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Accidentally made dinner disappear. Family Favorite Chicken Pie is that good. What would you serve it with?
Family Favorite Chicken Pie has fed four generations. What dish runs deep in your family?
This chicken pie has been a family favorite for over 50 years, and once you try it, you’ll see why. It’s packed with juicy, tender chicken cooked with garlic, onions, and warm spices. The filo crust is golden, crisp, and way easier to work with than you think. No fancy steps, no tricky ingredients—just real comfort food that tastes like home.
Why You’ll Love this Chicken Pie:
- The chicken is soft and full of flavor
- Garlic, herbs, and cloves add a rich, cozy taste
- Filo pastry keeps things crisp without the hassle of rolling dough
- Great for making ahead and baking when ready
- Feeds a crowd or gives you tasty leftovers
This isn’t just another pie. It’s the one everyone asks for again and again.
Family Favorite Chicken Pie with crisp filo and juicy filling. Comfort food without the fuss
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Family Favorite Chicken Pie with Filo Crust
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 100 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings depending on size 1x
- Category: Dinner Recipes
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: South African
Description
A flaky filo crust meets rich chicken filling in this Family Favorite Chicken Pie. No rolling dough or fancy prep, just deep flavor and a satisfying crunch in every bite.
Ingredients
- 2 whole chickens, cut into smaller pieces
- 1 onion, chopped
- Olive oil (virgin or light)
- 2 heaping dessert spoons of crushed garlic
- Salt, chicken spice, rosemary, and basil—to taste
- 10 whole cloves
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 box filo pastry (or puff pastry if you prefer)
- 1 egg
- A splash of milk
Instructions
- Cook the onions in a splash of olive oil until soft and golden.
- Add garlic and cook another minute or two. Set this mixture aside.
- In a large pot, heat more olive oil and brown the chicken pieces.
- Once golden, add the herbs, spices, and cloves. Pour in the boiling water.
- Let it simmer for about an hour, until the chicken is falling off the bone.
- Turn off the heat and let the chicken sit overnight in the pot.
- The warmth will continue cooking it gently.
- The next day, warm it slightly, just enough so you can handle the chicken without burning your fingers.
- Debone and shred the meat into the leftover broth.
- Let it sit in the juices for max flavor.
Time to Bake
- Butter or spray your baking dish.
- Lay a filo sheet on your counter. Brush lightly with egg wash (egg + milk).
- Add another sheet on top.
- Repeat until you’ve stacked 5–6 layers.
- Place this pastry base in the dish and press into the corners.
- Use a slotted spoon to scoop out the chicken onto the pastry.
- Avoid too much broth; you can always add a little more if needed.
- Brush the edges with more egg wash.
- Repeat the filo layering process for the top crust, another 5–6 layers brushed with egg wash.
- Press and seal the top to the bottom crust.
- Fold the edges to lock everything in.
- Brush the top with egg wash.
- Bake at 375°F for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.
Why You’ll Love This:
- The chicken is ultra-tender and full of flavor
- Cloves give it a subtle warmth you didn’t know it needed
- Filo pastry means no rolling and a perfectly crispy finish
- It’s easy to make ahead and just assemble when you’re ready
Want a pie that makes your kitchen smell like home? This one’s been doing just that for five decades, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon.
Notes
Created, prepared, tried, and tested by Alwyn (husband’s memory from how his grandmother used to make it), and now a family favorite. Esme from SA Tasty Recipes, Saffas Daily Recipes, and EsmeSalon Homemade Recipes
What sets this Family Favorite Chicken Pie apart? A subtle blend of cloves and garlic that transforms everyday chicken into something memorable. Paired with a crisp filo crust, it’s the kind of dish that’s simple enough for weeknights but good enough for guests.
You will enjoy this recipe for its tender, flavorful chicken, rich garlic spice, and crisp, flaky filo crust. The steps are simple, the ingredients are basic, and the result is a deeply satisfying dish that’s easy to make ahead and perfect for any dinner.
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Thanks for dropping in and checking out the recipes and what’s on offer.
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Reblogged this on The Recipe Hunter and commented:
Repost from November 2015. Cook&Enjoy