Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Cottage Pie
Indulge in the comfort of this Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Cottage Pie, a delightful dish that encapsulates the essence of hearty home cooking. Juicy chicken fillets are poached to perfection and combined with vibrant broccoli florets, all enveloped in a rich, velvety sauce made from wholesome homemade stock. Topped with a generous layer of creamy mashed potatoes and a sprinkle of melted cheese, this pie is baked until golden brown, offering a crispy topping that contrasts beautifully with the tender filling. Perfect as a family meal or for entertaining guests, serve it alongside crisp French beans for an added touch of freshness that complements the pie beautifully. Enjoy every comforting bite of this warming dish that is sure to become a favorite in your household.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken fillets
6 (poached and cut into bite-sized chunks)
broccoli
440 g (steamed and cut into small florets)
medium potatoes
8 (peeled and boiled until tender)
butter
75 g (melted)
milk
150 ml (added to mashed potatoes and sauce)
flour
3 tablespoons (used to make the roux for the sauce)
salt and pepper
to taste (used for seasoning)
cheese, grated
50 g (sprinkled on top of the pie)
Instructions
1
Begin by peeling and boiling the potatoes in salted water until tender, then drain and mash. Mix in the butter, milk, salt, and pepper to achieve a creamy texture. Set aside.
2
In a large saucepan, poach the chicken fillets in 1.5 pints of water for approximately 15 minutes, or until fully cooked. Reserve the poaching liquid as it will be used for the sauce. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the liquid, let it cool slightly, and cut into bite-sized chunks. Arrange the chicken evenly in the bottom of a large oven dish.
3
Steam the broccoli florets until tender, then drain and quickly run cold water over them to preserve their vibrant color. Add the broccoli to the oven dish with the chicken, mixing them gently together.
4
To prepare the sauce, start by melting the butter in a saucepan. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute until it forms a roux. Gradually add in the reserved poaching liquid while continuously stirring until the mixture thickens. Finally, incorporate the milk (150 ml), season with salt and pepper, and stir until smooth and rich.
5
Pour the creamy sauce over the chicken and broccoli mixture in the oven dish. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top, smoothing them down with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle grated cheese over the mashed potato layer for an extra layer of flavor.
6
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the pie for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy. Serve hot, alongside sliced French beans for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Cottage Pie?
It is a comforting dish featuring poached chicken fillets and broccoli in a rich sauce, topped with mashed potatoes and cheese.
How many chicken fillets are required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 6 chicken fillets.
What amount of broccoli is needed?
You will need 440 grams of broccoli cut into small florets.
How many potatoes should I use?
The recipe calls for 8 medium-sized potatoes.
How do I prepare the chicken?
Poach the chicken fillets in 1.5 pints of water for about 15 minutes, then cut them into bite-sized chunks.
Should I discard the chicken poaching liquid?
No, you should reserve the poaching liquid to use as a base for the creamy sauce.
How is the broccoli prepared before adding it to the pie?
Steam the florets until tender and then run cold water over them to preserve their vibrant color.
What ingredients are used for the mashed potato topping?
The topping consists of boiled potatoes mixed with butter, milk, salt, and pepper.
How do I make the sauce for the cottage pie?
Make a roux with butter and flour, then gradually stir in the reserved poaching liquid and milk until thickened.
How much butter is needed in total?
The recipe requires 75 grams of butter.
How much milk is used in the recipe?
You will need 150 ml of milk for the potatoes and the sauce.
What amount of flour is used for the roux?
Three tablespoons of flour are used to create the sauce base.
What type of cheese topping is used?
The recipe uses 50 grams of grated cheese sprinkled over the mashed potatoes.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 180°C or 350°F.
How long does the pie need to bake?
The pie should be baked for approximately 20-25 minutes.
What is the recommended side dish?
It is recommended to serve the pie with sliced French beans.
How should the chicken and broccoli be arranged in the dish?
Arrange the chicken chunks evenly in a large oven dish and gently mix in the steamed broccoli.
How do I ensure the mashed potatoes are smooth?
Spread them evenly over the top of the filling and smooth them down using the back of a spoon.
Is the potato boiling water salted?
Yes, the potatoes should be boiled in salted water until they are tender.
How do I know the pie is finished baking?
The pie is ready when the cheese-potato topping is golden brown and crispy.
Can this dish be served to guests?
Yes, the recipe description notes it is perfect for family meals or for entertaining guests.
What texture should the sauce have?
The sauce should be rich, velvety, and smooth.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include chicken, broccoli, pie, cottage pie, comfort food, family meal, and savory pie.
How long should I cook the flour in the butter?
Cook the flour and butter mixture for about 1 minute until it forms a roux.
What is the primary protein in this pie?
The primary protein is chicken fillets.
Does the recipe include seasoning?
Yes, salt and pepper are used to taste for both the potatoes and the sauce.
How much water is used to poach the chicken?
1.5 pints of water are used to poach the 6 chicken fillets.
What is the final step before putting the pie in the oven?
The final assembly step is sprinkling the grated cheese over the mashed potato layer.
Is the chicken precooked before poaching?
No, the raw fillets are poached in water until fully cooked.
What provides the golden color on the topping?
The combination of mashed potatoes and 50g of grated cheese browning in the oven.