Russian Kurnik Pie with Chicken and Rice

Name: Russian Kurnik Pie with Chicken and Rice
Prep time: 3 h
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: All-purpose flour; Unsalted butter; Sour cream; White vinegar; Egg yolk; Cooked chicken; Onion; Salt and pepper; Jasmine rice; Parsley; Butter; Mushrooms; Olive oil; Salt and pepper

A savory Russian pie filled with tender chicken and rice

Russian Kurnik Pie, also known as "Tsar's Pie," is a traditional dish that layers savory fillings like chicken, rice, and mushrooms wrapped in a golden, flaky pastry.

3 h
6
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Pastry

All-purpose flour

2 ½ cups

Unsalted butter

1 cup — chilled and cubed

Sour cream

½ cup

White vinegar

1 tbsp

Egg yolk

1 — for brushing

Chicken Filling

Cooked chicken

2 cups — shredded

Onion

1 — finely chopped

Salt and pepper

To taste

Rice Filling

Jasmine rice

1 cup — cooked

Parsley

2 tbsp — chopped

Butter

1 tsp

Mushroom Filling

Mushrooms

1 cup — sliced

Olive oil

1 tbsp

Salt and pepper

To taste

Preparation

Preparing the Pastry

Mix dry ingredients

In a large bowl, combine flour and butter. Use a pastry cutter or fork to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Ensure your butter is very cold before making the pastry.

Form the dough

Add sour cream and vinegar, mixing gently until a dough forms. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour.

Use parchment paper to roll out the dough for easier handling.

Preparing the Fillings

Prepare chicken filling

Sauté onions until translucent, then mix with shredded chicken. Season with salt and pepper.

Ensure all filling components are at room temperature before assembly.

Prepare rice filling

Combine cooked rice with parsley and a teaspoon of butter, stirring to blend.

Prepare mushroom filling

Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté mushrooms until golden brown. Season with salt and pepper.

Cooking Process

Assemble the pie

Roll out half the dough to line a greased pie dish. Layer rice filling, chicken filling, and top with mushroom filling. Cover with remaining rolled-out dough and seal edges.

Decorate the pie

Use extra dough to create decorative motifs and securely place on top of the pie. Brush with beaten egg yolk.

Bake the pie

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the kurnik for about 45-50 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.

Plating & Serving