Place the chicken breasts in a saucepan and cover fully with water. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and simmer steadily. This slow cooking keeps the fibres soft and prevents dryness. Once cooked through, remove, cool briefly, and cut into even pieces.
Heat butter and olive oil together in a wide pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, not browned. Stir in the garlic and cook briefly, allowing the aroma to release without letting it darken, which keeps the filling mild and balanced.
Add diced carrots and cook until they begin to soften but still hold their shape. Stir in green peas and cook just long enough to warm them through. This staggered cooking ensures vegetables finish cooking inside the pie rather than turning mushy.
Sprinkle flour evenly over the vegetables and stir continuously to coat them. Cook the flour briefly to remove the raw taste. Slowly add chicken stock while stirring to avoid lumps, followed by milk. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens and looks smooth.
Add salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Fold in the cooked chicken and simmer gently until everything is coated evenly. Remove from heat and allow the filling to cool slightly, which helps protect the pastry during baking.
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Transfer the filling into an oven-safe pie dish and level the surface. Lay the shortcrust pastry over the top, trim excess, and crimp the edges firmly. Cut a small slit in the centre to release steam.
Brush the pastry with beaten egg for colour. Bake until the crust turns evenly golden and crisp. After baking, rest the pie before slicing so the filling sets and serves cleanly.
Serve thick slices on warm plates to maintain the filling’s structure.
Pair this hearty pie with a crisp green salad or steamed seasonal greens to cut through the creamy filling.
Finish with a light sprinkle of dried thyme on the crust edge.
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