Chicken Wellington

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Golden, crisp puff pastry wrapped around tender, juicy chicken breast with a rich mushroom duxelles and a touch of Dijon mustard — Chicken Wellington is a showstopper dish perfect for when you want something elegant without overcomplicating your kitchen life. This stunning main course brings the best of flaky pastry and savory, moist chicken, all in one beautiful, compact package.

Chicken Wellington is ideal for holidays, dinner parties, or anytime you want to impress someone at your table. The best part? It’s surprisingly easy to make once you get your steps lined up. A few quality ingredients and some careful assembly lead to a restaurant-quality result straight from your oven.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Wellington

This recipe hits the sweet spot between elegance and comfort. It transforms simple ingredients into something visually dramatic and flavor-packed. The puff pastry turns golden and buttery, encasing the chicken and mushroom filling in a crisp shell that shatters at the touch of your fork. The chicken stays moist and flavorful thanks to a brief sear and flavorful spread of mustard. Even picky eaters will find themselves asking for seconds.

It’s also very make-ahead friendly. You can prep the components earlier in the day and just bake when you’re ready. This makes it perfect for stress-free entertaining.

What Kind of Puff Pastry Should I Use?

You want to go for all-butter puff pastry if you can find it. It gives a richer flavor and better flake than vegetable-oil-based varieties. Most frozen puff pastry sheets from the freezer section of your grocery store will work fine—just make sure they’re fully thawed before using, but still cold. This will help you avoid tearing or stretching the dough when wrapping the chicken.

Ingredients for the Chicken Wellington

Chicken Wellington is all about layers of flavor and texture, and each ingredient has a job to do. Choose high-quality basics and your final result will reflect that.

  • Chicken breasts
  • Puff pastry sheets
  • Cremini mushrooms
  • Shallot
  • Garlic
  • Fresh thyme
  • Dijon mustard
  • Prosciutto slices
  • Egg yolk
  • Olive oil
  • Butter
  • Salt and pepper

How To Make the Chicken Wellington

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat a bit of olive oil in a skillet and sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from the pan and let them cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Mushroom Duxelles

In the same skillet, melt butter and add finely chopped mushrooms, shallots, and garlic. Cook until all the moisture evaporates and the mixture is rich and paste-like. Stir in fresh thyme, season with salt and pepper, and let it cool.

Step 3: Assemble the Layers

Lay out slices of prosciutto on plastic wrap, overlapping slightly. Spread the mushroom mixture on top. Place a chicken breast in the center, brush with Dijon mustard, and wrap it tightly with the prosciutto-mushroom layer. Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes to firm up.

Step 4: Wrap in Puff Pastry

Roll out the puff pastry into a square large enough to wrap around the chicken package. Place the chilled parcel in the center and wrap the pastry around it, sealing the edges with a little water. Trim any excess and place seam-side down on a baking sheet. Chill again for 10 minutes.

Step 5: Egg Wash and Bake

Brush the pastry with beaten egg yolk for a glossy finish. Optionally score the top lightly with a knife for decoration. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes or until the pastry is deeply golden and puffed. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

How to Serve and Store Chicken Wellington

Chicken Wellington is best served hot and fresh from the oven when the pastry is still crisp. Each parcel slices beautifully, revealing the cross-section of flaky pastry, savory mushrooms, and juicy chicken.

This recipe feeds 4 people generously and can be doubled easily. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F to keep the pastry crisp.

What to Serve With Chicken Wellington?

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

The richness of the Wellington pairs beautifully with a buttery mash.

Roasted Asparagus

A bright, slightly crisp vegetable like asparagus balances the meal.

Garlic Green Beans

They add a little crunch and vibrant color to the plate.

Honey-Glazed Carrots

Sweet, tender carrots complement the savory richness of the dish.

Caesar Salad

A crisp salad with creamy dressing helps lighten up the meal.

Red Wine Mushroom Sauce

Drizzle a spoonful of extra mushroom sauce for more umami.

Buttery Dinner Rolls

Perfect for soaking up any juices left on the plate.

Creamy Parmesan Polenta

A comforting side that adds another luxurious layer to the experience.

Want More Chicken Dinner Ideas?

If you love this Chicken Wellington, here are more delicious chicken-focused recipes to explore:

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Let me know in the comments if you gave it a try! Did you use puff pastry from scratch or store-bought? Did you add a layer of cheese or a twist with pesto?

I always love seeing how others make these recipes their own. And if you’ve got questions, drop them below so we can make cooking easier together.

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Chicken Wellington


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  • Author: Janet Reynolds
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

This Chicken Wellington recipe features juicy chicken breasts wrapped in golden puff pastry with a savory mushroom duxelles and prosciutto layer. Perfect for an elegant dinner or holiday main, this classic dish is full of flavor, easy to prep ahead, and sure to impress. Keywords: Chicken Wellington, puff pastry chicken, holiday dinner, chicken recipe.


Ingredients

2 chicken breasts

2 puff pastry sheets (thawed, but still cold)

8 oz cremini mushrooms (finely chopped)

1 shallot (finely chopped)

2 cloves garlic (minced)

1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

4 slices prosciutto

1 egg yolk (for egg wash)

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp butter

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper


Instructions

1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear the chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until golden. Remove and cool completely.

3. In the same pan, melt butter and sauté the mushrooms, shallot, and garlic until all moisture evaporates and mixture becomes paste-like.

4. Stir in thyme, season, and allow the mixture to cool fully.

5. On plastic wrap, layer prosciutto slices slightly overlapping. Spread the mushroom mixture evenly on top.

6. Place the cooled chicken breast in the center, brush with Dijon mustard, and wrap it tightly. Chill for 15 minutes.

7. Roll out the puff pastry sheet and place the wrapped chicken in the center. Fold and seal the pastry with water.

8. Flip seam-side down onto a baking sheet and chill another 10 minutes.

9. Brush with egg yolk, score gently for design if desired.

10. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25–30 minutes until the pastry is golden brown.

11. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

This recipe can be prepped ahead and baked just before serving.

Use all-butter puff pastry for richer flavor and better flakiness.

Ensure mushroom mixture is dry before layering to avoid soggy pastry.

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: British, American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken wellington portion
  • Calories: 530
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 620mg
  • Fat: 33g
  • Saturated Fat: 13g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 34g
  • Cholesterol: 145mg

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