Savory Chicken and Ham Pie Recipe: Cozy Comfort on a Plate

Rich, golden pastry embraces a hearty chicken and ham pie that speaks directly to comfort food lovers.

Layers of tender meat mingle with creamy sauce inside a flaky crust.

Many people have perfected this classic dish through careful techniques and love.

Warm aromas will drift through your kitchen, promising a meal that feels like a welcoming embrace.

Savory ingredients combine to create something more than just dinner – they craft an experience of pure satisfaction.

Regional traditions inspire each delicious bite, connecting you to culinary heritage.

How To Store James Martin Chicken And Ham Pie Correctly

• Place leftover chicken and ham pie in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Wrap the cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label the package with the date to track storage time.
• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove pie from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent excessive browning and heat for 20-25 minutes until warmed through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the pastry.

FAQs About James Martin Chicken And Ham Pie

• Why use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Chicken thighs have more fat and flavor, making them juicier and more tender compared to leaner chicken breasts. They also hold up better during slow cooking and won’t dry out as easily.

• Can I make the pastry dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the pastry dough up to 2 days in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. This allows the gluten to relax and makes the dough easier to roll out.

• What type of mustard works best in this recipe?

Dijon mustard is recommended as it provides a sharp, tangy flavor that complements the chicken and ham. It adds depth and a subtle kick to the pie’s sauce without overpowering other ingredients.

Why James Martin Chicken And Ham Pie Is So Satisfying

• Master Home Cooking: Create a delicious chicken and ham pie that brings restaurant-quality taste right to your kitchen.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adapt the recipe by adjusting seasonings or swapping meats to suit your family's preferences.
• Impress Without Stress: Craft a show-stopping dish that looks complicated but requires minimal technical cooking skills.
• Crowd-Pleasing Centerpiece: Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or weekend gatherings where you want to serve something special.

Ingredients For James Martin Chicken And Ham Pie

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken Thighs: The primary protein that provides rich, tender meat for the pie filling.
• Ham: Adds a savory and salty flavor to complement the chicken.

• Butter: Creates a rich, flaky texture for the pie crust.
• Flour: Forms the base structure of the pastry dough.
• Egg: Helps bind the pastry and provides a golden finish when brushed on top.

• Olive Oil, Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
• Onion, Garlic: Provide a aromatic and flavorful base for the sauce.
• Fresh Thyme: Adds a subtle herbal note to the pie filling.
• Stock, Milk, Mustard: Create a creamy and flavorful sauce that binds the chicken and ham together.
• Additional Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a consistent texture.

How To Make James Martin Chicken And Ham Pie

Step 1: Prepare Delectable Pastry Dough

Blend butter and flour in a food processor until it looks like fine crumbs. Add egg and cold water, mixing until the dough starts to clump together. Gently knead the pastry on a work surface to combine. Wrap securely in cling film and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Step 2: Perfectly Cook Chicken

Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook chicken for 5 minutes per side until beautifully browned. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.

Step 3: Create Flavorful Sauce Base

In the same skillet, sauté onions in olive oil until soft. Add crushed garlic and fresh thyme, cooking for a minute. Sprinkle in flour, then pour in stock, milk, and mustard. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to the sauce. Simmer for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Assemble Delicious Filling

Let the chicken mixture cool in a baking dish. Stir in chopped ham once cooled.

Step 5: Craft Stunning Pie Topping

Preheat oven to 200C fan/220C/392F convection/428F. Remove pastry from refrigerator. Flour a work surface and roll out pastry to 3-5mm thickness. Optional: create decorative pastry strips.

Step 6: Finish And Bake Pie

Drape pastry over the filling, trimming edges with a sharp knife. Decorate with pastry scraps using beaten egg or milk as glue. Cut steam vents in the top. Brush with beaten egg or milk. Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.

Pro Tips For Flaky James Martin Chicken And Ham Pie

• Work with cold butter and handle the dough minimally to ensure a flaky, tender crust that melts in your mouth.
• Allow the filling to cool completely before adding pastry to maintain a crisp base and prevent a wet, unappetizing texture.
• Slightly undercook chicken initially, as it will continue cooking in the sauce, ensuring juicy, perfectly tender meat without drying out.
• Add chopped ham after cooling to preserve its flavor and prevent it from becoming tough or losing its distinct taste.
• Cut small slits in the pastry top to release steam, preventing the pie from becoming soggy and helping the crust achieve a beautiful golden-brown finish.

Ways To Tweak James Martin Chicken And Ham Pie

• Vegetarian Pot Pie Swap: Replace chicken and ham with mixed roasted vegetables like butternut squash, mushrooms, and bell peppers for a hearty plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Pastry Option: Substitute wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend to create a celiac-friendly pie crust that remains flaky and tender.
• Low-Carb Protein Pie: Use shredded rotisserie chicken and diced turkey ham, then replace traditional pastry with a cauliflower or cheese-based crust for reduced carbohydrate content.
• Mediterranean Flavor Adaptation: Incorporate feta cheese, oregano, and sun-dried tomatoes into the filling for a Greek-inspired chicken pie variation with bold Mediterranean seasonings.

Great Pairings With James Martin Chicken And Ham Pie

• Crisp Chardonnay Pairing: Smooth, buttery white wine complements the rich, creamy sauce and balances the savory chicken and ham flavors with its light oak undertones.
• Tangy Apple Slaw Side: Fresh, crunchy coleslaw with green apple provides a bright, acidic contrast to the hearty pie, cutting through the pastry's richness and adding refreshing texture.
• Roasted Root Vegetable Medley: Caramelized parsnips, carrots, and beetroots offer earthy sweetness that harmonizes with the pie's meaty filling, creating a well-rounded winter comfort meal.

Chicken and Ham Shortcrust Pie Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Chicken and ham pie wraps familiar flavors in a flaky crust, offering a satisfying and balanced meal with a nod to British kitchens.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs
• 125 g ham, roughly chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 2 sprigs of fresh thyme

Pie Crust Ingredients:

• 250 g (8.8 ounces) plain flour
• 125 g (4.4 ounces) butter, roughly chopped
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1–2 tablespoons cold water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Seasoning and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon plain flour
• 200 ml (6.8 fluid ounces) chicken or vegetable stock
• 100 ml (3.4 fluid ounces) milk
• 1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
• salt
• black pepper
• 1 egg beaten (optional for glazing), or milk

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Instructions

1. Combine butter and flour in a food processor until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
2. Add egg and cold water to the dough, mixing until clumps form and adding more water if needed.
3. Gently knead the pastry on a board to bring it together, then wrap in cling film.
4. Refrigerate the pastry for a minimum of 2 hours to firm up.
5. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
6. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook chicken for 5 minutes per side until browned.
7. Lift the chicken out of the pan and set aside.
8. In the same skillet, sauté onions in remaining oil for 5 minutes until softened.
9. Add crushed garlic and fresh thyme, cooking for 1 minute.
10. Sprinkle flour into the pan and stir.
11. Pour in stock, milk, and mustard, creating a smooth sauce.
12. Slice chicken into bite-sized chunks and add to the sauce.
13. Simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the chicken to finish cooking.
14. Let the mixture cool in a 17 x 26cm dish, then fold in chopped ham.
15. Preheat oven to 200°C fan/220°C/392°F.
16. Take the pastry out of the fridge and let it sit for 5 minutes before rolling.
17. Dust a work surface with flour and roll pastry to 3-5mm thickness.
18. Optional: Cut pastry strips and line the dish edges, brushing with beaten egg.
19. Drape pastry over the filling, trimming edges with a sharp knife.
20. Decorate with pastry scraps, securing with beaten egg.
21. Create small steam vents in the pastry top.
22. Brush the entire pie surface with beaten egg or milk.
23. Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown and bubbling around the edges.

Notes

• Chill pastry thoroughly to ensure a flaky, tender crust that doesn’t shrink during baking.
• Cut chicken into consistent bite-sized pieces for even cooking and uniform texture throughout the pie.
• Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and milk to help create a smoother, more cohesive pastry dough.
• Consider substituting ham with smoked turkey or vegetarian protein for dietary variations without compromising flavor complexity.

• Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 406 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg