Ingredients
- 4½ pounds whole chicken, preferably free-range
- Small bunch fresh thyme
- 1 lemon, pierced with a skewer
- 4 bay leaves
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 large onion, halved and sliced
- 2 cups mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
- 2 cups leeks, trimmed and sliced
- 5 cups chicken stock (preferably homemade)
- 1½ cups cooked turkey or chicken strips
- 1 cup green peas, thawed if frozen
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 large egg yolk
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 sticks (1 cup) cold unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 9–10 tablespoons ice-cold water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat chicken dry and stuff with thyme, lemon, and bay leaves. Rub with butter and roast over a bed of onions until golden and tender.
- For the pastry, grate frozen butter into flour and salt. Mix with ice-cold water until a soft dough forms. Chill for at least 1 hour.
- Sauté leeks and mushrooms in butter until golden. Let cool.
- Remove chicken meat and simmer bones and herbs in stock for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid.
- Whisk flour into the roasting pan drippings, gradually add stock, and cook until thickened. Stir in cream and season. Pour over chicken, mushrooms, leeks, peas, and parsley. Chill completely.
- Roll out two-thirds of the pastry and line a buttered pie dish. Spoon in filling. Brush edges with egg yolk, top with remaining pastry, crimp edges, and cut a steam slit.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 50–60 minutes until golden. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use boneless chicken thighs for a quicker version.
- Store-bought puff pastry works well in a pinch.
- Add extra vegetables like carrots or spinach for more variety.
- Make individual pies by dividing filling into ramekins and baking for 30–35 minutes.
- Ensure butter and dough stay cold for the flakiest pastry.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
