Chicken and Mushroom Pasties: A Deliciously Easy Recipe

Are you craving a savory, comforting treat that's both delicious and easy to make? Look no further than these delightful chicken and mushroom pasties! This recipe provides a step-by-step guide to creating perfectly golden, flaky pastries filled with a succulent mixture of chicken, mushrooms, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a satisfying lunch, or even a delightful picnic, these pasties are sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients You'll Need:

This recipe yields approximately 6 pasties. Adjust quantities as needed.

For the Pastry:

• 300g ready-made shortcrust pastry (or your favorite homemade recipe!)
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

For the Filling:

• 200g cooked chicken breast, diced (rotisserie chicken works perfectly!)
• 200g mushrooms, sliced (cremini or button mushrooms are ideal)
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons plain flour
• 200ml chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Preparing the Filling:

1. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Cook the Mushrooms: Add the sliced mushrooms to the pan and cook until they release their moisture and begin to brown, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Make the Sauce: Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in the chicken stock until the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Add the Chicken and Seasoning: Add the diced chicken, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper to the pan. Stir well to combine and cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through. Remove from heat and let the filling cool slightly.

Assembling and Baking the Pasties:

1. Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/Gas Mark 6).
2. Roll out the pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry to about 3mm thickness.
3. Cut out circles: Use a 10cm cookie cutter or a knife to cut out circles of pastry.
4. Fill the pasties: Spoon a generous amount of the chicken and mushroom filling onto one half of each pastry circle.
5. Seal the pasties: Brush the edges of the pastry with beaten egg. Fold the other half of the pastry over the filling to form a half-moon shape and crimp the edges firmly to seal. Use a fork to create a decorative edge if desired.
6. Egg wash: Brush the tops of the pasties with the remaining beaten egg for a golden finish.
7. Bake: Place the pasties on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is heated through.

Serving Suggestions:

These chicken and mushroom pasties are delicious served warm or at room temperature. They're perfect on their own or alongside a fresh salad. A side of creamy mashed potatoes or a simple green salad complements the savory filling beautifully.

Tips for Success:

• Use good quality pastry: Ready-made pastry works well, but homemade pastry will elevate the taste.
• Don't overfill the pasties: Overfilling can cause them to leak during baking.
• Crimp the edges well: This ensures the filling stays inside and prevents the pasties from opening during baking.
• Keep an eye on them in the oven: Baking times may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them to prevent burning.

Enjoy your homemade chicken and mushroom pasties! They're a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Remember to share your creations and tag us on social media! (Add your social media handles here if applicable)