Chicken & Ham Pie: A Cozy Hogwarts-Inspired Feast
Hello, friends! Today is what I’d call "toasty"—a balmy 3°F here in Traverse City, Michigan! At least the sun is out, which feels like a small miracle after the post-holiday haze. It’s been so cold even the chickens’ heated water tank keeps freezing over, so I’ve been making what I call “soup” to keep them hydrated. It’s really just warm water with chia seeds, blueberries, watermelon chunks, and—yes—dried mealworms. They seem to appreciate the effort, though I suspect they’d rather be in a sunny meadow somewhere.
I hope you all survived the great TikTok drought of 2025. What a saga, right? A whole 12 hours offline! I don’t use TikTok much myself, but I popped on to see the chaos, and it was back up before I could even scroll properly. So much for that drama!
This time of year can feel cold and dreary after the light and joy of the holidays, so Eddie and I like to keep the celebrations going. His birthday in early January is a built-in excuse to treat ourselves! This year, we celebrated with an amazing Italian dinner downtown, followed by drinks at the top of the Park Hotel, which always reminds us of Top of the Mark in San Francisco. Afterward, we headed home for cake, ice cream, and presents. Simple, sweet, and very us.
When we’re not out celebrating, you’ll find us at home curled up for cozy movie marathons. January is all about The Hunger Games and Harry Potter, and February? That’s Star Wars month. We’ve already rewatched The Hunger Games, so last week we started working our way through Harry Potter. There’s something magical about watching those movies when it’s icy outside—it feels like an escape to another (very academic) world.
This year, we added a new tradition: a Harry Potter-themed dinner night! I scoured the internet for recipes inspired by the books and movies and landed on a very British classic: chicken and ham pie. It felt cozy, hearty, and absolutely perfect for a cold winter’s night. Some of the recipes I found were a bit confusing, so I decided to create my own coherent, Hogwarts-worthy version to share with you!
Chicken & Ham Pie: A Hogwarts-Inspired Recipe
This dish is comfort food at its finest—simple, satisfying, and a bit magical (especially since Pillsbury pie crust makes it so easy). Let’s dive in!
Ingredients
For the Filling:
2 tbsp butter (unsalted, or "wizardly churned" if you prefer)
2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or "Muggle-grade self-raising flour")
1 cup chicken stock (a goblet of golden broth works wonders)
1/2 cup milk (fresh from Hagrid’s bucket if you can swing it)
1/2 tsp dried thyme (or a sprig fresh from Professor Sprout's greenhouse)
2 chicken breasts, cooked and diced (use roast or leftover—it’s like magic either way!)
1 cup smoked ham slices, diced (Honeydukes ham optional but encouraged!)
3 carrots, diced (chopped with the precision of a Potions Master)
3 celery stalks, diced (a crisp, crunchy addition)
Salt and pepper to taste (a pinch of this, a dash of that)
For the Pastry:
- 1 box Pillsbury premade pie crust (top and bottom; no charm required!)
- 1 egg, beaten (for a golden crust)
Instructions
1. Preheat the Cauldron (er, Oven).
Set your oven to 400°F (200°C, or “medium heat” in magical terms). Dust your work surface lightly with flour, readying yourself for pastry wizardry.
2. Conjure the Filling.
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat (no need for a fire-breathing dragon here). Stir in the flour to make a roux, and cook until golden and bubbling, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the chicken stock and milk, stirring constantly, until you have a silky, thickened sauce. Add the thyme, chicken, ham, and peas. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside to cool slightly.
3. Prepare Your Pastry Canvas.
Roll out one sheet of the Pillsbury pie crust and gently press it into a 9-inch pie dish. Let it drape like Harry’s Invisibility Cloak, but ensure it’s snug against the sides and base. Trim any excess with a sharp knife or spellbinding precision.
4. Fill & Seal the Magic.
Pour the filling into your prepared crust, spreading it evenly. Unroll the second sheet of pastry and carefully lay it over the top. Pinch the edges together (a wand-shaped fork works well here) and trim any overhang. Cut a few slits in the top for steam to escape—think lightning bolt shapes for added flair!
5. Enchant the Crust.
Brush the top crust with the beaten egg for that golden, bakery-worthy finish. If you’re feeling whimsical, use leftover pastry scraps to create decorative shapes—stars, moons, or even a tiny Hedwig if your skills allow.
6. Bake the Pie.
Place your pie on a baking tray to catch any drips (no one wants to clean up after a cauldron explosion!). Bake for 30–35 minutes or until the crust is beautifully golden and crisp.
7. Serve & Revel.
Allow the pie to cool for 5 minutes—if you can resist! Slice it up and serve with a side of mashed potatoes, roasted veg, or simply a goblet of butterbeer.
Final Touches
We finished the night with a Harry Potter candy tasting. The chocolate frogs were delicious, and while I couldn’t get behind some of the Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans (dirt-flavored, really?), the gummy jelly slugs were a hit.
This pie was everything we hoped for—cozy, flavorful, and even better the next day. Plus, it’s versatile: save the filling if you’re keto most of the time (like me), or make mini pies for a handheld snack.
While chicken and ham pie isn’t explicitly mentioned in the Harry Potter books, I like to think it’s the kind of hearty dish Molly Weasley would whip up for a cozy dinner at the Burrow. So whether you’re sharing it with friends, family, or enjoying it solo with a good book (The Goblet of Fire, perhaps?), it’s sure to transport you straight to the heart of the wizarding world.
Stay cozy and keep celebrating,
Mischief Managed,
Lindsay Loomis
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