Lunch: Loaded Chicken-Bacon Pot Pie

Deli-roasted chicken and puff pastry shortcut time; bacon, white wine, and mustard give the gravy and vegetables savory punch.

Ingredients

5 thick bacon slices, diced (about 1 cup)
1 medium-size sweet onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup chopped carrots
1 (8-oz.) package fresh mushrooms, halved
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups reduced-sodium or organic chicken broth
3/4 cup whipping cream
1 1/2 tablespoons dry mustard
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
4 cups shredded deli-roasted chicken
1 cup small frozen sweet peas
1/2 (17.3-oz.) package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Garnish: fresh thyme

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 °. Cook bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until crisp. Drain on paper towels, reserving 3 Tbsp. drippings.
Add onion to hot drippings, and sauté 3 minutes. Add garlic and next 2 ingredients; sauté 4 to 5 minutes or until carrots are crisp-tender. Remove from heat, and add wine. Return to heat; cook 2 minutes. Sprinkle with flour; cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes. Whisk in broth; bring to a boil. Boil, whisking constantly, 2 to 3 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cream and next 4 ingredients.
Remove from heat, and stir in chicken, peas, and bacon. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish. Place pastry over hot filling, pressing edges to seal and trimming off excess. (Use scraps to cover any exposed filling, if necessary.) Whisk together egg and 1 Tbsp. water. Brush over pastry.
Bake at 400 ° on lower oven rack 35 to 40 minutes or until browned and bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
Note: You can also make these in 6 (12-oz.) ramekins. Cut pastry into circles; place over ramekins after filling. Bake as directed.