The Ultimate Creamy Chicken Leek Tarragon Pie

Welcome to the Pie Life: Your New Freezer Hero

Do you ever get home absolutely knackered? Like, proper exhausted? I certainly do. That is exactly why I want to show you How To Make Your Favorite British comfort food classics in bulk.

We are talking about the ultimate, ready when-you-are, Creamy chicken and leek pie . This isn't just dinner. It’s a lifesaver.

Honestly, having ready-made Freezer Meals is my secret weapon against ordering pizza. I learned the hard way that not all recipes work for freezing.

My first attempt at Freezer Cooking resulted in a watery mess. The bottom crust turned into mush! But I fixed it.

This robust recipe is designed particularly to be one of the best make-ahead Meals you will ever try.

This pie is a glorious mixture of tender chicken and sweet leeks. We use a hint of fresh tarragon. That flavour twist makes it feel fancy, even though it’s simple.

It’s perfect for Batch cooking recipes for beginners . You get proper Sunday dinner vibes on a Tuesday night.

The biggest challenge people face is knowing How to freeze chicken pie without ruining the pastry. We focus heavily on this.

The trick is making the sauce unbelievably thick. This helps Prevent soggy bottom pastry when you bake it later. We have designed this pie to be baked directly from frozen.

This makes the flaky puff pastry perfect every single time.

Why spend the effort now? Because you are investing in future sanity. These are brilliant, comforting, and importantly, Healthy Freezer Meals .

They offer high protein and plenty of veg. You get six generous portions ready to go. The total hands-on time is just over an hour.

That’s six future dinners sorted. That is amazing value for money and effort, right?

Ready to build up your stash of Frozen Meals ? Let’s dive into what you need to make this freezer hero happen.

The Essential Toolkit: Getting Ready for Serious Freezer Cooking

Right then, if you want truly How To Make Your Favorite Creamy chicken and leek pie the one that saves your life when you’re completely knackered you need the right battlefield prep.

Seriously, getting organized is half the battle when you’re doing serious Freezer Cooking . This isn’t just a regular bake; we are creating make-ahead Meals perfection, so a few ingredient quality checks are a must.

What You Need for that Proper British Comfort Food Classics Vibe

I learned the hard way that cheap chicken thighs turn to sad, dry mush in the freezer. Don’t do that to yourself!

The Essential Filling Components

For the main event, grab 1.5 lbs (680 g) of boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They handle the freeze thaw cycle like champions.

Next, the leeks. You need 3 large leeks . And look, I know cleaning leeks is one of life’s non-glamorous jobs, but you must rinse them properly.

Sand in a pie filling? Oh my gosh, the worst.

The absolute key to successfully freezing this pie is the thickener. Grab 3 Tbsp (45 g) of all-purpose flour for the roux.

This is non-negotiable if you want to Prevent soggy bottom pastry later. Trust me, I learned that lesson the messy way.

Flavor Secrets and Aromatics

This is where we go from "nice" to "wow." Tarragon is the secret weapon here. It’s got that lovely anise like brightness that lifts the whole thing.

You need 2 Tbsp (30 ml) of fresh chopped tarragon. If you absolutely can’t find it, fresh dill or chervil is a decent substitute, but honestly, try to find the tarragon.

And for the creamy richness? 1/2 cup (120 ml) of double cream (heavy cream). That makes the texture velvety, even after it’s been tucked away in the deep freeze.

Gear for Healthy Freezer Meals Success

You don't need fancy chef gadgets for this Batch cooking recipes for beginners entry. The goal is easy production of robust Frozen Meals .

You need a sturdy, large saucepan. A good Dutch oven is my go-to. It keeps the heat steady while we make that all-important thick filling.

Crucially, if you’re serious about Freezer Meals , swap your favourite ceramic dish for disposable 9 inch (23 cm) deep dish foil tins.

They go straight from assembly to freezer, and then straight into the oven. This makes stacking and storing your pies so much easier, and you don’t risk cracking Mum's casserole dish when freezing How to freeze chicken pie .

Once the pie is solid, just make sure to use cling film, then heavy duty foil. Double wrapping is the hero here, protecting your precious contents from freezer burn.

Setting Up For Success: Batch Cooking Basics

Honestly, the hardest part of Batch cooking recipes for beginners isn't the cooking itself, it’s the clearing up! But if you get your prep right, everything else flows.

Before you start dreaming of those incredible Healthy Freezer Meals , take 30 minutes to get organized.

First, your essential mise en place . This is just a fancy French term for "get your stuff ready." Chop the chicken.

Slice the leeks and I mean thoroughly rinse those bad boys! If you skip that, you’ll get gritty pie filling. Ask me how I know.

I once served a lovely, sandy textured pie to my mother-in-law. Oh, the shame!

This prep work is how to make your favourite weekend food easier on a weeknight.

Creating That Ultimate Creamy Chicken Filling

This pie is a proper British comfort food classics . The secret to this specific recipe, especially for Freezer Cooking , is making the sauce ridiculously thick.

Think gravy that can stand up by itself. This is how we prevent soggy bottom pastry .

step-by-step Sauce Mastery

1. Sear the Chicken: Use high heat and a little oil. We want deep golden bits on the chicken. Sear the 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken thighs in batches. Don’t cook it fully; just get that lovely colour. Remove and set aside.
2. Soften the Leeks: Reduce the heat. Add 3 large sliced leeks to the pan. Cook low and slow for 8– 10 minutes until they are totally soft. This releases their sweetness. Add the garlic for the last minute.
3. The Roux Magic: Sprinkle the 3 Tbsp of flour over the leeks. Stir constantly for 2 minutes . This cooks out the raw flour taste. Honestly, this is critical for flavour. If you use wine, deglaze the pan now.
4. Thicken Up: Gradually whisk in the 3 cups of chicken stock. Keep whisking until it’s smooth and thick. It needs to simmer for about 5 minutes .
5. Finish the Flavour: Stir the chicken back in. Add the 1/2 cup of double cream and the fresh tarragon. Check your salt and pepper. You have just made a beautiful, rich Creamy chicken and leek pie filling.

The Freezer Hero Secret Weapon

Did you know Brits eat around 360 million pies every single year? This Frozen Meals recipe ensures you always have one ready.

Here is the absolute, non-negotiable step for great make-ahead Meals :

Crucial Step: Transfer the hot filling immediately into a wide, shallow dish. It must be chilled completely in the refrigerator for at least 60 minutes .

If the filling is even slightly warm when it meets the pastry, you are doomed to a soggy base. Trust me on this.

Once it's stone cold, assemble your pie.

Pro Tips for Perfect Freezing

If you want to know How to freeze chicken pie like a professional, here are my top three lessons learned the hard way.

First, Always Bake From Frozen . Never, ever thaw an assembled raw pie before baking. Thawing makes the pastry wet. Preheat your oven to 375° F ( 190° C) .

Bake the pie directly from the freezer for 70 80 minutes . Shield the top with foil after the first 30 minutes to prevent burning.

The filling needs to reach a piping hot 165° F ( 74° C) internally.

Second, think about logistics. Use disposable foil dishes for your Freezer Meals . This frees up your nice ceramic dishes and makes stacking and storage in the freezer way easier.

Third, wrap properly! Once the pie is assembled and frozen solid on a baking sheet, wrap it tightly in cling film first, then in heavy duty foil.

This prevents freezer burn and keeps your future dinner delicious. Enjoy your new Freezer Hero status!

Tucking In: Tips for Your Creamy Chicken and Leek Pie Hero

Honestly, making the pie is only half the battle. Knowing how to store it and serve it is key to transforming it into proper make-ahead Meals .

This section is all about the little genius tricks I’ve learned over the years. You deserve zero stress when dinner rolls around.

Serving It Up: Plating a British Comfort Food Classic

This beautiful pie needs good mates on the plate, you know? It’s a hearty centrepiece already, so don't overthink it.

For a true taste of British comfort food classics , you need mash. Seriously, a fluffy, buttery mashed potato is non-negotiable.

It’s perfect for scooping up every drop of that creamy chicken and leek pie sauce. Then, pile on a side of bright green stuff steamed green beans or classic garden peas.

It cuts right through the richness. Oh, and here's a stat for you: Research shows that 9 out of 10 Brits agree that a pie is naked without something green next to it.

Fact.

Storage Success: How To Make Your Favorite Freezer Meals

Let's talk about turning this into brilliant Healthy Freezer Meals . This is essential for Batch cooking recipes for beginners . This section tells you How To Make Your Favorite Frozen Meals successful and guarantees no heartbreak when you bake it.

In the fridge, the baked pie will keep brilliantly for up to 4 days . Just cover it tightly. If you went for the unbaked Freezer Meals option the whole point of this recipe it must be triple wrapped.

Cling film first, then heavy foil. This is crucial for preventing freezer burn . That pie will be good for up to 3 months ! Seriously.

When reheating, whether it’s a slice or the whole thing, keep it gentle. If it's frozen , follow the instructions to bake it straight away.

Never, ever thaw an unbaked pie first. That’s How to freeze chicken pie without getting a soggy bottom, mate.

Simple Swaps and Adaptations

This recipe is flexible! It’s what makes Freezer Cooking so easy.

If you want a lighter version, swap the double cream for evaporated milk or half and-half. It still thickens up nicely.

For a simple seasonal twist, when autumn hits, chuck in a handful of diced butternut squash or swede (rutabaga) alongside the leeks.

It adds sweetness and lovely colour. If you’re cooking for a veggie, swapping the chicken for hearty white beans and mushrooms works a treat too.

Nutrition Basics (Keep it Real)

Look, this is a pie. It’s comforting. It's not salad. But because we used lean chicken and lots of leeks, you’ve got a massive hit of protein and fibre in there.

It’s packed with goodness and keeps you full. Honestly, I find that knowing I have a stash of these reliable, make-ahead Meals in the freezer just makes life easier.

It’s a win for your soul and your dinner plans! Enjoy, mate!