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
- 2–3 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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