recipes

One Pan Chicken & Mushroom Pie

January 18

If you want comfort food on a plate you will find it in this pie that instantly evokes all the cosiness of crisp Autumn evenings. It’s a simple creamy chicken & mushroom filling that can be levelled up with the fanciest looking mushrooms you can find and even a splash of marsala for some depth. As it’s a wonderful one to serve to kids, I add spinach and peas and whatever other veggies I have in the fridge chopped finely alongside to up the nutritional value.

Serves 4
1 hour + cooling time

Method

1. Heat half of the oil in a 25-30cm ovenproof frying pan over a medium high heat. Season the chicken and brown all over. Set aside.
2. Add the rest of the oil and the butter to the pan and fry the onion for 5 minutes then add the garlic and mushrooms and fry for 5 minutes more until they are golden.
3. Stir the flour into the onions and then gradually add the white wine. Allow to bubble for a minute then stir in the mustard and return the chicken to the pan. Pour over the stock and cream and stir in the peas and spinach and allow to wilt then remove from the heat and cool until only just warm.
4. Heat the oven to 210°c/ fan 190°c. Roll out the pastry so it will fit over the pan. Place over the top of the filling, tucking it in around the edge.
5. Brush all over with beaten egg and make a small hole in the centre. Bake for 30 minutes until puffed and golden.

3 tbsp olive oil

8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, diced

1/4 stick unsalted butter

1 onion, finely sliced

2 cloves garlic, grated

7 oz button mushrooms, halved

1 heaped tbsp plain flour

5 fl oz white wine

1 tbsp dijon mustard

6.8fl oz chicken stock

5.3oz frozen peas, defrosted

2fl oz double cream

7oz spinach

375g all butter puff pastry

1 free range egg, beaten

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 tbsp olive oil

8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, diced

25g unsalted butter

1 onion, finely sliced

2 cloves garlic, grated

200g button mushrooms, halved

1 heaped tbsp plain flour

150ml white wine

1 tbsp dijon mustard

200ml chicken stock

150g frozen peas, defrosted

60ml double cream

200g spinach