Savory and Delicious British Pies [Recipe for Chicken and Leek Pie] (2024)

British savory pies are one of the best reasons to visit. We love them. Find out all about savory pies, and we hope you try our Chicken and Leek Pie recipe.

British Hand Pies

Britain has a long history of pies, and I have a long history with Britain…and her pies, especially meat pies. I love them! I spent a few of my formative years in Ipswich, and I would love it when the family stopped off at thechippie. On every visit, I would get a steak and kidney pie, which is pretty unusual for a little girl, but that was my go-to choice.

Maybe it was because I had no idea what a kidney was, and my younger self had no idea that I wasn’t supposed to like them. I remember the first time I ordered one with Jim, not even thinking about it and he just gave me this look like, “What kind of beast have I married?” As with many things, though, he came around and I believe he’s a fan as well, although I don’t think it’s his go-to by a long shot.

The good thing is that there are so many varieties of savory pies out there now, and you can go to any gas station to heat one up and take it in the car with you. I like to mix it up with a chicken curry one day and then one day I’ll go rogue with whatever is the flavor of the day. I’ve rarely been disappointed. That is unless there are peas in it. That is one British dish I have a hard time with, peas. I just don’t get the fascination. I’ll take a good root vegetable any day.

World Hand Pies

Pies are not just a British thing, and they have a long revered history dating back to those imaginative Egyptians. Other cultures also started encasing meats, primarily in order to have the precious food last longer, but as the centuries sped by, there are pies in just about every culture. There are many world different hand pies found all over the world, and we want to try them all.

One of our non-British favorites is the Turkish borek, which we have written about time and again. So, the short answer is, the Romans did not just come to Britain to build a wall, Hadrian’s, but also brought along these tasty and somewhat portable treats. Needless to say, chefs, butchers, bakers, and many a housewife have put their spin on this ubiquitous pastry-filled dish, all of which have proven to be pure comfort food.

Our family has followed suit, and we’ve tried our own take on some of the British classics. Erika recently discovered her love for leeks, so our new favorite came from her. This particular recipe has been very loosely modeled on one of Jamie Oliver’s, so you know it’s tasty, and it pairs well with an Irish Buck drink.

Anyone can make it, because it’s pretty easy, but you definitely might to check out this mini pie crust recipe if you want to make individual ones instead of one big family-size one like Erika did.

Erika’s Chicken and Leek Pie Recipe

Yield: 6 Servings

British Pies - Chicken and Leek Pie Recipe

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Our favorite British style pie is a take on what we Americans might call a chicken pot pie. Filled with creamy goodness, flavorful leeks, and super tasty chicken. This flaky-crust, chicken and leek pie will blow you away!

Ingredients

• 1 lb Boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
• 1 heaping tablespoon of flour 1-2 tbs oil
• 1 cup chopped leeks (1-2 leeks depending on how big they are)
• 1 cup mushrooms, chopped
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1-1/2 tablespoons creme fresh or sour cream
• Thyme, Rosemary, salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste
• 1 package of frozen puff pastry (unless you feel super energized and make your own)

Instructions

1. Roll out the thawed pastry dough and place one sheet in the pan with top edge extending past the lip of the pan.
2. Season and cook the chicken in the oil for about 5 minutes on medium high.
3. Add the leeks and mushrooms at a very low heat; cook about 5 minutes.
4. Add the flour, stirring consistently to coat everything.
5. Make sure chicken is cooked through, then add all the wet ingredients. Stir constantly until thickened. Add spices to taste.
6. Pour into pie dish, cover with second sheet of puff pastry, crimping edges with the bottom sheet.
7. Egg wash the top, and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Centigrade for about 20 minutes or until pastry top is golden brown and puffed up.

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What is your favorite type of pie?

Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.

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