Jamie Oliver Chicken Ham And Leek Pie Recipe

Easy Jamie Oliver Chicken Ham And Leek Pie Recipe That Wows

Jamie Oliver’s chicken ham and leek pie represents culinary comfort at its finest, transforming humble ingredients into a magical dining experience.

Hearty and warming, this classic British dish combines tender proteins with silky smooth textures that dance across your palate.

Professional chefs and home cooks celebrate such recipes for their delightful complexity and soul-satisfying qualities.

Soft leeks mingle seamlessly with succulent chicken and salty ham, creating layers of robust flavor that feel both rustic and refined.

Professional kitchens might elevate such a recipe, but home cooks can easily master this delectable creation with confidence.

Crisp pastry edges promise a delightful crunch that perfectly complements the creamy, rich interior filling.

Each bite tells a story of traditional cooking techniques merged with contemporary culinary artistry: prepare to be transported.

Must-Have Ingredients for Jamie Oliver’s Chicken, Ham & Leek Pie

Base Ingredients:
  • Milk: Creates a smooth, creamy sauce base with subtle richness.
  • Stock: Provides deep flavor and enhances overall sauce complexity.
  • Wine: Optional ingredient that adds depth and sophistication to the sauce.
  • Pepper and Salt: Essential seasonings for balanced taste and flavor enhancement.
  • Cream: Adds luxurious, silky texture to the sauce.
Pastry Ingredients:
  • Butter, Flour: Classic pie crust components that create a tender, flaky pastry.
  • Egg: Binds pastry ingredients and provides structure.
  • Water: Helps combine pastry ingredients and achieve proper dough consistency.
Pie Dish Preparation:
  • Flour: Prevents pastry from sticking during rolling and shaping.

Straightforward Steps: Jamie Oliver’s Chicken, Ham & Leek Pie

Straightforward Steps: Jamie Oliver’s Chicken, Ham & Leek Pie

Step 1: Create Silky Smooth Sauce

Gradually introduce milk to the pan, stirring thoroughly between each pour. Slowly incorporate of reserved stock and optional wine. Continuously stir until sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened. Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 3 minutes.

Ingredients for stirring:
  • Milk
  • Stock
  • Wine (optional)

Tip: Consistent stirring prevents lumps from forming.

Step 2: Season and Cool Sauce

Add pepper and salt to taste. Remove from heat and gently fold in cream while stirring. Transfer sauce to a large bowl and cover with cling film to prevent skin formation. Allow sauce to cool completely.

Step 3: Prepare Pastry Dough

Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C Fan/Gas 6). Place baking sheet inside oven to warm up.

Ingredients for pastry:
  • Butter
  • Flour
  • Egg
  • Water

Using a food processor, pulse butter and flour until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. With processor running, add egg and water. Blend until dough forms a cohesive ball. Set aside of pastry for pie lid.

Step 4: Shape Pastry Crust

On a lightly floured surface, roll out remaining pastry. Rotate dough frequently to ensure even thickness. Roll to approximately 5 mm thick and 4 cm larger than pie dish. Carefully transfer dough using rolling pin. Gently press into dish, eliminating air bubbles. Allow pastry edges to hang over sides.

Insider Advice for Jamie Oliver’s Chicken, Ham & Leek Pie

  • Slice Leeks Carefully: Trim and wash leeks meticulously to remove all hidden dirt between layers, ensuring clean and grit-free vegetable pieces for your pie.
  • Control Sauce Consistency: Whisk flour gradually into cream, stirring continuously to prevent lumps and create a silky, smooth sauce that coats ingredients perfectly.
  • Check Meat Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe and juicy protein that melts in your mouth.
  • Select Quality Ham: Choose thick-cut, high-quality ham slices with robust flavor that complement the delicate chicken and creamy sauce.
  • Roll Pastry Evenly: Use steady pressure and a light touch when rolling pastry, aiming for uniform thickness that bakes into a golden, crispy crust without becoming tough.

Sustaining Freshness: Storing Jamie Oliver’s Chicken, Ham & Leek Pie

  • Airtight Container Method: Seal the pie in a high-quality, leak-proof container to preserve its delicate flavors and prevent moisture loss. Ensure the container completely covers the pie's surface to maintain its original texture and taste.
  • Refrigeration Strategy: Quickly cool the pie before storing, placing it in the coldest part of the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. Consume refrigerated pie within 3-4 days for optimal freshness and food safety.
  • Freezing Technique: Wrap individual pie portions in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn and flavor contamination. Label the package with the date and contents, allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal up to 3 months later by thawing in the refrigerator overnight.

Experimenting with Jamie Oliver’s Chicken, Ham & Leek Pie

  • Mediterranean Herb Chicken Pie: Replace regular herbs with rosemary, thyme, and oregano for a Greek-inspired flavor profile. Add sun-dried tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese to enhance Mediterranean tastes.
  • Spicy Chorizo Chicken Fusion: Swap ham with spicy Spanish chorizo for a bold kick. Include roasted red peppers and smoked paprika to complement the sausage's intense flavor.
  • Mushroom Truffle Elegant Version: Incorporate wild mushrooms like porcini and shiitake. Drizzle truffle oil before sealing the pastry for a luxurious gourmet touch. Add chopped fresh parsley for brightness.
  • Cheddar Green Onion Rustic Pie: Mix sharp aged cheddar into the sauce. Sprinkle chopped green onions on top before baking. Use whole wheat pastry for a more robust, earthy crust texture.

Final Thoughts on Jamie Oliver’s Chicken, Ham & Leek Pie

Jamie Oliver’s Chicken Ham and Leek Pie emerges as culinary poetry, weaving comfort and sophistication into each delectable bite.

Savory layers of tender chicken, smoky ham, and delicate leeks nestle beneath golden pastry, creating pure gastronomic magic.

Kitchen enthusiasts can savor this classic British masterpiece that whispers stories of hearty family meals and countryside charm.

Mediterranean herbs and rich cream sauce elevate this traditional pie into a sublime dining experience.

Passionate cooks discover techniques blending rustic ingredients with professional finesse, transforming simple components into extraordinary fare.

Passionate palates will adore this masterful recipe – share its deliciousness, comment with culinary insights, and spread joy through this irresistible pie that celebrates home cooking’s heart and soul.

What Makes Jamie Oliver’s Chicken, Ham & Leek Pie So Delightful

What Makes Jamie Oliver’s Chicken, Ham & Leek Pie So Delightful
  • Creamy Comfort Delight: This pie delivers a rich, velvety sauce that hugs tender chicken and ham, creating a luxurious comfort food experience that warms you from the inside out.
  • Pastry Perfection Technique: Jamie Oliver's food processor method makes creating flaky, homemade pastry surprisingly simple, allowing even novice bakers to achieve professional-looking results with minimal effort.
  • Flavor-Packed One-Dish Wonder: By combining chicken, ham, leeks, and a smooth cream sauce, this recipe offers a complete meal in a single elegant pie that's perfect for family dinners or weekend gatherings.
  • Quick Prep, Impressive Outcome: With manageable cooking steps and approximately 90 minutes total time, you'll create a restaurant-quality dish that looks and tastes far more complicated than its straightforward preparation suggests.
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Jamie Oliver Chicken Ham And Leek Pie Recipe

Jamie Oliver Chicken Ham And Leek Pie Recipe


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4.5 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Jamie Oliver’s chicken ham and leek pie delivers hearty British comfort on a plate. Flaky pastry embraces tender chicken, smoky ham, and sweet leeks in a creamy sauce that will make dinner guests swoon and ask for seconds.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 3 chicken breasts, skin removed
  • 150g/5½oz piece thickly carved ham, cut into 2cm/¾in chunks

Liquid and Dairy Ingredients:

  • 450ml/16fl oz chicken stock
  • 200ml/7fl oz milk
  • 150ml/5fl oz double cream
  • 23 tablespoons white wine (optional)

Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:

  • 350g/12oz plain flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 200g/7oz butter
  • 75g/2¾oz butter
  • 55g/2oz plain flour
  • 2 leeks, trimmed and cut into 1cm/½in slices
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 free-range egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water, plus 1 free-range egg, beaten, to glaze

Instructions

  1. Gradually incorporate milk into the pan, thoroughly mixing after each addition. Slowly pour 250 milliliters (10 fluid ounces) of reserved stock and optional wine while continuously stirring until the sauce achieves a smooth, slightly thickened consistency. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for three minutes.
  2. Season with pepper and salt. Remove from heat and gently fold in cream while stirring. Transfer the sauce to a large bowl and immediately cover with plastic wrap, ensuring direct contact to prevent skin formation. Allow the sauce to cool completely.
  3. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit) or 180 degrees Celsius fan setting (356 degrees Fahrenheit). Position a baking sheet inside the oven to heat simultaneously. Combine butter and flour in a food processor, using pulse function until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. With the machine running, introduce egg and water, blending until the ingredients form a cohesive dough ball. Reserve 250 grams (9 ounces) of pastry for the pie lid.
  4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the remaining pastry, frequently rotating to maintain an even thickness of approximately 5 millimeters (1/2 inch). Ensure the rolled dough extends 4 centimeters (1 1/2 inches) larger than the pie dish’s diameter. Carefully transfer the dough using a rolling pin, gently pressing into the dish to eliminate air pockets. Allow excess dough to drape over the dish edges.

Notes

  • Perfectly cooked chicken breasts guarantee a safe and delicious meal.
  • Thick-cut ham adds robust flavor and satisfying meaty texture to the dish.
  • Whisking flour meticulously prevents lumps and creates a silky smooth sauce.
  • Fresh leeks bring a delicate, aromatic quality that elevates the entire recipe.
  • Uniform pastry thickness ensures a crisp, golden crust that complements the creamy filling.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: British

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 684
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 720mg
  • Fat: 47g
  • Saturated Fat: 29g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 37g
  • Cholesterol: 214mg
Ethan Miller

Ethan Miller

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Food Photography and Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Blogging
  • Ingredient Sourcing and Sustainability Practices

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and food safety protocols.

Culinary Institute of the Pacific

  • Program: Certificate in International Cuisine
  • Focus: Exploration of global culinary traditions, flavor profiles, and plating artistry.

Ethan’s culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen, where he first learned to play with flavors and ingredients. With formal training in culinary arts and a deep love for international cuisines, Ethan’s goal is to share the joy of cooking with others.

He believes food is all about creativity and bringing people together, one meal at a time. When he’s not experimenting with new dishes, he enjoys hiking in the Oregon wilderness and discovering fresh, local ingredients.

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