Butter Chicken Pie
Tender chicken in a creamy tomato and butter sauce under a golden shortcrust lid, a proper British pub pie with Punjabi spicing.
Made with Makhani (butter masala) base and Shortcrust pastry. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr 20
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.30 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the onion for 6 minutes until soft. Add the chicken and brown for 5 minutes.
11 min - 2
Add your ready made makhani base (see the base recipe), the garam masala and 100 ml water. Simmer gently for 15 minutes until the chicken is tender and the sauce is thick.
15 min - 3
Stir in the cream and peas, season and tip into a 1.5 litre pie dish. Leave to cool for 20 minutes, which stops the pastry going soggy.
20 min - 4
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Roll out your ready made shortcrust pastry (see the base recipe) on a floured surface to about 3 mm thick, slightly bigger than the dish.
- 5
Lay the pastry over the filling, press the edges down and trim. Cut a small slit in the middle and brush with milk.
- 6
Bake for 30 minutes until deep golden and the filling is bubbling. Rest for 5 minutes and serve with rice or peas.
30 min
Tips
- The filling must be properly thick. A runny filling pushes the pastry up and leaks.
- A pie funnel or an upturned egg cup in the middle holds the pastry up if the dish is shallow.
- Brush with milk, not egg, to keep it egg free.
Storing and freezing
Keeps 3 days in the fridge. Reheat portions in the oven at {t180} for 20 minutes until steaming hot in the middle. Freeze the unbaked filling for up to 2 months.
Questions
Can I use puff pastry?
Yes. A sheet of ready rolled puff pastry makes a quick lid. Check the label for butter or vegetable fat if you need dairy free.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Make the filling a day ahead, chill it, then add the pastry and bake. Allow 10 extra minutes in the oven from cold.
Is it spicy?
No, it is mild and creamy. Add a chopped green chilli with the onion if you want a kick.
More made with makhani (butter masala) base
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.