Chicken With Pastry
A hearty chicken and pastry dish featuring tender chicken chunks topped with a flaky crust, perfect for comforting family dinners and gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place the chicken in 3 cups of water with the onion, celery, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
- Cook until tender over medium heat.
- Remove the chicken from the broth and debone it.
- Cut the chicken into large chunks and place in the bottom of a greased 9 x 12-inch baking dish.
- Prepare a pastry dough with 2 cups of all-purpose flour and additional ingredients as needed.
- Cover the chicken with the pastry and seal the edges.
- Bake until the pastry is golden brown.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding herbs like thyme or rosemary to the chicken broth. If you don't have celery, leeks or carrots can be good substitutes. For a shortcut, you can use pre-made pastry dough instead of making your own from 2 cups of all-purpose flour. This dish is similar to American recipes that utilize pastry to encase meats.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Chicken With Pastry hot, accompanied by a side salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal. Mashed potatoes or a light coleslaw would also complement this dish well. It pairs beautifully with Easy Spinach Soup for a comforting dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken and pastry in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through. This will help maintain the pastry's crispness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken With Pastry contains roughly 210 calories, with 1g protein, 9g carbohydrates, and 19g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1294mg per serving (56% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use leftover chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Using leftover chicken not only saves time but adds convenience. Just ensure the chicken is shredded into bite-sized pieces before layering it in the baking dish. This is a great way to reinvent leftovers and minimize waste.
What can I do if the pastry doesn't rise well?
If your pastry isn't rising as expected, it might be due to overworking the dough or the baking powder being old. Make sure to handle the dough gently and check the expiration date of any leavening agents. For a flakier result, try chilling the dough before baking.
Is there a vegetarian version of this dish?
Yes! You can substitute the chicken with a variety of vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers. Use vegetable broth in place of chicken broth and follow the same cooking method. This vegetarian twist still captures the essence of a comforting pastry dish.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).