Fancy Chicken Puff Pie
A rich and savory chicken puff pie with tender chicken, ham, asparagus, and a creamy sauce, all encased in flaky pastry. Perfect for a comforting dinner or special occasion, this dish combines hearty flavors with elegant presentation, appealing to both family and guests alike.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped shallots ⓘ
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 cup chicken stock or broth ⓘ
- 1/4 cup sherry ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon white pepper ⓘ
- pinch ground nutmeg ⓘ
- 1/4 pound ham, cut into 2 x 1/4-inch strips ⓘ
- 3 cups cooked chicken, cut into 2 x 1/4-inch strips ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups fresh asparagus or 10 oz. frozen
- 1 cup heavy cream ⓘ
- Chilled pie crust for 1 crust pie or frozen puff pastry ⓘ
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and sauté shallots lightly.
- Stir in flour and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add chicken stock or broth and sherry, then bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Season with salt, white pepper, and ground nutmeg, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stir in ham, cooked chicken, asparagus, and heavy cream.
- Pour the chicken mixture into an ungreased 9-inch pie pan.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Cut an 8-inch circle from the pie crust or puff pastry.
- Place the circle on a cookie sheet and moisten with cold water.
- Pierce the crust with a fork and brush with beaten egg.
- Cut out decorative hearts from extra dough, brush with egg, and arrange on the crust as desired.
- Bake the crust and pie for 10 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes until pastry is golden brown and filling is hot and set.
- Use a spatula to place the pastry over the hot filling and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, consider substituting half of the heavy cream with low-fat milk or a dairy-free alternative. If you don't have sherry, white wine or apple cider vinegar can work as substitutes. Fresh asparagus can be replaced with green beans or peas, and for added flavor, consider adding herbs like thyme or parsley. This dish is reminiscent of American recipes that celebrate hearty, comforting flavors.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Fancy Chicken Puff Pie with a light side salad dressed with vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast. It pairs beautifully with Cream Of Broccoli for a complete meal. For a more filling option, consider serving it alongside roasted vegetables or garlic bread. This dish is perfect for gatherings or special occasions.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, allow the pie to cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When reheating, place the pie in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through, to maintain the crispiness of the crust.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Fancy Chicken Puff Pie contains roughly 1741 calories, with 34g protein, 232g carbohydrates, and 84g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (171% of the Daily Value), iron (121% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (93% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 48g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
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 make the filling ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the filling a day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator once cooled, then assemble the pie just before baking. This can save time, especially if you're serving it for guests.
What if I don't have a pie crust?
If you don't have a traditional pie crust, you can use a pre-made puff pastry, which will give your dish a flaky texture. Alternatively, you can make a simple biscuit topping for a different twist.
Can I freeze the chicken puff pie?
Yes, you can freeze the uncooked pie. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze for up to 2 months. To bake, simply remove from the freezer and bake directly from frozen, adding extra baking time as needed.
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).