Heidemarie's Homemade Chicken Pies
Recipe Images
Ingredients
(Pastry)
1 lb. plain flour
7 oz. lard
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. salt
(Filling)
4-5 chicken breasts, cut in smaller strips
1 onion, chopped
1 sweet pepper, chopped
2 canned pineapple rings, chopped (optional)
1 pkg. mushroom sauce mix
salt and pepper to taste
Delicious chicken pies that can easily be made in advance and frozen. Perfect for those rainy days when you don't have the time to cook.
Directions
(Pastry)
In a medium saucepan, bring the milk, water and lard to a boil. Allow to cool for a few minutes.
Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Make a well in the center.
Pour the milk mixture into the flour, and knead well, incorporating more and more of the flour as you go, until all the flour is used.
Knead the pastry dough on a well floured table, until the dough is smooth and stretchy.
Shape the pastry into a ball, cover well, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
(Filling)
Fry the onions, sweet peppers and chicken in a little oil, till browned.
Add salt, pepper and pineapple pieces (optional), and enough water to simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the mushroom sauce, and more water if needed. Add water sparingly, as you don't want a runny mess when making individual pies.
Simmer for 3-5 more minutes. Allow to cool.
(Making the Pies)
Preheat the oven to 400 F.
Roll out the dough so it is 1/8 inch thick. Cut out the pastry for either 1 large pie, double crusted, or for multiple smaller individual pies.
LARGE PIE: Line the bottom of a well greased pie dish with one layer of pie pastry. Fill with the chicken. Place the second piece of pastry over the top. Pinch the edges together and make a hole in the center of the pie.
INDIVIDUAL PIES: Take small circles of pastry, and place a small amount of filling in the centre. Carefully fold the pastry over, and pinch the edges well. Place on a greased baking sheet.
ALL PIES: Brush the top of the pies with beaten egg or melted butter.
Bake the large pie or the individual pies for 40-60 minutes, until well browned.
Serve with fries and salads.
Additional Notes
These pies freeze well. Freeze on a baking sheet, well separated. Once frozen, place into a freezer bag. Freeze up to 3 months.
Bake from frozen or thawed, but increase the baking time for frozen pies.
