**Feast Your Senses with Greek Filo Chicken Pie (Kotopita) and More: A Culinary Journey through New Year's Day Delights**
As the New Year dawns, indulge in a symphony of culinary delights with Greek filo chicken pie (kotopita), a traditional masterpiece that embodies the spirit of celebration. This delectable dish, wrapped in layers of crispy filo pastry, conceals a savory filling of tender chicken, aromatic herbs, and tangy cheese, promising an explosion of flavors in every bite. Embark on a culinary journey with our comprehensive guide, where you'll discover the secrets to crafting the perfect kotopita, along with an array of complementary recipes that will elevate your New Year's Day feast. From classic Greek salad to sweet and flaky baklava, each dish is a testament to the richness and diversity of Greek cuisine. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds and create a memorable dining experience that captures the essence of this joyous occasion.
KOTOPITA: GREEK STYLE CHICKEN IN PHYLLO PIE
Provided by Dimitra Khan
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, 200 degrees Celsius.
- Wash the chicken with cold water and pat it dry. Make sure to remove anything that may be inside the cavity.
- Pour the olive oil over the chicken and season both sides with the herbs and spices.
- Cover the chicken with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake uncovered 40 additional minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Allow to cool completely.
- In the meantime make the filling by cooking the garlic cloves with the diced onions and oil in a pan for about 15 minutes or until soft.
- Add the diced bell peppers, season with some salt and pepper and cook 5-6 minutes or until they soften and release their juices.
- When the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the meat and set the bones aside to make broth another day.
- Shred the meat or chop it. About 4 cups are needed for this recipe.
- Add the meat and the sautéed pepper mixture to a large bowl and mix well to combine.
- Make the béchamel sauce by combining the olive oil and flour to a saucepan. Cook over medium heat while whisking until it becomes slightly toasted.
- Add the milk, salt. pepper, and nutmeg. Whisk well to combine. Take care to not add too much salt. There will be lots of cheese in the filling which is already salty.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and continue whisking until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and add about a cup of this mixture to the eggs. Whisk to incorporate and to temper them.
- Add the egg mixture to the saucepan and whisk well to combine.
- Pour the béchamel sauce into the mixing bowl with the filling. Add the cheeses and mix well.
- Add some fresh thyme and taste to see if any more salt and pepper is needed.
- I always add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. It's up to you to do the same or to just leave it out.
- Set the filling aside.
- Note: Phyllo dough comes in various thicknesses. The thinner the phyllo, the more sheets will be in a pack. The thicker phyllo will have fewer sheets since it is sold by weight. I usually buy the #4 thickness. Any phyllo will do.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, 170 degrees Celsius.
- Remove the phyllo from its packaging. Separate it into 2 equal stacks. One will be for the bottom and the other for the top of the pie. I like to use a little more for the bottom and less for the top. It's a matter of personal preference. The pie will still be delicious either way.
- Brush the baking pan with melted butter.
- Take 2-4 sheets of phyllo and place them at the 12:00 position of the pan (as if you were looking at a clock)placing half in the pan and the other half should hang out of the pan.
- Drizzle some melted butter on top of the phyllo.
- Take 2-4 more phyllo sheets and place them at the 3:00 position of the baking pan, half in half hanging out.
- Drizzle them with some more melted butter.
- Take 2-4 more phyllo sheets and place them down in the bottom of the pan. Drizzle with melted butter.
- Take 2-4 phyllo sheets and place them at the 9:00 position of the baking pan. Drizzle with butter.
- Pour all of the filling onto the pan and cover it with the phyllo that is hanging outside of the pan.
- Drizzle with melted butter.
- Keep taking 2-4 stacks of phyllo and place them in the pan, tucking the edges in really well. Drizzle with melted butter until all of the phyllo runs out.
- Scour the pie into 12 equal pieces and pour the remaining butter all over the pie. Sprinkle thetop with some sesame seeds.
- Bake 45 -60 minutes or until the pie is golden brown on top and the filling is bubbling.
- Sometimes, it can take 1 hour and 15 minutes to be ready.
- Allow the pie at least 20-30 minutes to rest at room temperature so that the filling sets and it will be easy to slice and serve.
- Enjoy!
KOTOPITA (CHICKEN PHYLLO PIE)
Make and share this Kotopita (Chicken Phyllo Pie) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Scarlett516
Categories < 4 Hours
Time 1h10m
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and leeks and sauté until the onions are translucent and the leeks are tender. This should take about 10 minutes.
- Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, rice, mint, and raisins. Stir.
- Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- Put the shredded chicken, eggs, and grated cheese in a large mixing bowl. Mix until well combined. Add the onion and leek mixture and mix well.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F
- Lightly grease a 9"x13" pan. Place a layer of the phyllo sheets on the bottom of the pan. Brush the sheets with the butter/olive oil mixture.
- Add the chicken mixture, making sure to spread in an even layer, and top with a layer of phyllo sheets.
- Bake for 40 minutes, or until golden brown.
GREEK CHICKEN IN FILO (KOTOPITA)
Handling Filo Dough: If possible, buy filo that has not been frozen. It can be found in the refrigerator section of most Greek and some Middle Eastern delis. Let the package come to room temperature before opening it. The sheets are easier to work with at room temperature. Remove the sheets you are working with and spray or brush them with oil, butter or non stick cooking spray as quickly as possible. Keep the unused portions covered with a towel or plastic wrap. Work quickly; do not expose reserved sheets to the air or they will dry out and disintegrate. Sprinkle bread crumbs between the layers to keep them from sticking together when they bake; this is particularly helpful if you plan to refrigerate or freeze the recipe before baking. Some cooks work on a lightly dampened towel, but I find it makes the dough soggy.
Provided by Olha7397
Categories Savory Pies
Time 1h30m
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Rinse chicken pieces. In a large heavy Dutch oven, add 1/4 cup butter. When hot, add the chicken. Cover. Cook, turning without browning, for about 15 minutes.
- Remove the chicken pieces and cool slightly. Remove bones and skin from chicken and discard. Chop chicken meat. Set aside.
- Melt 2 Tablespoons butter in a skillet. Add onion, leek, celery, garlic, parsley, and pine nuts. Saute until vegetables are limp.
- Melt remaining butter in a saucepan and blend in flour. Cook 2 minutes. Stir in stock. Simmer until sauce boils. Cool. Stir in cream, eggs, nutmeg, dill, chicken, vegetables, add wine if sauce seems too thick. Season with salt and pepper.
- Butter a 12 x 9 x 3 inch baking pan. Line it with 6 sheets of filo, brushing each filo sheet with butter.
- Spread chicken filling evenly over filo sheet. Top with 6 buttered filo sheets.
- Bake at 350°F about 50 minutes, or until golden in color. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve warm. 8 to 10 serving.
- CAI Greek Cookbook.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 674, Fat 44.7, SaturatedFat 17.8, Cholesterol 225.7, Sodium 499.8, Carbohydrate 38.2, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 2.5, Protein 27.9
Tips:
- To save time, use store-bought filo dough. Look for it in the freezer section of your grocery store.
- If you have time, make your own filo dough. It's not difficult, but it is time-consuming. You can find a recipe for homemade filo dough online.
- Make sure the filling is completely cool before assembling the pie. Otherwise, the filo dough will become soggy.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the pie. This will help prevent the filo dough from tearing.
- Serve the pie warm or at room temperature. It's also delicious the next day.
- Garnish the pie with fresh herbs, such as oregano or parsley, before serving.
Conclusion:
Greek filo chicken pie is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. The combination of chicken, cheese, and filo dough is sure to please everyone at the table. With a little planning, you can have this pie on the table in no time. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting dish to try, give Greek filo chicken pie a try. You won't be disappointed!
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