A Classic Chicken Pie Recipe: Simple, Delicious, and Guaranteed to Impress
This recipe will guide you through making a delicious and comforting chicken pie, perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion. We'll cover everything from preparing the filling to creating a flaky, golden crust. Get ready to enjoy a truly satisfying meal!
Ingredients:
For the Chicken Filling:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 cup frozen corn
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- ½ cup cold vegetable shortening, cut into cubes
- 6-8 tbsp ice water
Instructions:
Making the Chicken Filling:
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Cook Chicken: Add chicken to the skillet and cook until browned. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Make the Sauce: Sprinkle flour over the chicken and vegetables. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in chicken broth until smooth.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce heat, and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Add Vegetables and Seasoning: Stir in peas, corn, thyme, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Making the Crust:
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour and salt in a large bowl.
- Cut in Fats: Cut in cold butter and shortening using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Water: Gradually add ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
- Chill: Form the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Assembling and Baking the Chicken Pie:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out half of the dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate.
- Add Filling: Pour the cooled chicken filling into the pie crust.
- Top Crust: Roll out the remaining dough and either place it over the filling or cut it into strips for a lattice top. Crimp the edges to seal. Cut slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool: Let the pie cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving.
Tips for the Perfect Chicken Pie:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the taste!
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing will make the crust tough.
- Chill the dough thoroughly: This helps prevent shrinkage during baking.
- Use a pie shield or aluminum foil: This will prevent the edges of the crust from burning.
- Serve warm: Enjoy your delicious chicken pie while it's still hot and bubbly!
This recipe provides a foundation; feel free to experiment with different vegetables or herbs to create your own unique version! Enjoy!