John Torode’s warming chicken, mushroom & leek pie is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy the succulent chicken and crisp puff pastry with a dollop of tomato ketchup
Prep:25 mins
Serves 6 – 8
4 large chicken breasts4 skinless boneless chicken thighs2 bay leaves½ small pack thyme½ small pack flat-leaf parsley, leaves and stalks separated2 large onions, chopped1 garlic clove1 chicken stock cube, crumbled750ml milk, plus extra to glaze100g butter3 leeks, chopped300g button mushrooms, halved100g plain flour, plus extra for dusting200ml crème fraîche500g puff pastryketchup, to serve (optional)
STEP 1Put the chicken in a large pan with the bay, half the thyme sprigs, the parsley stalks, onions, garlic, stock and seasoning. Pour the milk over the chicken and, if you need to, top up with water to make sure the chicken is covered. Bring the chicken to the boil, then turn down and simmer for 15 mins. Lift from the liquid and leave to cool.STEP 2Drain the poaching liquid through a sieve into a large jug – you need 650ml to make the sauce for your pie.STEP 3Meanwhile, heat the butter in a saucepan over a low-medium heat. Add the leeks and the mushrooms, and cook for 5-10 mins until soft, then season well. Add the flour and stir to coat the vegetables. Slowly add the poaching liquid, stirring until you have a thick sauce.STEP 4Using two forks, pull the chicken apart into thumb-sized chunks rather than chopping it – I feel you get a far better pie this way. Chop the parsley leaves, then stir into the leeks with the thyme leaves, crème frâiche and chicken. Check the seasoning, then spoon the mixture into your pie dish (or dishes) to cool slightly.STEP 5Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Roll out the pastry on a lightly dusted work surface to the thickness of a £1 coin. Cut thin strips from the edges and use a little water to stick these around the lip of the pie dish, then wet the top of the pastry strip. Lift the pastry on top of the pie, trim the edges and crimp them with your fingers or a fork. Brush the top with milk and cut a steam hole in the middle.STEP 6Put the dish on a baking sheet and cook in the oven for 20-25 mins until the pastry is risen and golden. Some of the filling will have bubbled up through the steam hole. Have a bottle of tomato ketchup on hand to serve, if you like – and be careful, the pie will be hot.
