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Mouthwatering Brazilian Chicken Pot Pie

As seen in Satisfying Entrées for Every Table.

Empadão de Frango, the classic Brazilian Chicken Pot Pie, stands out as a beloved comfort food across Brazil. Inside you'll find a thick, luscious filling that combines pulled chicken with corn, olives, hearts of palm, and mixed veggies, all swimming in zesty tomato sauce with aromatic seasonings. The outside features a golden, butter-rich crust that crumbles just right. It's stunning on any table, simple to make, and fills you up nicely. Anyone looking for big, exciting tastes should give this hearty meal a try.

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Barbara Chef
Created By Sasha
Last updated on Wed, 23 Apr 2025 01:00:56 GMT
A close up of a chicken pot pie. Save Pin
A close up of a chicken pot pie. | foodthingle.com

This South American chicken pot pie elevates a basic family dinner into an eye-catching main dish. Mixing shredded chicken chunks, vibrant veggies, and rich sauce inside flaky pastry makes the ultimate comfort food with Brazilian flair. It needs a bit of time to put together, but you'll find it's totally worth it.

I whipped up this empadão for the first time at a Brazil-themed get-together, and it's now my go-to dish when hosting. The rich buttery shell paired with that tasty filling always wows my guests, and they can't help but ask me how to make it.

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

A pastry with meat and vegetables on a plate. Save Pin
A pastry with meat and vegetables on a plate. | foodthingle.com

Palm hearts play a meaningful role in my cooking story. While visiting Brazil, I watched an elderly local woman create this very dish, carefully slicing these soft palm centers while sharing how they naturally grow in the Amazon. Nowadays when I toss them into my empadão, I think back to her expert touch and warm hospitality.

Make Ahead Options

A chicken pot pie on a plate. Save Pin
A chicken pot pie on a plate. | foodthingle.com

Ingredient Substitutions

Cultural Background

Common Recipe Questions

→ What is the filling made of?

You'll find shredded chicken mixed with corn, olives, peas, hearts of palm, and other veggies all blended with tomato sauce and various spices.

→ Can I prepare the filling in advance?

You can totally make the filling up to 24 hours before and keep it in your fridge until you're ready to bake.

→ What can I use instead of hearts of palm?

Don't worry if you can't find hearts of palm - chopped artichokes work great as a substitute, or you can just leave them out completely.

→ How do I achieve a flakier crust?

Try swapping out half the butter with shortening and you'll get an even flakier pastry texture.

→ What side dishes pair well with this pie?

This pie tastes amazing with a fresh green salad on the side or some colorful roasted veggies.

→ Can I make this vegetarian?

You can easily skip the chicken and throw in mushrooms, spinach or zucchini instead. Just use veggie broth to keep all the tasty flavors going strong.

Authentic Brazilian Chicken Pie

Tasty Brazilian pie packed with chicken & fresh veggies.

Preparation Time
55 Minutes
Cooking Time
30 Minutes
Overall Time
85 Minutes
Created By: Sasha

Recipe Type: Main Dishes

Skill Level: Moderate

Regional Style: Brazilian

Output: 10 Number of Servings

Special Diets: ~

What You'll Need

→ Chicken Filling

01 2 tbsp olive oil
02 2 medium onions, diced small
03 2 garlic cloves, crushed
04 2 tomatoes, diced
05 2 pounds shredded cooked chicken breast
06 1/2 cup green olives, chopped up
07 1 cup corn (if you want)
08 1 cup green peas (if you want)
09 1 cup chopped hearts of palm (if you want)
10 1 cup tomato sauce
11 A few splashes of hot sauce
12 2 cups chicken broth
13 1 tbsp flour mixed in 1/3 cup milk
14 1/2 cup parsley, chopped up
15 Salt and pepper to your liking

→ Crust

16 5 cups flour
17 1 tsp salt
18 3 egg yolks
19 1/4 to 1/2 cup cold water
20 3 sticks butter (12 oz), cut into chunks
21 1 egg yolk, beaten lightly (for the top)

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Pour olive oil into a pan over medium heat. Cook onions and garlic until see-through, around 2 minutes.

Step 02

Throw in tomatoes and let them soften for about 2-3 minutes.

Step 03

Mix in your chicken, olives, corn, peas, hearts of palm, tomato sauce, and a bit of hot sauce.

Step 04

Pour in chicken broth and the flour/milk mix. Let it bubble gently while stirring now and then until it gets thick and most liquid disappears (takes about 10 minutes).

Step 05

Toss in parsley, give it a taste, and add salt and pepper as needed. Let it cool all the way down.

Step 06

Mix flour and salt in a big bowl. Add in those egg yolks.

Step 07

Put butter in and use your fingers to squish it all together until you see small crumbs forming.

Step 08

Slowly pour in water (you might not need it all) and keep mixing until your dough sticks together. Wrap it up and cool it for 20 minutes.

Step 09

Get your oven hot at 350°F (175°C).

Step 10

Take about two-thirds of your dough, roll it into a 12-inch circle and push it into a 9-inch springform pan, going up the sides too. Poke it with a fork all over.

Step 11

Dump in all that cooled chicken stuff and make the top nice and flat.

Step 12

Roll out what's left of your dough and put it on top. Press the edges together, then cut a couple holes in the middle so steam can get out.

Step 13

Spread that beaten egg yolk all over the top.

Step 14

Pop it in the oven for 25-35 minutes until it turns golden brown and feels hot throughout.

Step 15

Let it sit a bit before you cut into it.

Additional Tips

  1. You can cook the filling the day before and keep it in the fridge.
  2. Try making the crust with 50% butter and 50% shortening for a crust that's a bit flakier.
  3. Pair with a basic green salad to make it a complete dinner.

Allergen Information

Always verify ingredient labels for allergens and consult with a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Has dairy products.
  • Contains wheat gluten.
  • Has egg ingredients.

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are best used as an estimate and shouldn't replace professional health advice.
  • Calories: 510
  • Fat Content: 31 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Protein: 26 g