Creamy Chicken and Leek Pie
Recipe Introduction
Fancy a bit of proper comfort food oven recipes ? Ever get that craving for something warm, savoury, and totally satisfying? Well, you're in for a treat! I'm about to share a recipe that’ll knock your socks off! Think creamy chicken, sweet leeks, and a seriously flaky cheddar crust!
A Hug in a Dish
This Creamy Chicken and Leek Pie is like a warm hug on a cold day. Its roots are firmly planted in British cooking, somewhere between a chicken pot pie recipe and a posh pub lunch.
It's hearty, flavourful, and surprisingly simple.
This pie isn't too tricky, it's a medium level of difficulty. It'll take around 45 minutes of prep and another 45 to 50 minutes in the oven.
The total time needed will be around one hour and thirty minutes. It yields 6 generous servings.
Why You'll Love This Pie
Honestly, what isn't there to love? Besides being utterly delicious, this pie packs a decent amount of protein, thanks to the chicken.
It is perfect for a Sunday dinner or special gathering. It is also great on a chilly weeknight. This recipe is special because it combines classic flavours with a cheesy twist.
It is also one of those easy weeknight dinners oven I find myself making again and again.
Right then, let's get down to the ingredients! We need olive oil, boneless chicken thighs, onion, leeks, garlic, all-purpose flour, chicken broth, heavy cream, dry white wine, fresh thyme, salt, pepper and parsley for the chicken filling.
Now, for the cheddar crust, all-purpose flour, salt, cold unsalted butter, grated cheddar cheese, ice water, and one egg.
Ingredients & Equipment: Chicken and Leek Pie Perfection
Right, let's talk ingredients. Honestly, this Creamy Chicken and Leek Pie is all about fresh, quality stuff. It's what makes the comfort food oven recipes so bloody good.
We're aiming for a proper hug in a dish.
Main Ingredients: The Good Stuff
Chicken Filling:
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp (30 ml) , good quality.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: 1.5 lbs (approx. 680g) , cut into 1 inch pieces. Fresh is best!
- Onion: 1 large (approx. 150g) , finely chopped.
- Leeks: 2 large (approx. 300g) , white and light green parts, thinly sliced, properly washed. You don't want grit in your pie!
- Garlic: 2 cloves , minced.
- All-purpose flour: 1/4 cup (30g) .
- Chicken broth: 2 cups (475 ml) .
- Heavy cream: 1 cup (240 ml) .
- Dry white wine (optional): 1/4 cup (60 ml) .
- Fresh thyme: 2 tbsp , chopped.
- Salt and pepper: To taste.
- Fresh parsley (optional): 1/4 cup , chopped, for garnish.
Cheddar Crust:
- All-purpose flour: 2 1/2 cups (300g) , plus extra for dusting.
- Salt: 1 tsp .
- Cold unsalted butter: 1 cup (2 sticks, 226g) , cubed. The colder, the better for flaky pastry.
- Sharp cheddar cheese: 1 cup (115g) , grated, chilled.
- Ice water: 1/2 cup (120 ml) .
- Egg: 1 large , beaten, for egg wash. This gives your crust that gorgeous golden colour.
For the chicken, look for thighs that are plump and pink. For the cheddar in the crust, a good mature cheddar will give you that lovely flavour.
Honestly, good ingredients equal a banging pie. The goal, to create a perfect Chicken pot pie recipe
Seasoning Notes: It's All About Flavour
Thyme and garlic are your best mates here. They give that classic savory taste. White wine adds a bit of depth.
Don't have any? A squeeze of lemon juice will do the trick. It can really help to bake some Baked Boneless Pork Chops .
Equipment Needed: Keep it Simple
- Large oven safe skillet or Dutch oven (12 inch). This is crucial for this oven recipes as baked pork chops oven are one pan wonders!.
- Mixing bowl.
- Rolling pin.
- Pastry brush.
Don't have a rolling pin? A clean wine bottle will do. See, cooking doesn't have to be fancy! When in doubt you can get creative with easy weeknight dinners oven , and easy baked pork chops .
Creamy Chicken and Leek Pie: A Hug in a Dish
Honestly, nothing beats a good pie on a cold evening. This Creamy Chicken and Leek Pie is proper comfort food oven recipes , guaranteed to warm you from the inside out.
This dish brings a rustic charm with it! We're talking tender chicken, sweet leeks, and a cheesy, flaky crust that'll have everyone fighting for seconds.
Prep Steps: Mise en Place Mania
First things first: prep is key. Chop your onion and leeks. Give those leeks a proper wash! Then cube the chicken.
Grate your cheddar cheese. Getting everything ready beforehand makes the whole process way smoother. Trust me. It's essential mise en place and your future self will thank you.
A stat says that people who do their prep early tend to have 70% less stress in the kitchen.
From Oven to Table: The step-by-step
Right, let's get cracking!
- Make the dough: Mix flour, salt, and cold, cubed butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in cheddar, add ice water until it just comes together. Chill for 30 minutes .
- Sauté the veggies: In a skillet, soften onion and leeks over medium heat for 5- 7 minutes . Add garlic for the last minute.
- Brown the chicken: Add chicken to the skillet and brown on all sides.
- Make the sauce: Sprinkle flour, then whisk in chicken broth and white wine if you're feeling fancy. Simmer.
- Simmer and Thicken: Reduce heat, stir in cream and thyme. Simmer 10- 15 minutes until thickened.
- Roll the dough: Roll out chilled dough to a circle slightly larger than your skillet.
- Top it and Bake: Place the dough over the filling, pressing the edges. Cut slits for steam and brush with egg wash.
- Bake! Bake at 400° F ( 200° C) for 45- 50 minutes , until golden and bubbly. It will give the perfect baked pork chops oven experience.
Pro Tips for Pie Perfection
Cold butter is crucial for a flaky crust! Seriously, don't skip that step. Don't overwork the dough. Mix it until it just comes together.
You can make the filling a day ahead. Honestly, it tastes even better that way. Also, try to make some easy baked pork chops .
This Creamy Chicken and Leek Pie is the perfect dish for a Sunday roast recipes alternative or a comforting easy weeknight dinners oven option.
It's proper British comfort food oven recipes that's sure to impress, especially if it gets paired with some boneless pork chop recipes .
And who knows? Maybe you’ll even create your own family tradition with this dish.
Enjoy this Creamy Chicken and Leek Pie. Let me know how it goes!
Recipe Notes for Your Creamy Chicken and Leek Pie
Right then, before you dive into this amazing chicken pot pie recipe, let's have a quick chat. These notes will help you ace this comfort food oven recipes , promise! I've baked this pie more times than I can count.
Honestly, it's a family favourite.
Serving Suggestions: Pie Perfection!
Presentation is key, innit? For plating, think rustic. A dollop of creamy mash on the side. Or, serve it straight from the skillet for that proper homely vibe.
For drinks, a crisp, dry cider is spot on. It really cuts through the richness of the pie. Alternatively, go for a light white wine.
A chilled glass of Chardonnay will do the trick. Don't forget a side! A simple green salad is ideal.
Storage Tips: Keepin' It Fresh
Got leftovers? No worries! This pie is great the next day. Once cooled, wrap it well and stick it in the fridge.
It'll keep for 3 days, max . For reheating, pop it back in the oven at 350° F ( 175° C) until warmed through.
You can also microwave it. But honestly, the oven is much better. Freezing isn't really recommended. The pastry can get a bit soggy.
Variations: Make It Your Own
Fancy a change? You can easily tweak this boneless pork chop recipes pie. For a dietary swap, use gluten-free flour for the crust.
Works a treat! If you fancy a vegetarian option , use mushrooms instead of chicken. They add a lovely earthy flavour.
Seasonally, you could swap the leeks for asparagus in spring. Mmm, delicious! Another thing, you can add bacon bits into the filling for a smoky taste!
Nutrition Basics: Goodness Inside
Okay, so this pie isn't exactly a health food. Let's be real. But it does have some good stuff! Chicken is a great source of protein.
And leeks provide some fibre. Remember those estimated values? Each serving has around 650-750 calories. There's also 35-40g of protein and 40-50g of fat.
This pie is a hug in a dish. It makes you feel happy. That's important too, right? I remember one time trying to make easy baked pork chops .
I tried to add them to the filling but it came out wrong.
So there you have it, my friend! A few extra tips to make your Creamy Chicken and Leek Pie absolutely brilliant.
Get ready for some serious oven recipes success! Now, go and bake something amazing! This easy weeknight dinners oven is the perfect choice! And if you want to bring it to the next level think about using these sunday roast recipes tips!
Frequently Asked Questions
My pie crust is always tough. What am I doing wrong?
Ah, the dreaded tough pie crust! The most common culprit is overworking the dough. Be gentle when mixing, and don't add more water than needed just enough for it to come together. Also, make sure your butter is properly chilled, as that will prevent it from melting into the flour and causing a tough texture.
Can I make this chicken and leek pie ahead of time?
Absolutely! The chicken filling can be made a day in advance, and stored in the fridge. In fact, some people reckon the flavours develop even better overnight! Just be sure to let it cool completely before refrigerating, and then reheat it slightly before assembling the pie.
If you are using this as one of your go-to oven recipes, it will cut the prep time down on those busy weeknights.
What can I substitute for the white wine in the filling? I don't have any open.
No worries, mate! If you're fresh out of white wine, you can easily substitute it with an equal amount of chicken broth mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or white wine vinegar. This will add a touch of acidity to balance the richness of the cream and complement the savoury flavour.
My pie crust is browning too quickly in the oven. What should I do?
That's a simple fix! If your cheddar crust is getting a bit too toasty before the filling is heated through, loosely tent the pie with a piece of aluminum foil. This will shield the crust from direct heat and allow the filling to finish cooking without burning the top.
Keep an eye on it and remove the foil for the last 10-15 minutes if you want a bit more colour.
Can I freeze this chicken and leek pie?
You sure can. To freeze, let the baked pie cool completely. Then wrap it tightly in a layer of plastic wrap followed by foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you're ready to serve, bake from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for about 45-60 minutes, or until heated through.
You may need to tent it with foil if the crust starts to brown too much.
I'm looking for easy oven recipes. Any suggestions?
If you are looking for alternative easy oven recipes, you could try a quick and easy tray bake. Toss some sausages, root vegetables, and herbs with olive oil and roast until tender.
A simple pasta bake is another great choice just combine cooked pasta with your favorite sauce, cheese, and any protein or vegetables you like, then bake until bubbly and golden brown.
Creamy Chicken And Leek Pie
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 700 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 45g |
| Fiber | 3g |
