Hoenderpastei
South African Chicken Pie
A comforting and classic South African chicken pie featuring tender, shredded chicken in a rich, creamy sauce, encased in flaky puff pastry. Perfect for a hearty meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1kg Chicken breasts or thighs, bone-in and skin-on
- 500g Frozen puff pastry sheets
- 200ml Heavy cream
- 2 cups Mixed vegetables (e.g., peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
- 1 medium Onion
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 250ml Chicken broth
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1 Egg
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a pot, cover with water, add a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove chicken from the liquid, let it cool slightly, then shred the meat. Reserve about 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 2
Make the creamy sauce: In a large saucepan or pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic, stirring constantly to form a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 3
Continue the sauce: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and the reserved chicken cooking liquid until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring, until the sauce begins to thicken. Stir in the heavy cream and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce is rich and creamy. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. Gently fold in the shredded chicken and the cooked mixed vegetables.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Assemble the pie: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly grease a pie dish or oven-safe baking dish. Line the bottom and sides of the dish with one sheet of thawed puff pastry, pressing it gently into the corners. Pour the chicken and vegetable filling into the pastry-lined dish. Ensure the filling is evenly distributed.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
Top and bake: Drape the second sheet of puff pastry over the filling. Trim any excess pastry and crimp the edges of the top and bottom pastry together to seal. Cut a few slits in the top pastry to allow steam to escape. Brush the top of the pie with the beaten egg for a golden finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up, deeply golden brown, and the filling is bubbling.
⏱️ 40-45 minutes - 6
Rest and serve: Let the pie rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set slightly.
⏱️ 15 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For an even richer filling, use a combination of chicken broth and milk.
- ✓Ensure the puff pastry is well-chilled before handling for the flakiest results.
- ✓Don't overcrowd the pie dish with filling; leave some space for the pastry.
- ✓Serve hot with a side of green salad or steamed vegetables.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add sautéed mushrooms or leeks to the filling for extra flavor.
- Incorporate diced ham or bacon for a savory twist.
- Use a shortcrust pastry for the base and puff pastry for the lid.