Christmas
by: Olia Hercules
November28,2017
4.5
4 Ratings
- Serves 3
Jump to Recipe
Author Notes
This extremely simple dish, taught to me by an Armenian friend, is one of the best ways to turn chicken leftovers into something mind-blowing—although it would be totally worth poaching a whole chicken just to make this. Herbs, seasoned yogurt, barberries, toasted sunflower seeds, chicken, crispy top – I can’t think of anything better to eat on a Monday night. If you live alone, or like me with a small child, you can make a mini version using a smaller baking sheet.
Excerpted from Kaukasis: A Culinary Journey through Georgia, Azerbaijan & Beyond by Olia Herclues (Weldon Owen, 2017) —Olia Hercules
- Test Kitchen-Approved
What You'll Need
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons(3. oz/100 g) Homemade Matsoni (page 29) or plain yogur
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
- pinch of saffron threads (optional)
- a pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoondried barberries or golden raisins
- 1 cup(7 oz/200 g) poached chicken meat, torn into chunks
- 1 tablespoonchopped green onions
- 1 tablespoonchopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoonchopped dill
- 1 tablespoonchopped tarragon
- sea salt flakes
- 1/4 cup(2 oz/50 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 pieceArmenian or Persian lavash (or any other large, thin flatbread)
- 1 tablespoonsunflower seeds (or sesame, pumpkin, or linseed)
Directions
- To make a filling, mix the yogurt, garlic, saffron, cayenne, and barberries together, then add the chicken, green onions, and herbs. Season well with salt and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a shallow 6 x 8–inch (15 x 20–cm) baking dish with some of the melted butter.
- Place one layer of lavash in the dish (tear it to fit), brush with melted butter, then spread the filling over. Cover with another layer of lavash. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with the seeds.
- Bake until the pie is heated through, the top is golden, and the seeds are toasted, 15 minutes.
- Tip In addition to being a perfect way in which to use up leftover cooked chicken, this is also a great way to use up stale flatbreads; because you cover them with butter and the filling is so moist, the flatbreads revive beautifully in the oven.
Tags:
- Pie
- Eastern European
- Chicken
- Meat
- Green Onion/Scallion
- Saffron
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
- Christmas
- Easter
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11 Reviews
S. R. January 18, 2018
Absolutely delicious, only thing I did differently, I removed the raisins because yuk, and doubled the garlic. I know some are asking about using biscuits, I would recommend the lavash, it keeps the dish light and savory.
Allison December 20, 2017
This is an excellent recipe - a brilliantly delicious way to repurpose leftover roast or poached chicken. Thank you!
Irenehope December 14, 2017
I made this dish tonight and we enjoyed it very much. I didn't have lavash, so I used chapati. It fit well and I used two pieces for the pie, one top and one bottom. Should the top layer be more than one piece thick? In the photo it looks like smaller pieces are layered. With 200 grams of chicken in it, we split the pie into two servings. It was the perfect amount.
Connie T. December 7, 2017
I don't know. I am so spoiled by my pastry-topped pot pies, I don't know if the lavash will cut it. I always keep a batch in my freezer. Even canned biscuits might work better for me. Anyone else?
Olia H. December 8, 2017
A proper Persian lavash doused in clarified butter really works, I promise!
Wuzzel T. December 5, 2017
Serves 6? With a single cup of chicken and a tablespoon of barberries (or raisins)? Doesn't sound right.
mj December 7, 2017
I agree Wuzzel, the recipe seems a little sparse, but this is a great concept that I could certainly improve upon...
Kimberly B. December 7, 2017
True. Should be like 3-4
Olia H. December 8, 2017
Apologies everyone! You are absolutely right - thank you so much for spotting it - it should be 3 portions! I will email the team. Sorry, must have been my fault.
Kristen M. December 8, 2017
All set here! The recipe is updated to serve 3.
foodyjudy October 7, 2018
Well, one cup of chicken isn’t enough for 2 unless you are on weight Watchers and unless you are having a huge salad . I added 1 more cup of chicken and a bit more yoghurt. It’s in the oven...we shall see.
