Louisburg Chicken Pie
Louisburg Chicken Pie is a hearty, comforting dish featuring tender chicken, vegetables, and savory sausage encased in flaky pastry. Rich flavors of sherry, herbs, and a creamy filling make it perfect for family dinners or special occasions craving classic comfort food.
Ingredients
- 2 lb. chicken breast or turkey breast portion ⓘ
- 3 medium onions, chopped ⓘ
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 6 black peppercorns ⓘ
- 3 c. water ⓘ
- 1 lb. pork sausage, crumbled, cooked and drained
- 2 c. cooked, cubed potatoes ⓘ
- 2 c. sliced, fresh mushrooms, cooked and drained ⓘ
- 1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen peas and carrots, thawed ⓘ
- 1 tsp. minced garlic ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. dried thyme, crushed ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
- 1/2 c. dry sherry ⓘ
- Pastry for 2 crust pie ⓘ
- 1 egg, beaten ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine chicken or turkey with chopped onions, celery, black peppercorns, and water.
- Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes or until poultry is tender.
- Remove poultry from stock and set aside.
- Strain the stock and set aside to cool, about 3 cups.
- Discard the onions, celery, and peppercorns.
- Skin and debone the poultry, then cut into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook and crumble the pork sausage, then drain excess fat.
- Mix cooked sausage with cooked, cubed potatoes, cooked mushrooms, thawed peas and carrots, minced garlic, dried rosemary, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
- In a saucepan, stir in the flour and gradually add the cooled stock, cooking until thickened.
- Add the cooked sherry to the mixture and combine well.
- Preheat oven and line a pie dish with pastry for the bottom crust.
- Pour the filling into the pastry-lined pie dish.
- Cover with the second pastry crust, trim and seal edges.
- Brush the top with beaten egg for a golden finish.
- Bake in a preheated oven until the crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly, about 45-50 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using homemade stock instead of water when cooking the chicken or turkey. You can substitute the pork sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner option. If you want to add a bit of heat, include a pinch of red pepper flakes. This dish is reminiscent of Chicken A La King Casserole, making it a comforting choice for family meals.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Louisburg Chicken Pie with a side of mixed greens or a light salad for a refreshing contrast. It pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes or steamed vegetables for a hearty meal. This dish can also be enjoyed with a glass of dry sherry to complement the flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the pie for about 25-30 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual slices, but the crust may not retain its crispiness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Louisburg Chicken Pie contains roughly 1649 calories, with 31g protein, 259g carbohydrates, and 54g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (158% of the Daily Value), potassium (73% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (65% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1640mg per serving (71% 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! Leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken works wonderfully in this pie. Just skip the initial cooking step and shred the chicken, mixing it in with the other filling ingredients. This not only saves time but also adds a great depth of flavor.
What can I use instead of sherry?
If you prefer not to use sherry, you can substitute it with white wine or even chicken broth for a non-alcoholic option. Both will add moisture and flavor to the filling without overpowering the other ingredients.
Can I make this pie ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the pie ahead of time. Assembled but unbaked, it can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours. For longer storage, consider freezing it before baking. Just ensure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and bake directly from the freezer when ready.
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).