Ella Walter
Chicken and pastry is a classic comfort food that can be made in a crock pot or slow cooker. It is a simple, family-friendly recipe that can be made with everyday ingredients. The recipe involves cooking chicken and vegetables in a slow cooker before adding biscuits or pastry to create a hearty, comforting dish. This method of cooking chicken and pastry allows for a hands-off approach, requiring minimal preparation and hassle.
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the chicken
Cover the crock pot and cook the chicken on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. The chicken is ready when it is cooked through and tender. Use two forks to shred the chicken meat, stirring it well to combine all the flavours. At this point, you can add in some frozen vegetables if desired.
Note that cooking times may vary depending on your specific slow cooker, so adjust the timing as needed to ensure the chicken is cooked through.
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Preparing the vegetables
If using fresh carrots and celery, it is recommended to chop them into bite-sized pieces. This ensures they cook evenly and are easier to eat. Frozen peas are also a popular choice, as they add a nice texture and flavour to the dish. You can add them directly from the bag, or thaw them slightly before adding if you prefer.
Onions are a key ingredient in many crockpot chicken recipes. Chop the onions into small pieces and place them at the bottom of your crockpot or slow cooker. This forms the flavourful base for your dish. You can also add other aromatic vegetables like garlic, but be mindful that garlic can burn during the long cook time, so it's best to add it towards the end of the cooking process.
Once you have prepared and added all your chosen vegetables to the crockpot, you can move on to the next steps of your chicken pastry recipe, such as adding the chicken, broth, and seasonings.
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Cooking the chicken
To cook the chicken for your crock pot chicken pastry, start by placing a layer of chopped onions at the bottom of the slow cooker. Then, layer chicken breasts on top and season them generously with salt, pepper, and oregano. You can also add some butter at this stage for extra flavour. Next, pour cream of chicken soup and chicken broth over the chicken, followed by thyme and a bay leaf. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for around 3 hours, or low for 6 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove the thyme and bay leaf, and use two forks to shred the meat. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and add in the rest of your chosen vegetables, such as celery, carrots, peas, and garlic. Frozen vegetables can also be added at this stage, although peas should be added later as they only need about 30 minutes to cook. Give everything a good stir to combine.
Now it's time to add your pastry. If you're using biscuits, cut or tear them into small, bite-sized pieces and stir them into the chicken and vegetable mixture. Make sure any biscuits on top are covered by spooning the chicken mixture over them. If you're using pastry strips, add them about an hour before serving, stirring regularly to prevent them from sticking together. Cover and cook for a further 1-2 hours on high, or until the vegetables are tender and the biscuits/pastry is cooked through.
If you're using puff pastry, it should be cooked separately according to the package directions and served on the side to maintain a crispy texture. For golden puff pastry, brush it with an egg and water mixture before baking.
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Adding the biscuits
Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the crock pot and shred the meat using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crock pot. At this point, you can add some frozen vegetables if you like.
Now, it's time to add the biscuits. If you're using canned biscuits, open the can and press each biscuit flat. It's important to flatten the biscuits before cutting or tearing them into bite-sized pieces, otherwise, they won't cook through properly. You can tear the biscuits with your hands or cut them with a knife. If you're using refrigerated biscuit dough, simply chop it into quarter-sized chunks. Make sure to push the biscuit pieces down into the crock pot so they can soak up the gravy while they cook.
Cover the biscuits with the chicken mixture by spooning it over the top. Then, replace the lid and continue cooking on high for about 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until the biscuits are cooked through and the vegetables are tender. The biscuits should be light and fluffy when they're done.
If you're using frozen dumplings, add them about an hour before serving, stirring every 15 minutes to prevent them from sticking together.
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Serving the dish
Once your chicken pastry is ready, it's time to serve it! Here are some tips and suggestions for serving this delicious dish:
Portion Size
The recipe yields about six servings. Depending on your appetite and the occasion, you can adjust the portion size accordingly. If you're serving a large group, you might consider making a double batch to ensure everyone gets a hearty helping.
Timing
This dish is best served fresh and warm. Plan your cooking time so that it coincides with your mealtime. If you're using a slow cooker, you can set it to cook for several hours, ensuring the dish is ready when you need it. Keep in mind that the cooking time can vary depending on your specific crockpot, so it's always good to check the progress and adjust as needed.
Presentation
Chicken pastry is a hearty and comforting dish that can be served in a bowl, just like a stew. Garnish each serving with fresh herbs for added flavour and a pop of colour. You can also serve it in a large serving dish, family-style, allowing everyone to scoop out their desired portion.
Sides and Accompaniments
Consider serving your chicken pastry with a side of crispy, golden puff pastry. Some people like to add a kick of spice with a side of Tabasco sauce. A refreshing glass of lemon sweet tea or ice-cold Coca-Cola can also complement the meal, especially if you're serving it in a Southern-style tradition. Don't forget to offer some Tabasco on the side for those who enjoy a little extra heat!
Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat gently before serving, ensuring the dish is hot all the way through.
Your delicious crockpot chicken pastry is now ready to be served and enjoyed! Bon appétit!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need chicken, carrots, onions, celery, peas, garlic, biscuits or pastry, chicken broth, and seasonings like oregano, salt, pepper, and thyme.
You can cook it on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours. After this, shred the chicken with two forks and add the biscuits or pastry. Then cook for another hour or two.
Add the biscuits or pastry after the chicken is cooked and shredded. You can add frozen biscuits or pastry an hour before serving. If you are using raw dough, add it 15-20 minutes before serving.
