Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie – A Delicious Classic

Mary Berry is one of the most popular names in British cuisine, partly because she shares such marvellous recipes that any person can attempt. Among them is the dish of our interest—Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie, which is much loved in her family. In this article, we are going to introduce the basic Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie and then suggest two alternative recipes.

Traditional Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie Recipe

The traditional Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie is a dish in which fresh ingredients complement each other. 

Ingredients:

• 2 large chicken breasts (or 350g cooked chicken), diced
• 2 medium leeks, sliced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons plain flour
• 300ml chicken stock
• 150ml double cream
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
• 1 sheet ready-rolled puff pastry
• 1 egg, beaten (for glazing)

Instructions:

1. The Oven is to be Preheated: Heat to 200°C (180°C fan) or Gas Mark 6.
2. Cook the leeks and onions: Place a large pan on medium heat and add in butter. Dice the onion and chop the leeks before adding them in for cooking for 8-10 minutes or until they have turned soft.
3. Make the sauce: Whisk and gradually add chicken stock until you get the required consistency, then simmer.
4. Add the Cream: It’s time to add the double cream to the mixture, then add salt and pepper to it along with some mustard, if you want.
5. Combine Chicken: Put in the pre-cooked chicken and leave to cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Assemble the Pie: Fill a pie dish with the mixture, cover with puff pastry, trim edges, and brush with beaten egg.
7. Bake: Cook for 25-30 minutes until golden.
8. Serve: Let the pie cool slightly and serve with mashed potatoes or veggies.

Cheesy Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie

For a richer and more indulgent version of the Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie, this recipe adds a cheesy twist. Due to the addition of cheddar cheese, the cream cheese sauce is more cheesy in this version, which would be suitable for all cheese lovers. 

Ingredients:

• 2 large chicken breasts, diced (or 350g cooked chicken)
• 2 medium leeks, sliced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons plain flour
• 300ml chicken stock
• 150ml double cream
• 100g grated cheddar cheese
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
• 1 sheet ready-rolled puff pastry
• 1 egg, beaten (for glazing)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Heat to 200°C (180°C fan) or Gas Mark 6.
2. Cook the Vegetables: Cook the onions and leeks in butter for approximately 8-10 minutes until soft.
3. Make the Cheesy Sauce: Stir in flour to form a roux, gradually add chicken stock, then double cream, cooking until thickened.
4. Add the Cheese: Remove from heat, stir in grated cheddar, mustard (optional), and season with salt and pepper.
5. Add the chicken: Mix in cooked chicken and simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Assemble the Pie: Pour the mixture into a dish, top with puff pastry, crimp edges, and brush with egg.
7. Bake: Cook for 25-30 minutes until golden.
8. Serve: Let cool slightly before serving this rich, cheesy Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie.

Mushroom and Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie

For those who enjoy mushrooms, this variation adds an earthy depth to the classic Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie. The combination of mushrooms with chicken and leeks results in a hearty, satisfying food.

Ingredients:

• 2 large chicken breasts, diced (or 350g cooked chicken)
• 2 medium leeks, sliced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 200g mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons plain flour
• 300ml chicken stock
• 150ml double cream
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 sheet ready-rolled puff pastry
• 1 egg, beaten (for glazing)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Heat to 200°C (180°C fan) or Gas Mark 6.
2. Cook the vegetables: Sauté onions, leeks, and mushrooms in butter for 10 minutes until softened and browned.
3. Make the sauce: Stir in flour, then gradually add chicken stock. Add double cream and cook until the sauce thickens.
4. Add the Chicken: Stir in cooked chicken, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Assemble the Pie: Pour the mixture into a dish, cover with puff pastry, crimp edges, and brush with egg.
6. Bake: Cook for 25-30 minutes until golden.
7. Serve: Leave it to cool for a bit and then serve this delicious mushroom and Mary Berry chicken and leek pie.

Additional Variations and Serving Suggestions

The base recipe is already wonderful, but you can play around with it. Below are some more serving suggestions: 

Bacon and Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie

When all is said and done, putting some bacon in your chicken and leek pie is a very welcome addition to the whole meal. Well-cooked bacon is included in the sour sauce, creamy sauce, and juicy chicken and gives an additional wow effect. Simply fry 100g of diced bacon or pancetta with the leeks and onions in the pan to use this method before adding the rest of the ingredients.

Herb-Infused Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie

When it comes to preparing any dish, herbs can do magic on the flavours and Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie is no exception to this. Thymes like parsley and tarragon work especially well with the flavours of chicken and leeks. 

Add a tablespoon of freshly chopped herbs to the sauce when adding the cream, or scatter some fresh parsley over the top before serving for a burst of freshness. 

For an extra aromatic twist, consider incorporating rosemary or sage in the pastry by rolling some chopped herbs into the puff pastry before placing it over the pie.

Dietary Considerations for Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie

There are simple ways of making Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie fit within the dietary limits of the individuals. 

Below are some ways in which the recipe can be adapted, though still worth it in the taste and the rich feel of this dish:

Gluten-Free Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie

If this pie is to be made gluten-free, all that is necessary is substituting the plain flour in the artisanal sauce with any gluten-free option like rice flour, cornstarch or gluten-free all-purpose flour. 

Further, you can buy gluten-free puff pastry or make your own gluten-free pie crust with gluten-free flour and butter.

Dairy-Free Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie

Also, to make the dairy-free version of the Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie, any plant-based butter substitutes, including vegan margarine and milk substitutes like coconut cream or almond milk cream can be used.  

Such substitutes provide the required ‘creaminess’ but the recipe still remains dairy-free. Alternatively, there is dairy-free puff pastry found in most supermarkets.

Conclusion

All in all, the Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie is a wonderful and flexible dish that can be made in a variety of ways depending on how fancy one wants to get. Be it the original version, the cheese version, or the mushroom version, this pie oozes warmth, comfort, and great taste.