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4.9 from 144 votes

Pastilla Recipe (Skillet Chicken Pie)

This savory chicken pie is made with flaky phyllo dough and a tender, richly seasoned chicken filling with warm North African flavors including Ras El Hanout. If you want to work ahead, make the succulent chicken filling a day ahead and keep it in the fridge. Pastilla is delicious served by itself, or with roasted vegetables, Moroccan-style carrot salad, or another big salad like my Mediterranean bean salad.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Servings: 8 Slices
Calories: 3819 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Moroccan , North African

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • kosher salt and black pepper
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, halved, and thinly sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 Medjool dates, pitted, and chopped
  • 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • ½ cup chopped parsley
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 10 sheets phyllo dough
Spice mixture:
  • 2 teaspoons ras el hanout
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon Turmeric

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Pat the chicken dry and season with kosher salt and black pepper on both sides.
  2. In a large pan, heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until brown on both sides (about 5 minutes or so). Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside for now.
  3. In the same pan, add the onion slices and garlic, if needed, add a little more olive oil. Season with a good pinch of kosher salt. Cook over medium heat, tossing regularly until softened.
  4. Add ¾ cup of water and the spices. Bring to a boil, then return the chicken pack to the pan. Cook over medium-high heat for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the liquid has reduced by 1/2.
  5. Carefully remove the chicken from the pan onto a cutting board. Using two forks (or a fork and knife), shred or break the chicken up into small pieces.
  6. To the pan of liquid, stir in the beaten eggs. Return the chicken to the pan and stir to combine. Stir in the chopped dates, almonds, and parsley. Remove from the heat
  7. Turn the oven on to 375 degrees F and adjust a rack in the middle.
  8. Prepare a 10-inch pie dish or heat-safe skillet and brush the bottoms and sides with extra virgin olive oil.
  9. Take one sheet of phyllo dough and fold it in half vertically (the long way). Brush the top of the folded phyllo with extra virgin olive oil. Now lay the folded phyllo sheet in the middle with the sides hanging on either side of the pan. Repeat with 7 more sheets of the phyllo, making sure each sheet is folded and brushed with oil. Layer the phyllo sheets in the pan so that they overlap, rotating the pan so that the phyllo will cover it on all sides (there should be phyllo slack hanging over on all sides of the pan).
  10. Spread the chicken mixture over the phyllo. Cover with the remaining 2 sheets of phyllo, making sure to brush each layer with olive oil. Fold the phyllo sides (or slack) over to cove. Brush the top with extra virgin olive oil.
  11. Bake on the center rack of your heated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the phyllo is fully cooked and golden brown (rotate the pan occasionally to make sure you get even color on all sides).

Notes

  • Tips for working with phyllo: Thaw phyllo overnight, allow it to come to room temperature before using it, and cover sheets of phyllo with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out and breaking.
  • Make-ahead option: You can make the chicken filling a day in advance. 
  • Leftovers and storage: Leftovers will keep for three to four days in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, brush the top of the pastilla lightly with extra virgin olive oil again and place it on a sheet pan in a 375 degrees F-heated oven for a few minutes until warmed through. 
  • Serve pastilla with: While pastilla is a filling meal on its own, you can add some color in the form of roasted vegetables, Moroccan-style carrot salad, or another big salad like my Mediterranean bean salad. 
  • Visit Our Shop for quality Mediterranean ingredients including extra virgin olive oils and spices, like the Ras El Hanout and turmeric used in this recipe.

Nutrition Information

Calories 381.9kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 35.7g (12%) Protein 28.1g (56%) Fat 14.2g (22%) Saturated Fat 2.9g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2.6g Monounsaturated Fat 7.3g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 169.1mg (56%) Sodium 373.2mg (16%) Potassium 540.7mg (15%) Fiber 3.2g (13%) Sugar 12.9g (26%) Vitamin A 505.8IU (10%) Vitamin C 6.3mg (7%) Calcium 67.7mg (7%) Iron 3.2mg (18%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Slices

Amount Per Serving

Calories 3819

% Daily Value*

Calories 381.9kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 35.7g 12%
Protein 28.1g 56%
Fat 14.2g 22%
Saturated Fat 2.9g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.6g 15%
Monounsaturated Fat 7.3g 37%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 169.1mg 56%
Sodium 373.2mg 16%
Potassium 540.7mg 12%
Fiber 3.2g 13%
Sugar 12.9g 26%
Vitamin A 505.8IU 10%
Vitamin C 6.3mg 7%
Calcium 67.7mg 7%
Iron 3.2mg 18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.