Country-style chicken pies

1. Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Finely chop the shallots, carrots, and celery. Slice the mushrooms, dice the chicken breasts, and chop the bacon strips. Mince the garlic.

2. Cook the Filling:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon bits and set them aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
- Add the shallots, garlic, carrots, and celery to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables start to soften.
- Add the mushrooms and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Push the vegetables to the edges of the skillet and add the diced chicken to the center. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the flour and cook for another 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.

3. Deglaze and Simmer:
- Pour in the red wine, canned tomatoes (including liquid), bay leaves, and fresh thyme. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the mixture thickens and the flavors meld together.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

4. Prepare the Pastry:
- Roll out the puff pastry sheets on a floured surface to your desired thickness, ensuring they are large enough to cover your pie dishes with a bit of overhang.
- Cut the pastry into circles or shapes as needed to fit your pie dishes. Reserve some extra pastry to use as lids for the pies.

5. Assemble the Pies:
- Ladle the cooled chicken filling into individual pie dishes or a large pie dish, dividing it evenly.
- Place the pastry sheets over the filling, pressing the edges to seal. Trim any excess pastry.
- If desired, use a fork to crimp the edges and create a decorative pattern.

6. Egg Wash and Bake:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and milk to create an egg wash.
- Brush the tops of the pies with the egg wash to ensure a golden, shiny crust.

7. Bake:
- Place the pies in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crispy.

8. Serve:
- Allow the pies to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your delicious country-style chicken pies with a side salad or your favorite vegetables.