Prep time:

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Total time:

Serves: 5

1tbsp olive oil

600g cooked chicken

200g bacon lardons, bacon rashers, or ham, cut into 2.5cm pieces

1 onion chopped

2 garlic cloves crushed

1tsp dried thyme

2tbsp plain flour

100ml white wine

100ml milk

500g ready-rolled puff pastry

1 egg beaten

½tsp sea salt, 5 grinds of pepper

There’s nothing more comforting than a good pie, and this one is not only good but very easy.

I think the secret to a good pie is to have a generous filling. That’s why I’m always disappointed by shop-bought pies! This recipe uses leftover chicken and whatever bacon you have in your fridge – you could even use ham.

  1. Set oven to 200°c. Soften the onions and garlic for 5 minutes in a hot pan with the olive oil.
  2. Add the bacon pieces to the pan and colour them for 5 minutes (if using ham, just warm through).
  3. Add the flour and stir to form a roux, then add the wine, stirring to remove any lumps. Add the milk, thyme, chicken and the seasoning then simmer for 10 minutes.
  4. Pour the mixture into a pie dish and let it cool before adding the pastry top.
  5. Brush some egg around the edge of the pie dish and lay the pastry on top of the mixture. Cut round the pastry to remove excess, then press it down onto the edge of the pie dish and brush with the beaten egg.
  6. Using a small sharp knife, score the top of the pastry and pierce the middle to let steam out.
  7. Put the pie in an oven at 200°c for 30 mins or until the pastry is golden brown. Serve with mash and green veg.

You may also like

Pot-roast chicken pot au feu

Pot au feu is a classic French dish literally translating to ‘pot in fire’. All the flavours of a well-bred free-range chicken mingle together with summer baby vegetables, herbs and white wine. The technique may be French and harking back...

Cured trout, crème fraîche & pickled kohlrabi, cucumber & dill

This easy starter is impressive in looks and taste; taking only minutes to prepare, it does need to be chilled overnight in the fridge and is a perfect light and summery dish to have ready to serve when your guests...

Gooseberry & elderflower fool

Gooseberries often lose out in the popularity contest to other soft seasonal fruit. These tart and firm little berries just need a little heat and sweetness to reveal their charms. Here Robin pairs the tasty fruit with the classic pairing...