Roasted chicken with fresh leeks braised in white wine and cream then topped with pastry is an easy Irish recipe, which is a traditional family favourite during the winter.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium leeks, washed, trimmed and thickly sliced
- 4 skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 150ml white wine
- 150ml chicken stock, hot
- 142ml carton double cream
- Sprigs fresh tarragon, leaves picked and roughly chopped
- 375g pack ready-rolled
- puff pastry
- 1 medium egg
Method
- 1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and leeks and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened.
- 2. Add the chicken pieces and cook, stirring, for another 4-5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, add the wine and bubble away until reduced by two-thirds. Pour in the stock and simmer until reduced by half. Add the cream and tarragon, bring to the boil, then simmer for 5-6 minutes until thickened. Season, then spoon into a 2.5-litre pie dish (or 4 x 300ml ovenproof dishes). Set aside to cool.
- 3. Brush a little water along the edge of the pie dish or dishes. Unroll the pastry and cut out a piece large enough to cover the dish or dishes. Press down the edges and trim off the excess. Snip a small hole in the centre of the pastry to let the steam escape. Put on a baking tray and chill for 15 minutes.
- 4. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 220°C/fan200°C/gas 7.
- Beat the egg with a little salt, then brush over the pastry. Bake for 40-45 minutes (20-25 minutes if you are making individual pies) until the pastry is golden.
Nutritional info
Per serving: 821kcals, 51.8g fat (13.7g saturated), 48.1g protein, 39.2g carbs, 4.6g sugar, 1.1g salt