Can we talk seriously about this pie?

It is so so so good. Really. Would I lie to you?

I went through this pie making phase, and made about 20 different types of pies. This is still my favourite, and what makes me really happy is that I tried it on the kids yesterday and they loved it. I once ate it four nights in a row and I'm still not over it.

Amazing chicken, bacon, mushroom & leek pie

(Makes 1 little pie)

1 sheet frozen ready-rolled shortcrust pastry, partially thawed

1 (115g) chicken thigh fillet, trimmed, thinly sliced across the grain

1 tablespoon plain flour

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 small leek, trimmed, halved, washed, thinly sliced

1 rasher bacon, finely chopped

50g cup mushrooms, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons chicken stock

1 handful of cheese

1 sheet frozen ready-rolled puff pastry, partially thawed

1/ Preheat oven to 200°C. Cut a 16cm round from shortcrust pastry. Use to line base and side of a greased 1-cup capacity, 7.5cm (base), 12cm (top) pie pan. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden

2/ Place chicken, flour and paprika in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Heat oil in a small non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add chicken. Cook, tossing often, for 2 to 3 minutes or until browned. Remove to a bowl.

3/ Reduce heat to medium. Add leek and bacon to pan. Cook for 1 minute or until leek is soft. Add mushrooms and stock. Return chicken to pan. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, uncovered, for 3 minutes or until sauce thickens, mix in the cheese till melted.

4/ Spoon warm chicken filling into pastry case. Brush pastry edge with water. Cut an 18cm round from puff pastry. Place over the filling. Press pastry edges together. Trim excess puff pastry. Cut a small cross in the pie top. Brush top with water and season with salt and pepper. Place pie on hot baking tray.

5/ Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. Serve.

Tips:
To serve 2: Double quantity of ingredients. In step 2, cook chicken, in batches, for 2 to 3 minutes or until browned. In step 3, simmer for 5 to 8 minutes. In step 4, bake for 30 minutes or until golden.

To serve 4: Multiply quantity of ingredients by 4. In step 2, cook chicken, in batches, for 2 to 3 minutes or until browned. In step 3, simmer for 10 minutes. In step 4, bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until golden.