A Classic Comfort Food: The Ultimate Chicken Pie with Gravy Recipe

Chicken pie, a timeless dish brimming with tender chicken and bathed in a rich, savory gravy, is the epitome of comfort food. This recipe guides you through creating a truly exceptional chicken pie, perfect for a cozy night in or a family gathering. We'll cover everything from making the perfect chicken filling to crafting a flaky, golden crust. Get ready to impress!

Ingredients:

This recipe yields approximately 8 servings. Adjust ingredient quantities as needed for larger or smaller batches.

For the Chicken Filling:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded (or rotisserie chicken)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Crust:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup ice water

Instructions:

Making the Delicious Chicken Filling:

1. Sauté the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Create the Gravy Base: Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux. This will thicken your gravy.
3. Add Broth and Simmer: Gradually whisk in chicken broth until smooth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened slightly.
4. Incorporate Flavor: Stir in heavy cream, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Simmer for another 2 minutes.
5. Add Chicken: Gently fold in the shredded chicken. Remove from heat and set aside.

Creating the Flaky Crust:

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
2. Cut in Butter: Add cold butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add Water: Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix.
4. Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, resulting in a flakier crust.

Assembling and Baking the Chicken Pie:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out half of the dough into a circle large enough to fit a 9-inch pie dish.
3. Transfer to Dish: Carefully transfer the dough to the pie dish. Trim and crimp the edges.
4. Add Filling: Pour the chicken and gravy filling into the pie crust.
5. Top with Crust: Roll out the remaining dough and place it over the filling. Crimp the edges to seal. Cut several slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
6. Bake: Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with foil.
7. Cool and Serve: Let the pie cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

Tips for the Perfect Chicken Pie:

• Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the taste!
• Don't overwork the dough: Overworking the dough will make the crust tough.
• Blind baking (optional): For a crispier bottom crust, consider blind baking the bottom crust for 15 minutes before adding the filling.
• Leftovers: Store leftover chicken pie in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

This recipe provides a delicious and satisfying chicken pie experience. Remember to adjust seasonings to your preference and enjoy the process of creating this classic comfort food masterpiece! Happy baking!