Are you a fan of homemade cuisine? Do you particularly like pies and want an alternative tasty suggestion? In the following lines, you will find an extremely delicious recipe that everyone can make on their own, without being an expert in the kitchen.
Pies and pastries are among the most demanding in the kitchen, without this meaning that they are difficult to achieve! And what better than a pie made by your own hands? A pie might be considered a nuisance, but, if nothing else, nowadays the only thing missing is time. So let’s use it in something creative and stress-free since cooking is proven to relieve anxiety.
Why Prepare a Mushroom and Chicken Pie?
Mushroom and chicken pies are an ideal choice for breakfast and dinner, or as an accompaniment to a festive buffet. Rich in flavor with a variety of ingredients: mushrooms, chicken, bacon, garlic, and cheddar, they give unique pleasures to your palate. This traditional recipe can be prepared with puff pastry and take off your Sunday breakfast.
Why Choose A Puff Pastry?
This is a polymorphic choice; it can evolve into whatever we have dreamed of. It is a “convenient” pastry dough, which can embrace any of our ingredients while transforming them into a delicious pie for any time of the day. Its secret lies in the butter which is used in abundance during its preparation and gives it this characteristic, wonderful buttery taste.
But what makes a puff pastry airy and fluffy? The way it is made, with the butter being spread in layers in the dough. As the pie is baked, the butter melts while the water evaporates and leads to the separation of the layers of puff pastry dough, which gives it this characteristic look, texture, and taste.
Advantages Of Chicken and Mushroom Pie
Mushrooms
Whether you like mushrooms or not, you have to admit that they give a special flavor to each dish. In this case, combined with cheddar and bacon will take off your pie and you will certainly not regret it. In addition to their wonderful taste, they are extremely beneficial to your health, as they are a completely lean source of protein.
Mushrooms are highly recommended both for those who follow a Mediterranean diet and for those who follow a vegetarian diet. They are a rich source of protein with low carbohydrate content and are completely free of fat. This is the reason why they are considered the appropriate meat substitute in low-calorie diets while maintaining a high nutritional value.
Bacon
What can one say about bacon? It is a category of enjoyment in itself. It fits almost everything, so if you love it do not worry about whether to add it or not to your dish. Just experiment and you will not lose.
Puff pastry
The mushroom pie can be made with any pastry you prefer. If you do not have the time or inclination to get involved with the traditional pastry dough, you can prepare it using the classic puff pastry and you will surely be compensated.
Homemade béchamel
Mushroom pie without cream is food without salt! If you think it’s hard to make, you simply delude yourself! Avoid buying ready-made canned cream because it has nothing to do with the homemade version. So spend 5 minutes more and feel this unique pleasure on your palate. It is worth the try!
Chicken and Mushroom Pie – The Recipe
Preparation Time: 25 MINUTES
Cooking Time: 25 MINUTES
Total Time: 50 MINUTES
Servings: 9 SERVINGS
Ingredients
- 3 thawed puff pastry sheets
- 12-ounce sliced mushrooms
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 6 chopped boiled bacon strips
- 4.5 cups chopped chicken
- 3 teaspoons chopped garlic
- 1.5 whisked egg
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese
Homemade béchamel
- 9 tablespoons butter
- 4.5 tablespoons flour
- 1.5 cups milk
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Having gathered the ingredients for the recipe before proceeding with the preparation of the pie, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Celsius. Then, select the appropriate baking tray (preferably round in shape, to give it a more traditional touch). Grease or butter the baking tray and spread the first puff pastry sheet on its base.
Preparing the béchamel
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan.
- Add the flour and mix.
- Add the chicken broth and milk and stir for a few minutes until the cream starts to thicken.
- Turn off the heat, add the herbs and leave the mixture to cool.
Preparation of the chicken and mushroom pie
- Melt the butter in a deep frying pan.
- Add the mushrooms, garlic, and sauté for a few minutes until golden brown.
- Then add the bacon and chicken and sauté for another minute.
- At this point you can pour into the mixture the cheddar and the cream that you made in a previous stage.
- Stir to homogenize the mixture and spread the mixture evenly on the puff pastry sheet of the base of the pan.
- Cover the pie with the second puff pastry sheet.
- Seal your pie around the perimeter, joining the two puff pastry sheets.
- Butter the pie and spread an egg yolk on the top puff pastry sheet with a brush.
- Lightly shape the pie and bake for 25 minutes, on the lower grill, until golden brown and puffed enough.
- Allow cooling slightly before serving, so that the pieces do not dissolve.
Alternative variations
If you do not like cheddar do not get disappointed! This pie is not forbidden for you! You can simply replace it with some other hard or smoked cheese, or the famous gruyere. If you wish to add a ton of vegetables to your pie, you can enhance it with carrot, pea, lentils, or corn. For those whose time is measured and the preparation of béchamel seems to be a utopia, a ready-made cream of chicken or mushroom soup is an ideal option.
Vegetable pies can take off with the right use of spices and herbs. In this case, a little basil, rosemary, or thyme are suitable. Alternatively, add a ready-made mixture of Italian spices, but always in moderation. As for the bacon, it can be replaced with a turkey equivalent. Avoid pork. If you do not like any of them just skip it.
Maintenance – Storage
This fantastic mushroom and chicken pie can be stored for 4 days in the refrigerator, preferably covered with cling film or sealed in an airtight container. Alternatively, you can cut it into individual portions and store it in the freezer for 2 months approximately. It will be a delicious snack on some difficult days, where haute cuisine is a luxury.
We wish you good cooking attempts! Bon Appetit!
