Savory Chicken Mushroom Phyllo Pie
Indulge in this delightful Savory Chicken Mushroom Phyllo Pie, a creation that's sure to please family and friends alike! This dish features a rich and creamy filling of tender chicken thighs, earthy portabella mushrooms, fresh spinach, crispy bacon, and a medley of flavorful cheeses, all perfectly encased in layers of flaky, buttery phyllo pastry. Ideal for gatherings, this recipe yields one large 15 x 9 inch pan that serves 10-12 people – perfect for sharing! Alternatively, make two 8 x 8 inch pans to bake one and freeze the other for a quick and satisfying meal on busy days. With everything you crave in one delicious package, this dish is a timeless favorite that brings comfort and joy to any table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 lb (diced)
white wine
1 cup (for poaching)
cleaned spinach
1 lb bag (washed and chopped)
large onions
2 (chopped (approx. 4 cups))
olive oil
3 tbsp (for sautéing)
portabella mushrooms
1 lb (chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
bacon
6 oz (chopped)
feta cheese
8 oz (crumbled)
gouda cheese
1 1/2 cups (shredded)
parmesan cheese
1 cup (grated)
heavy cream
1/2 cup (for filling)
eggs
5 (lightly beaten)
phyllo pastry
1 lb (thawed)
melted butter
3/4 cup (for buttering phyllo)
Instructions
1
1. In a medium saucepan, poach the chicken thighs in white wine for about 8 minutes, until just cooked. Remove the chicken, discard the cooking liquid, and allow the chicken to cool completely before dicing it into small pieces.
2
2. Prepare the spinach by rinsing the leaves and draining off excess water. In a large pan, place the spinach over high heat, covering it to steam until wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a colander, run cold water over it to stop further cooking, and press to remove as much moisture as possible. Chop finely and combine with the diced chicken in a large mixing bowl.
3
3. In a large frying pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the chopped onions for 15-17 minutes until they turn golden and caramelized. Add the chopped portabella mushrooms and continue cooking until any released liquid evaporates, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and chopped bacon, cooking for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before adding to the chicken and spinach mixture.
4
4. Once the mixture has cooled, stir in the heavy cream, crumbled feta, shredded gouda (or Swiss), and beaten eggs. Mix well and season with freshly ground black pepper to taste, keeping in mind that the cheeses may already add sufficient saltiness.
5
5. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease one 15x9 inch pan (or two 8x8 inch pans) with butter.
6
6. Layer the phyllo pastry sheets into the greased pan, generously buttering each layer. Use half of the phyllo sheets, then spoon the chicken and vegetable filling over the top. Cover the filling with the remaining phyllo sheets, buttering each layer as you go. Fold the edges inward to create a tidy finish, ensuring the top layer receives an ample butter application.
7
7. Lightly score the top layer of phyllo into sections for easier cutting after baking. Make sure not to cut through the bottom layers. Sprinkle with cold water to create steam vents.
8
8. Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes until the pastry is golden brown. For the last 20 minutes, place the pie directly on the oven floor to crisp the bottom layer. If baking from frozen, increase the baking time by 10-15 minutes, covering with foil if necessary to prevent over-browning.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Chicken Mushroom Phyllo Pie?
It is a savory dish featuring a creamy filling of chicken thighs, portabella mushrooms, spinach, bacon, and various cheeses encased in layers of buttery phyllo pastry.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken thighs, which are poached and then diced.
How should I cook the chicken for the filling?
Poach the chicken thighs in one cup of white wine for about 8 minutes until cooked, then allow them to cool before dicing.
Can I substitute the white wine when poaching the chicken?
While the recipe uses white wine for flavor, you could likely use chicken broth or water if you prefer to avoid alcohol.
How do I prepare the spinach for the pie?
Steam the cleaned spinach in a pan until wilted, rinse with cold water, and press out as much moisture as possible before chopping.
Why is it important to remove moisture from the spinach?
Removing excess water prevents the filling from becoming too watery, which would make the phyllo pastry soggy.
What kind of mushrooms should I use?
The recipe specifies 1 lb of chopped portabella mushrooms for their earthy flavor.
How long does it take to sauté the onions?
You should sauté the chopped onions for 15-17 minutes until they are golden and caramelized.
What other ingredients are sautéed with the onions?
After the onions are caramelized, you add the portabella mushrooms, minced garlic, and chopped bacon.
What cheeses are used in the filling?
The filling includes crumbled feta, shredded gouda (or Swiss), and grated parmesan cheese.
Can I use a different cheese than Gouda?
Yes, shredded Swiss cheese is a suggested alternative for the gouda.
How many eggs are required for the recipe?
The recipe requires 5 lightly beaten eggs to help bind the filling together.
Do I need to add salt to the filling mixture?
You should season with freshly ground black pepper, but be cautious with salt as the cheeses and bacon are already quite salty.
What is the recommended pan size for this pie?
You can use one large 15 x 9 inch pan or two smaller 8 x 8 inch pans.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe yields enough to serve 10 to 12 people.
Can this pie be frozen for later use?
Yes, you can make two 8 x 8 inch pans and freeze one to bake at a later date.
How do I layer the phyllo pastry?
Use half of the phyllo sheets for the bottom, buttering each layer individually, then add the filling and top with the remaining buttered sheets.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
How long should the pie bake?
The pie typically takes 50-60 minutes to bake until the pastry is golden brown.
How do I ensure the bottom of the pie is crispy?
During the last 20 minutes of baking, place the pan directly on the oven floor to crisp the bottom layer of pastry.
Why should I score the top layer of the phyllo?
Scoring the top layer into sections before baking makes it much easier to cut into clean pieces once it is finished.
What is the purpose of sprinkling cold water on the pie before baking?
Sprinkling with cold water creates steam vents which helps the pastry bake correctly.
How much butter is needed for the phyllo pastry?
You will need approximately 3/4 cup of melted butter to brush onto the layers.
What should I do if baking the pie from frozen?
Increase the baking time by 10-15 minutes and cover with foil if necessary to prevent the top from over-browning.
How do I finish the edges of the pastry?
Fold the edges of the phyllo inward to create a tidy finish before applying the final layer of butter.
How much bacon is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 oz of chopped bacon.
What is the preparation for the onions?
You will need 2 large onions, which is approximately 4 cups when chopped.
How much heavy cream is in the filling?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of heavy cream for the filling.
What oil is used for sautéing the vegetables?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of olive oil for sautéing.
Should the phyllo be thawed before use?
Yes, the 1 lb of phyllo pastry should be thawed before you begin layering it in the pan.