asparagus, peas and tarragon and cook for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Place 2 hollow pastry shells in each bowl and fill with Chicken à la Queen. Cover with pastry shell tops.