Tillie Doyle
Chicken pie is a classic comfort food, and cooking it in an air fryer gives it a deliciously crispy crust and perfectly cooked, creamy filling in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven. Here are some tips and tricks for making a mouth-watering chicken pie in an air fryer.
Characteristics and Values Table for Chicken Pie in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Chicken, mushroom, potato, butter/olive oil, chicken stock, leek, bacon, carrots, crème fraiche, mustard, puff pastry, egg |
| Utensils | Sharp knife, chopping board, potato peeler, jug, whisk, flameproof dish/pan, tin, food thermometer |
| Temperature | 320-350°F/160-180°C |
| Cooking Time | 10-30 minutes |
| Calories | 610-868 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 55-82 g |
| Protein | 17-41 g |
| Fat | 36-50 g |
| Sodium | 950-1671 mg |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken, leek and bacon pie filling
First, cut your chicken into similar-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl. You can use chicken breasts, cutting them into inch-sized chunks, or opt for chicken thighs or mini fillets. Boneless and skinless chicken thighs are a good option as they stay juicier in pies. If you prefer chicken breasts, shredding them can help prevent overcooking.
Next, slice and dice your vegetables. For this recipe, you will need leeks, which are the star ingredient, adding lots of flavour to the pie. Slice two medium leeks relatively thinly. You can also add a carrot, slicing it into similar-sized pieces as the leek. Additionally, you can include a white onion, finely chopping it, and some celery, which blends nicely into the filling.
Now, it's time to cook the bacon. For this recipe, use streaky bacon, which has fat that you can use to sauté the leek. Fry the bacon in a pan until it is slightly browned and crispy. Then, remove it from the pan and set it aside.
Add a dash of olive oil to the pan and sauté the onion until it softens. Next, add the leeks and continue cooking until they, too, have softened. If you like garlic, add a few cloves, thinly sliced and rubbed with salt, to the pan and cook for a few minutes. Finally, return the cooked bacon to the pan and stir everything together.
In a separate bowl, mix the chicken with salt and pepper, and pan-sear the pieces to cook them in butter. Be careful not to overcook the chicken at this stage. Let the chicken cool slightly, then shred it and add it to the vegetable and bacon mixture.
To make the sauce, heat some butter in a pan until it bubbles, then add flour, whisking constantly. Slowly pour in chicken stock, continuing to whisk until you have a thickened mixture. You can adjust the flavour of the sauce by using different types of chicken stock. Add this sauce to the chicken and vegetable mixture, stirring it through, and set the filling aside.
Now you have your chicken, leek, and bacon pie filling, ready to be used with your air fryer!
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Preparing the pastry
Next, roll out your pastry. You want it to be large enough to comfortably cover your pie filling, with some excess to work with. Carefully place the pastry over your pie filling, using your fingers to crimp it down and seal it to the tin. It is important to be firm and make sure the pastry is really pressed down, as it will shrink during cooking. If there is a lot of excess pastry, you can trim it away, but leaving a little can help hold it in place.
Once the pastry is secure, use a sharp knife to cut two slits in the middle to vent the pie. Then, liberally brush the pastry with whisked egg. This will give your pastry a nice, golden finish.
Finally, carefully place the pie into your air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your tin, this may be a tight fit, so take care not to disturb the pastry as you do so.
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Air-frying the pie
First, prepare your pie filling. For a chicken, leek, and bacon pie, cut your chicken into similar-sized pieces and add to a bowl with sliced leek, diced carrots, and sliced bacon. Add a dash of olive oil and seasoning, then stir. For a chicken and mushroom pie, you can add potatoes for a more filling pie. Transfer the filling to a heat-proof dish that fits comfortably in your air fryer basket. A foil container or individual ramekins are also good options.
Next, prepare your pastry. Roll it out and place it neatly on top of the filling. Use your fingers to crimp the edges, sealing the pastry to the dish. Brush the pastry with whisked egg to create a crisp and browned finish. Pierce the top with two holes to allow steam to escape.
Now, carefully place your pie into the air fryer basket. Air fry at between 160-180 degrees Celsius for 15-20 minutes, until the pastry is golden and the filling is hot. For a crispier crust, turn up the heat to 205 degrees Celsius and cook for a further 5-7 minutes. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is above 75 degrees Celsius before serving.
Finally, remove your pie from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious, homemade chicken pie!
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Using a food thermometer
A food thermometer, also known as a meat thermometer, is used to measure the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it has reached a safe temperature. The recommended temperature for cooked chicken is above 75°C. This temperature kills any harmful bacteria, making the chicken safe to consume.
To use a food thermometer, insert the probe into the thickest part of the chicken, ensuring it does not touch any bones, as these conduct heat and can give a false reading. Wait for a few seconds until the temperature reading stabilises. If the temperature is below 75°C, return the pie to the air fryer and cook for a further 5 minutes, then check again. Repeat this process until the chicken reaches the desired temperature.
It is important to note that the chicken pie filling should not be allowed to cool completely before serving, as the chicken may not remain hot enough and could drop below the safe temperature threshold. The air fryer cooks less evenly than a conventional oven, so using a food thermometer is the best way to guarantee that your chicken pie is safe to eat and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
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Serving suggestions
When serving chicken pie cooked in an air fryer, it is best to let the pie sit for about 5 minutes after cooking before removing it from the appliance. This will give the filling time to settle, making it less messy when you cut into it.
Chicken pie can be served with a variety of sides. You could serve it with a simple green salad or a fruit salad, or opt for a vegetable like asparagus or green beans. If you're after something more comforting, buttery mash is a great option. If you've made individual pies, you could also place the pies on top of the mash, with some gravy poured over them.
Chicken pie is also great served with other comfort foods, like roast potatoes, carrots, and parsnips. For a healthier option, you could roast some butternut squash or sweet potatoes.
If you're looking for a more substantial meal, you could serve the pie with a side of stuffing or a portion of macaroni cheese.
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