Vol-au-Vent
Vol-au-vent are delicate, hollow puff pastry cases, traditionally filled with a rich and creamy mixture. This recipe features tender chicken and earthy mushrooms in a velvety sauce, making for an elegant appetizer or light main course perfect for special occasions.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Puff pastry(All-butter puff pastry is recommended for best flavor and texture. Ensure it is thawed if frozen.)
- 400 g Chicken breast(Boneless, skinless chicken breast.)
- 200 g Mushrooms(Cremini or button mushrooms work well. Cleaned and sliced.)
- 300 ml Heavy cream(Also known as whipping cream.)
- 100 ml Dry white wine(Such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. Optional, can be substituted with chicken broth.)
- 2 Shallots(Finely minced. About 2-3 tablespoons.)
- 1 tbsp Butter(Unsalted butter.)
- 1 tbsp All-purpose flour(For thickening the sauce.)
- 100 ml Chicken broth(Low sodium.)
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley(Chopped, for garnish.)
- 1 Egg yolk(Beaten with 1 tsp water for egg wash.)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper(Freshly ground.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the puff pastry cases: Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly flour a clean surface. Gently roll out the puff pastry to about 3-4mm thickness. Using a 7-8cm (3-inch) round cutter, cut out 12 rounds. Place 6 rounds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Using a slightly smaller cutter (about 5-6cm or 2-2.5 inches), cut a shallow circle into the center of these 6 rounds, being careful not to cut all the way through. This will form the rim. Brush the edges of these rounds with the egg wash. Place the remaining 6 pastry rounds on another baking sheet. Bake both sheets for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed, golden brown, and cooked through. Once baked, carefully remove the inner circles from the first 6 rounds (these are your 'lids'). You can gently scoop out any undercooked pastry from the center if needed. Set the pastry cases and lids aside.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 2
Cook the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a saucepan, cover with water or chicken broth, add a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and poach gently for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through. Drain, let cool slightly, then shred or dice into bite-sized pieces.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 3
Prepare the filling base: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced shallots and sauté until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they release their liquid and start to brown, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to form a roux.
⏱️ 10-12 minutes - 4
Create the creamy sauce: Pour in the white wine (if using) and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it bubble and reduce by half. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, followed by the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency that coats the back of a spoon. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. The sauce should be rich but not overly thick.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
Combine and fill: Gently fold the shredded chicken into the creamy mushroom sauce. Stir in most of the chopped parsley, reserving some for garnish. Spoon the warm filling generously into the pre-baked puff pastry cases. Place the pastry lids on top.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Serve immediately: Arrange the filled vol-au-vents on serving plates. Garnish with the remaining fresh parsley. Serve hot, ensuring the pastry remains crisp and the filling is warm and creamy.
⏱️ 1 minute
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For perfectly puffed pastry, ensure your oven is fully preheated and avoid opening the oven door during the initial baking phase.
- ✓The filling should be rich and creamy, not watery. If it seems too thin after adding the cream, simmer gently for a few more minutes until it reaches the desired consistency.
- ✓Vol-au-vents are best served immediately after filling to maintain the crispness of the pastry.
- ✓You can prepare the pastry cases and the filling separately a few hours in advance. Reheat the filling gently and fill the cases just before serving.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Seafood Vol-au-Vent: Replace chicken with cooked shrimp, scallops, or crab meat.
- Vegetarian Vol-au-Vent: Omit chicken and increase the quantity of mushrooms, or add other sautéed vegetables like leeks or asparagus.
- Truffle Vol-au-Vent: Add a teaspoon of truffle oil to the sauce for an extra layer of luxury.