Chicken Macaroni Pie: A Hearty and Delicious Christmas Treat
If you’re looking to add a homey and hearty dish to your Christmas feast, this scrumptious chicken macaroni pie might just fit the bill.
Chef Melba Nunis, an award-winning cookbook author, shares a treasured family recipe for a pie filled to the brim with chicken meatballs, eggs, vegetables, and more.
Be prepared for a tantalising aroma wafting through your kitchen as your pie bakes, and for your guests to sigh in delight after taking the first bite.
Ingredients
- 12 hard-boiled quail eggs, peeled
- 3 hard-boiled hen eggs, peeled and cut into wedges
- 80g macaroni, boiled until al-dente
- 50g green peas
- 1 spring onion, cut into 3cm lengths
- 1 tablespoon crispy fried shallots
- ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 beaten egg yolk, for brushing pastry
Shortcrust Pastry
- 300g plain flour
- 2 egg yolks
- 250ml water
- 150g margarine, melted and cooled
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Meatballs
- 300g minced chicken
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce or light soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt or stock powder
- Cooking oil, as needed
Chicken Stew
- 2 tablespoon cooking oil
- 80g yellow onion, peeled and cut into wedges
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 8 cloves
- 1kg chicken pieces
- 1 litre water
- 200g potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
- 100g carrot, peeled and sliced
- 3 tablespoon breadcrumbs
Method
Pastry
- To prepare the shortcrust pastry, sift the flour into a mixing bowl. Add the egg yolks and mix well with your fingers.
- Pour the water and cooled melted margarine into the flour mixture. Mix well to form a dough. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed.
Meatballs
- To prepare the meatballs, combine all the ingredients, except oil, and shape into small balls.
- Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until they take on some colour. Drain and set aside.
Chicken Stew
- Heat the oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the onions, cinnamon stick, and cloves, and fry until fragrant.
- Add the chicken and cook for five minutes. Add the water and bring to a boil.
- Add the potatoes and carrot and cook until tender. Stir in the breadcrumbs to thicken the gravy.
Assembling the Pie
- Preheat the oven to 160°C.
- Spoon the chicken stew into a 20cm x 25cm ovenproof dish.
- Arrange the meatballs evenly in the stew, followed by the eggs, macaroni, and green peas. Space the ingredients out evenly to ensure that every piece of pie has all the different ingredients in it.
- Top with spring onions and crispy fried shallots, then finish with a sprinkling of pepper.
- Place the shortcrust pastry on a sheet of greaseproof paper and roll out till large enough to cover the dish.
- Place it over the dish. Trim off any excess pastry hanging over the sides, then crimp the edges using a pincher.
- Brush the pastry with a beaten egg yolk. Bake on the lower rack of the oven for 15 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 130°C and bake until the pastry is cooked and golden.
- Slice and serve.
Tip: Roll out the pastry on a sheet of greaseproof paper, lifting the pastry gently with the greaseproof paper to prevent it from tearing or falling apart.
Conclusion
This chicken macaroni pie is a perfect addition to any Christmas feast. The combination of chicken meatballs, eggs, vegetables, and macaroni will surely impress your guests. With its golden crust and creamy filling, this pie is sure to become a new holiday tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use different types of pasta instead of macaroni?
A: Yes, you can use different types of pasta, such as spaghetti or linguine, but adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Q: Can I make the pie ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the filling and pastry ahead of time, but assemble the pie just before baking.
Q: Can I use store-bought pastry instead of homemade pastry?
A: Yes, you can use store-bought pastry, but make sure to follow the package instructions for thawing and baking.