Authentic Royal Chicken Pastilla
Welcome to my table! If there is one dish that represents the absolute pinnacle of Moroccan celebration, it is the Pastilla. Brought to Fes by Andalusian refugees centuries ago, this masterpiece dances on the edge of sweet and savory. Imagine a delicate, shattering crust of 'warqa' pastry concealing a deeply spiced chicken filling, creamy eggs, and crunchy sugared almonds. It is culinary royalty.
Nutritional Values (Per Serving)
Ingredients
- 1 pack of authentic Warqa pastry (or high-quality phyllo dough)
- 1 Whole Chicken, skinless and cut into pieces
- 6 large Eggs, beaten
- 200g blanched Almonds, fried until golden
- 3 large Onions, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 cup Icing Sugar (plus more for dusting)
- A generous pinch of pure Saffron threads
- 100g Melted Butter for layering
- 1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil
Step-by-Step Instructions
What makes the perfect sweet and savory Pastilla?
The secret lies in the three distinct layers. First, braise the chicken with the onions, saffron, ginger, and a splash of water until it falls off the bone. Remove the chicken, shred it finely, and discard the bones.
Now for the sauce: reduce the remaining onion broth until thick and caramelized. Pour in the beaten eggs, stirring constantly on low heat until they form a creamy, savory scramble that absorbs all the rich sauce.
For the crunch: crush your fried golden almonds with icing sugar and a heavy dash of cinnamon.
Assemble the masterpiece: butter a round baking dish and overlap your pastry leaves in a circular pattern, letting the edges hang over. Layer the shredded chicken, then the savory egg mixture, and finally the sweet crunchy almonds.
Fold the overhanging pastry back over the top to seal the pie, brush generously with melted butter, and bake at 200°C until incredibly crispy and golden. Dust geometrically with icing sugar and cinnamon before serving.
Medina Kitchen Experts
Authentic recipe sourced and verified by our local culinary experts. Deeply rooted in Moroccan heritage and family traditions.
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Pair It With
Trust us, have a glass with this. It cuts the richness perfectly.
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