Chicken pie

Chicken pie: a perfect culinary treat for the whole family

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 6

Looking for a dish that combines tradition with delightful flavors? Chicken pie is the ideal choice! This recipe will not only delight you with its taste but also bring joy around the table, making it a perfect option for a family dinner or a gathering with friends. The history of stuffed pies is an old one, spanning generations, and each culture has adapted the recipe based on available local ingredients. Now it's your turn to bring a touch of this tradition into your kitchen!

Ingredients for the dough:
- 150 ml warm water
- 20 g fresh yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Flour, as needed (approximately 300 g, but we will adjust as we go)

Ingredients for the filling:
- 600 g minced chicken
- 1 medium onion
- 1 large carrot
- 1 egg
- 100 ml tomato puree
- 100 ml meat broth (or water, for a lighter dish)
- 4-5 tablespoons olive oil
- 3-4 cloves of garlic
- 2 teaspoons pepper paste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 bunch of chopped fresh parsley
- 100 g grated cheese (for added flavor)

Preparation:

Step 1: Preparing the dough
In a small bowl, add the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Mix well and let sit for 10 minutes, until the yeast starts to bubble. This is the key to a fluffy and delicious dough!

Step 2: Making the dough
In a large bowl, combine the flour (approximately 300 g) with the salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Start kneading the dough, gradually adding flour until you get a soft dough that doesn't stick to your fingers. If necessary, you can add more flour, but be careful not to make it too hard. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Preparing the filling
Meanwhile, peel and finely chop the onion. Grate the carrot on a small grater. In a pan, add 4-5 tablespoons of olive oil and sauté the onion and carrot for 5-7 minutes until they become translucent.

Step 4: Adding the meat
Add the minced chicken to the pan and cook until it browns, stirring occasionally. Then add the tomato puree, meat broth, and pepper paste. Let it simmer on low heat until the liquid reduces and the filling becomes thicker. Season with salt and pepper, and don't forget to add the crushed garlic and chopped parsley. Let the filling cool slightly.

Step 5: Assembling the pie
After the dough has risen, divide it into two parts: one larger for the base and one smaller for the top. Roll out the larger dough into a thin sheet and place it in a greased and floured baking dish, ensuring that the dough goes up the sides of the dish. Pour the chicken filling and level it evenly. Grate cheese on top for added flavor.

Step 6: Decorating the pie
Roll out the remaining dough and cut it into thin strips. Arrange them on top of the filling in a lattice pattern, but feel free to get creative and use various shapes. Grate a little cheese on top for a delicious finish.

Step 7: Baking
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and bake the pie for 30 minutes, or until it becomes golden and crispy. Delicious aromas will fill your kitchen, and the whole family will be eager to taste it!

Serving:
Let the pie cool slightly before cutting it. It can be served plain or with a fresh green salad on the side. A delicious combination would also be a tangy sour cream or Greek yogurt, which will add a creamy contrast.

Helpful tips:
- Be careful with the water temperature when activating the yeast; it should not be too hot, or the yeast will be destroyed.
- I advise using quality chicken, preferably from safe sources, to achieve a meaty and tasty filling.
- If you want to enrich the filling, you can add mushrooms or bell peppers to create a combination of flavors and textures.

Nutritional information:
A serving of chicken pie has approximately 450-500 calories, providing a good source of protein from the meat, vitamins from the vegetables, and essential nutrients from whole grain flour if you choose to use whole grain flour.

Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use other types of meat?
Yes, you can replace chicken with beef or pork, depending on your preferences.

2. How can I make the pie healthier?
Replace olive oil with canola oil or use whole grain flour for the dough.

3. Can I prepare the pie in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the filling a day ahead and you can also freeze the pie before baking.

This chicken pie is not just a recipe, but also a culinary experience that brings the family together. Enjoy every step of cooking and don't forget to share the result with your loved ones! Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: For the dough: 150 ml water, 20g fresh yeast, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp sugar, 2 tbsp olive oil, flour as needed. For the filling: 600g minced chicken, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 1 egg, 100 ml tomato paste, 100 ml meat broth, 4-5 tbsp olive oil, 3-4 cloves of garlic, 2 tsp pepper paste, salt, pepper, chopped fresh parsley, 100g cheese.

 Tags:  meat pie