Description
Chicken, ham, and leek pie offers satisfying flavors wrapped in flaky pastry. The creamy filling combines familiar ingredients for a dependable meal that feels both homey and special.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless chicken
- 2 leeks
Dairy and Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup cream
- 1 egg
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- Salt and pepper
Baking and Filling Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 puff pastry sheet
Instructions
- Roast chicken breasts at 180°C for 25-30 minutes until fully cooked, then carefully shred using two forks into tender, bite-sized pieces.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat and gently sauté sliced leeks with fresh thyme until they become soft and translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour over the leek mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth base, then gradually pour in chicken broth and cream while whisking to prevent lumps.
- Add Dijon mustard to the sauce, continuing to stir until the mixture thickens and develops a rich, creamy consistency.
- Fold the shredded chicken into the leek sauce, ensuring even distribution, then allow the filling to cool and set for 10-15 minutes.
- Lightly grease a pie dish and spoon in the cooled chicken and leek mixture.
- Drape pastry over the filling, trimming excess edges and creating decorative crimped borders to seal the pie.
- Brush the pastry surface with beaten egg to achieve a golden, glossy finish.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for 45-50 minutes, or until the pastry turns a deep golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Notes
- Roasting chicken ahead of time allows deeper flavor development and ensures tender meat for the pie filling.
- Use low-fat cream or milk alternatives for a lighter version that still maintains rich, creamy texture.
- Consider adding sharp cheddar or gruyere cheese to the filling for extra depth and complexity of flavor.
- Vegetarian adaptation works perfectly by replacing chicken with roasted mushrooms or plant-based protein alternatives like tofu or jackfruit.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 50-60 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 395 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg