Savory Cherry Hand Pies with Chicken

Fresh, ripe cherries mingle with charred chicken and caramelized onions between layers of flaky pie crust, making these delicious, savory cherry hand pies with chicken a favorite among family and friends.

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Yes, I understand that cherries and chicken in a savory dish might sound like an odd concoction. But, I am still going to try to convince you to make and enjoy these delicious Savory Cherry Hand Pies with Chicken as much as we do!

Cherries are often the star of desserts like cherry pie, cobbler, cakes, or cherry cheesecake, as well as sweet treats like cherry chocolate chia pudding or chocolate peppermint cherry cookies.

However, have you ever roasted cherries and sprinkled them with a bit of salt? Much like roasted grapes, they are absolutely delicious!

I have found that cherries seem to shine in savory recipes, such as this Cherry Chutney (paired with goat cheese), this Chili Cherry Sauce (which is delicious on pork chops), cherry salsa, and these hand pies.

What makes these pies so good, for me?

These Savory Cherry Hand Pies with Chicken feature a juicy, deliciously spiced, and aromatic filling of spicy and sweet cherries and chicken, enveloped in a buttery pie crust.

These little pies are portable, making them perfect to snack on at after-school games or a picnic. They can also be enjoyed as a side dish with roasted veggies or a simple salad made with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and a vinaigrette (like this) made with lemon juice and zest.

These pies are not only tasty but have a nutrition punch. The cherries are packed with antioxidants, and the chicken lends 17 grams of protein to each tasty pie.

How to pit cherries?

When it comes to pitting cherries, there are so many ways to go about it. According to this article, there’s the chopstick method, the paper clip method, the paring knife method, the garlic-squash method, and simply using a cherry pitter.

Personally, my favorite is the put-cherries-in-mouth-and-spit-out-pit method, but that might NOT be the best option when using cherries in recipes to be shared with guests.

In case you are wondering, I pitted these cherries by slicing them with a paring knife and pulling out the pit with the tip of the knife. So, nope, I did not use my favorite pitting method this time!

What are the ingredients needed to make these Savory Cherry Hand Pies with Chicken?

1. Extra virgin olive oil
2. Store-bought or homemade pie crusts
3. An onion (red or yellow)
4. Garlic cloves
5. Fresh ginger
6. Chicken breasts (organic Air Chilled chicken breasts preferred)
7. Fresh cherries (or thawed frozen cherries can also be used)
8. Coriander
9. Smoked paprika
10. Egg and a smidge of water (for egg wash)
11. Salt and pepper (to enhance all the flavors)

Pinch of chopped parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: To start, wash and pit the cherries (using any method you prefer). Then, chop up the cherries.

Step 2: While the cutting board is out, peel and chop the onion, ginger, and garlic. To avoid this step, you could also use peeled and chopped versions of these three, which are often available in the produce section of most stores.

Step 3: Remove the pie crusts from the freezer and let them thaw out on the kitchen counter.

Step 4: Then, place a pan on a stovetop set to medium-high heat and add the olive oil to it.

Step 5: Add the chopped onion, ginger, and garlic. When this mixture begins to brown slightly, add the air-chilled chicken, coriander, smoked paprika, and the juicy cherries.

Let all the ingredients saute a bit. When the chicken pieces start to brown and the cherries start to caramelize, take this cherry-chicken saute off the stove and set it aside.

Step 6: Then add in the parsley, red pepper flakes (if using), and season with salt and pepper to taste.

I gotta say, if pies are not your thing, this cherry-chicken saute is DEEELICIOUS on top of a salad or stuffed into lettuce leaves or all by itself.

Step 7: Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Step 8: Use a 5-inch cereal bowl or a pastry cutter to cut out 4-5 circles from each of the two sheets of pie crust.

Step 9: Fill the pie crust with 2-3 spoonfuls of chicken cherry mixture.

Step 10: Beat the egg and brush it along the circumference of the circular stuffed pie. Fold the pie crust over to form a semi-circle, sealing the edges with your fingers. Repeat this process with the remaining pie crusts.

Step 11: Then, use a fork to crimp the sides of the pie crust and slash a slight “V” or any other desired shape on the top, allowing steam to escape.

Step 12: Brush the tops of the pies with egg wash and place in the preheated oven, and bake for 17-20 minutes or until golden.

These hand pies are delicious, drizzled with some of this chili cherry sauce.

Hoping you and your family enjoy these pies as much as we do.

Love cherries? Here are a few of my favorite cherry recipes:

1

3 Ingredient Cherry Chicken

This delicious 3 ingredient Cherry Chicken is an easy and healthy meal option. Pair it with some yellow rice and veggies for a tasty and wholesome meal.

Check out this recipe

2

Chocolate Cherry Muffin Tops from Muffin Top Mania

These Chocolate Cherry Muffin Tops are ever so slightly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. They are studded with chocolate chips and fresh cherries, and are a tasty portable breakfast or snack!

Check out this recipe

3

Easy Cherry Chutney

Sweet, tart, and spicy, this easy cherry chutney is a delicious condiment that pairs well with everything from crackers and cheese to chicken.

Check out this recipe

4

Cherry Chocolate Chia Pudding (Dairy-free)

Creamy and delicious, this dairy-free, Cherry Chocolate Chia Pudding is a cool, no-bake treat that can be enjoyed for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert.

Check out this recipe

Thanks so much for stopping by. If you make this recipe, please let me know in the comments below what you think of it, or tag your creation on social media with @savoryspin or #savoryspin.
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Savory Cherry Hand Pies with Chicken

5 from 8 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 5

Author: Shashi

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Fresh tart cherries mingle with charred chicken and caramelized onions between layers of flaky pie crust making these delicious savory cherry hand pies with chicken a favorite!

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 pkg of 2 pie crusts of your choice or 2 rolls of puff pastry.
• 1 red onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tsp ginger
• 2 Sprouts Organic Air Chilled chicken breasts
• ¾ cup fresh cherries
• 1 tsp coriander
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• Egg for egg wash
• Pinch of chopped parsley and pinch of chili flakes optional
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Wash cherries remove their pits and stems and slice them up roughly.
• Chop up the chicken breasts into bite sized pieces and wash chopping board you used with soap and water before using it for the onions, ginger, and garlic.
• Peel and chop onion, garlic cloves and ginger.
• Add oil to a pan and place it over medium heat.
• Add in the onion, ginger, and garlic and sauté, stirring often, for about 10 minutes.
• Add in the chopped chicken, coriander, smoked paprika, and cherries and sauté uncovered about 15-20 minutes until chicken starts to char a bit.
• Then add in the parsley, chili flakes (if using), and season with salt and pepper to taste. Take this off the stove and set aside as you prep the pastry.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Use a 5-inch cereal bowl or pastry cutter to cut out 4-5 circles from the two sheets of pie crust or puff pastry.
• Fill the pie crust with 2-3 spoonfuls of chicken cherry mixture.
• Beat the egg and brush it along the circumference of the circular stuffed pie and fold the pie crust over to form a semi-circle, sealing the edges with your fingers. Repeat with the rest of the pie crusts.
• Then, use a fork and crimp the sides of the pie crust and slash a small "v" or any shape on the top so steam can escape.
• Brush the pies with egg wash and place in the preheated oven and bake for 17-20 minutes or until golden.
• These hand pies are delicious served slathered with some chili cherry sauce.

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Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 521kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 468mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g

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