Chicken Curry Pie

How to make a delicious chicken curry pie, easy step by step instructions from start to finish.

Ingredients

Method

  • The Pastry:
  • 340g / 12oz Plain or All-purpose flour
  • 85g / 3oz cold butter
  • 85g / 3oz cold lard or shortening
  • 60mls / 60g / 2 oz of cold water
  • 1 Large egg
  • ¼tsp / 2g Salt
  • The Filling:
  • 600g / 21oz Chicken breasts diced small
  • 1 Large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 Cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2tbls Olive oil
  • 1g / ¼tsp black pepper
  • 4g / ½tsp Salt
  • 100mls double cream + 50mls water
  • 20g /2tbls Corn flour/starch in 20mls cold water
  • 8g / 2tsp garam masala
  • 4g / 1tsp Turmeric
  • 2g / ½tsp hot chilli powder (add extra if needed)
  • Bunch of Coriander (optional)
  • Making the pastry:
  • Add the flour, salt, cold butter and lard to a food processor, pulse until it resembles fine breadcrumbs, slowly add the beaten egg and cold water, when the pastry forms into a ball it is done, this should only take about 45 seconds.
  • Cut the pastry in half form each half into a puck shape, wrap in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or until needed.
  • To make the pastry by hand: add the flour, salt, cold butter and lard to a bowl, rub the ingredients together until there is no more lumps of fat, form a well in the middle add the egg and water and cut it together using an ordinary dinner knife.
  • Making the filling:
  • Add the oil to a large pan and fry the onion until soft and just starting to colour.
  • Add the garlic, black pepper, and salt, stir.
  • Add the chicken and mix it thoroughly with the onions.
  • Continuously stir for approx 4 minutes, until the chicken starts to colour, and release its juices.
  • Add the cream and water and bring to a simmer.
  • Add the coriander and stir (optional ingredient)
  • Add the corn flour and water, stir until it thickens.
  • Turn off the heat, and allow to completely cool.
  • Making the Pie:
  • Preheat your oven to 170°C that’s 340°F or gas mark 3.
  • Roll each pastry big enough to fit the pie tin, (see video for rolling technique).
  • Place the bottom pastry into the greased tin carefully pushing it down into the corners.
  • Add the filling and level it off, try to dome the mixture so the middle is slightly higher than the edges.
  • Brush egg wash around edge of the rim before adding the top pastry.
  • Crimp the edges together as shown in the video, (see video for crimping technique) trim off the excess pastry.
  • Brush the top of the pie with the egg wash, prick in a few vent holes using a fork.
  • Get the pie into the preheated oven and set the timer for 35 to 40 minutes, check when the time is up, if it’s a golden shiny brown it’s done, if it’s still a little pale, give it another 5 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven, let it relax for 10 minutes before serving.
  • Enjoy.

Equipment & products used in my kitchen