Description
Delightfully flaky and savory sweetheart-shaped chicken hand pies filled with a creamy chicken and mixed vegetable filling seasoned with sage and spices. Perfect for a charming appetizer or a cozy meal, these hand pies combine tender chicken, savory sauce, and buttery puff pastry baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon sage
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 3/4 cup cooked chicken, finely chopped
- 3/4 cup chicken stock
- 3/4 cup frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
Dough
- 1 sheet puff pastry or pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
For Egg Wash (Optional)
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Make the roux: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to form a roux.
- Add chicken stock: Gradually whisk in the chicken stock to the roux, ensuring no lumps form. Continue whisking and cooking for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens into a creamy sauce.
- Combine filling ingredients: Stir in the sage, salt, and pepper, then add the finely chopped cooked chicken and thawed mixed vegetables. Mix thoroughly and remove the saucepan from heat. Let the filling cool slightly.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the hand pies.
- Prepare pastry: Roll out the puff pastry or pie crust on a lightly floured surface. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out pairs of heart-shaped dough pieces.
- Fill hand pies: Spoon a generous amount of the chicken and vegetable filling onto the center of one heart-shaped piece.
- Seal the pies: Place another heart-shaped dough piece on top of the filling. Press the edges firmly together and crimp with a fork to seal completely to avoid filling leakage during baking.
- Optional egg wash: Brush the tops of the hand pies with beaten egg to achieve a golden, glossy finish once baked.
- Arrange for baking: Place the assembled hand pies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the pies are puffed up and golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Allow the hand pies to cool slightly before serving to enhance flavor and avoid burning.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken stock with vegetable stock for a milder flavor.
- Make sure the filling is cooled before assembling to prevent puff pastry from becoming soggy.
- Use fresh sage if available for a more vibrant herb flavor.
- Ensure edges are sealed well to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
- Hand pies can be frozen before baking; bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to cooking time.
