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Tom Kerridge’s Roast Chicken & Leek Pie is a hearty and comforting dish that features tender chicken, leeks, lardons, and peas, all enveloped in a rich mustard sauce and topped with a golden, crispy puff pastry. This pie is perfect for family dinners and special occasions, offering both delicious flavor and an inviting, rustic appeal. With easy-to-follow steps, it’s a dish sure to impress any guest.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

70g butter
150g smoked bacon lardons
2 leeks, cut into thick rounds
100ml dry white wine
50g plain flour
250ml whole milk
250ml chicken stock
2 tbsp double cream
1½ tbsp wholegrain mustard
500g boneless cooked roast chicken, cut into 2-3cm pieces
100g frozen peas
2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
320g ready-rolled all-butter puff pastry
1 free-range egg, lightly beaten (for glazing)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

Cook the Lardons and Leeks:
- Melt 20g of the butter in a large frying pan over medium/high heat. Add the lardons and cook for about 5 minutes until they start to caramelize.
- Add the leeks and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Pour in the wine and allow it to reduce completely. Set aside to cool.
Make the Sauce:
- In a large saucepan, melt the remaining 50g butter over medium-low heat. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring, to make a roux.
- Slowly add the milk and chicken stock, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue stirring for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cream, mustard, and the sautéed chicken and leek mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Let it cool, then mix in peas and parsley.
Assemble the Pie:
- Spoon the cooled filling into a pie dish (about 28x18cm and 5cm deep).
- Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface, making it 5cm larger than the pie dish. Brush the edges of the dish with the beaten egg.
- Place the pastry over the pie, pressing the edges to seal. Brush the top with the remaining beaten egg and make a small hole in the middle to allow steam to escape.
Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas 6. Place the pie in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.
- Bake the pie for 40 minutes or until the pastry is golden and crisp. Let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrients (per serving)

Calories: 620 kcal
Fat: 40g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 38g
Sodium: 920mg
Fiber: 2g

A Hearty and Flavorful Comfort Dish

Roast Chicken & Leek Pie is the epitome of comfort food. The flavors of roasted chicken, smoky bacon lardons, and leeks create a savory, satisfying filling that is rich without being overwhelming. The addition of mustard to the sauce provides a delightful tang, while the creamy texture of the sauce brings everything together in perfect harmony. This dish is ideal for anyone seeking a meal that combines the warmth and richness of traditional comfort food with the finesse of a well-crafted pie.

The combination of tender chicken and the subtle sweetness of leeks creates a dish that is both hearty and flavorful. The lardons, with their smoky and crispy texture, add another layer of flavor, making the filling even more savory. With the addition of peas for a pop of color and freshness, this pie becomes a well-rounded meal that can easily stand on its own.

The Role of Puff Pastry in the Pie

The puff pastry topping of this pie is not just an afterthought; it is a crucial part of the overall experience. The buttery, flaky layers of puff pastry provide the perfect contrast to the creamy, savory filling beneath. As the pie bakes, the pastry becomes golden brown and crisp, forming a delicious, crispy crust that holds the filling in place while adding a satisfying texture.

Puff pastry is known for its ability to create a light and airy texture that contrasts beautifully with a rich and creamy filling. The layers of butter in the pastry create a melt-in-your-mouth experience, making each bite of the pie a delight. When paired with the flavorful filling, the puff pastry brings the dish together and enhances its overall appeal. This combination of tender filling and crisp pastry is what makes Roast Chicken & Leek Pie such a beloved dish.

The Secret to the Mustard Sauce

The sauce in this Roast Chicken & Leek Pie is what truly brings everything together. A rich mustard sauce made from chicken stock, milk, and cream provides a velvety, smooth base for the chicken, leeks, and bacon. The addition of wholegrain mustard adds a slight tang and a subtle spiciness that perfectly complements the creaminess of the sauce. Mustard in savory dishes adds depth and complexity, balancing out the richness of the other ingredients and elevating the overall flavor profile of the pie.

The mustard sauce is also key to the texture of the filling. It binds together the chicken, leeks, and peas, ensuring that each bite is full of flavor and creaminess. The richness of the sauce, combined with the mustard’s tang, adds an extra layer of depth to the dish, making it more than just your average chicken pie. This well-seasoned sauce makes every bite a flavorful experience, making the pie both comforting and sophisticated.

The Importance of Cooking Techniques

Several cooking techniques are involved in creating the perfect Roast Chicken & Leek Pie, and each one contributes to the overall flavor and texture of the dish. The first step in this process is the sautéing of the lardons and leeks. The lardons are cooked until they begin to caramelize, releasing their smoky, savory flavors into the pan. Adding the leeks allows them to soften and absorb the flavors of the bacon, creating a delicious base for the filling.

Once the lardons and leeks have been cooked, the wine is added to deglaze the pan. The wine helps lift the caramelized bits off the bottom of the pan, creating a deeper, richer flavor. As the wine reduces, it intensifies the savory notes, setting the stage for the creamy sauce that will be added later. This technique ensures that the flavors meld together and creates a filling that is rich and full of depth.

The next important technique is the preparation of the sauce. A roux is made by cooking butter and flour together, forming a thick base that will later be combined with chicken stock and milk to create a smooth, creamy sauce. The addition of cream and mustard rounds out the sauce, giving it the perfect balance of richness and tang. This sauce is the glue that binds the pie together, and its flavor is key to the overall success of the dish.

A Perfect Family Dinner or Special Occasion Dish

Roast Chicken & Leek Pie is an excellent choice for both casual family dinners and more formal occasions. Its comforting, hearty nature makes it a perfect weeknight meal, while its rich flavors and elegant presentation make it a great option for special occasions such as birthdays, holidays, or dinner parties. The combination of tender chicken, smoky bacon, creamy mustard sauce, and crispy puff pastry is sure to impress guests and provide a satisfying meal for everyone at the table.

The dish is also versatile in terms of servings. It can be made in a large pie dish, serving multiple people, or in individual portions for a more formal presentation. This flexibility makes it ideal for a variety of occasions, whether you’re cooking for a family of four or hosting a larger gathering. It pairs well with simple side dishes such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad, making it a complete and balanced meal.

Meal Prep and Leftovers

Roast Chicken & Leek Pie is also a great dish for meal prepping. You can prepare the pie ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days before baking. This makes it an ideal option for busy individuals or families who want to enjoy a homemade meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Simply assemble the pie, store it covered in the fridge, and bake it when you’re ready to serve.

If you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The pie reheats well in the oven, maintaining its crisp pastry and creamy filling. The flavors also have time to meld further, making the leftovers just as delicious, if not more so, than the freshly baked pie.

Nutritional Information and Adjustments

While Roast Chicken & Leek Pie is undeniably indulgent, it offers a good balance of protein, healthy fats, and vegetables. The chicken provides a lean source of protein, while the leeks and peas contribute fiber and important nutrients. The puff pastry adds a fair amount of calories and fat, but it also contributes to the comforting, satisfying nature of the dish. For those looking to lighten the dish, you can use a lower-fat pastry or adjust the amount of cream used in the sauce. You could also substitute some of the cream with milk for a less rich sauce while maintaining its creamy texture.

Conclusion

Tom Kerridge’s Roast Chicken & Leek Pie is a comforting, flavorful, and indulgent dish that is perfect for family dinners or special occasions. With its rich mustard sauce, tender chicken, smoky bacon, and golden puff pastry, this pie is sure to satisfy even the hungriest appetites. The combination of simple ingredients and expert cooking techniques creates a dish that is both hearty and sophisticated, making it a go-to recipe for anyone looking to impress their guests or simply enjoy a delicious meal at home. Whether you’re serving it for a special celebration or a weeknight dinner, this Roast Chicken & Leek Pie will always be a hit.

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