Tender cubes of chicken marinated in a blend of tandoori spices, ginger, and garlic bring a deep, spiced complexity to these handheld pies. The inclusion of tomato paste and a touch of heat from garlic-chilli sauces balances the marinade, while a unique quick-smoke technique adds an authentic charcoal-grilled aroma that lingers beautifully even after the pies have cooled.
Wrapped in flaky, buttery store-bought puff pastry, these mini pies offer a satisfying contrast between the crisp, golden exterior and the moist, flavorful filling. Using a cheese and herb pastry adds an extra layer of savory depth, though a classic plain dough works just as well to let the spiced chicken take center stage.
These are ideal for a casual lunch, a packed snack, or a unique addition to a finger-food spread. Because the filling can be prepared and cooled in advance, assembling them is straightforward, making them a practical choice when you want to serve something a bit more substantial than a standard appetizer.
Read Full StoryThese savory pies are a brilliant way to reinvent classic spiced poultry flavors in a portable format. If you have leftover meat from a batch of traditional tandoori chicken, these hand pies make for an effortless mid-week dinner. Alternatively, if you prefer a one-bowl meal, you can easily adapt the aromatic spice profile used here to prepare a hearty plate of tandoori chicken tikka rice.
Key Ingredients
- Chicken breast: Cubed boneless chicken serves as the primary protein filling for the mini pies.
- Tandoori spice blend: This signature seasoning provides the base flavor and vibrant color for the chicken marinade.
- Ginger garlic paste: Used in the marinade to provide a pungent, aromatic foundation for the savory filling.
- Tomato paste: Deepens the marinade color and provides a concentrated acidity to balance the spices.
- Garlic and chilli sauce: These sauces are stirred into the cooked chicken to enhance moisture and spicy complexity.
- Puff pastry: A cheese and herb or plain pastry encases the filling to create a flaky exterior.
- Sesame seeds: Sprinkled on top of the pastry to add a nutty crunch and visual appeal.
More Ways to Enjoy Tandoori Spices
- Smoked Tandoori Chicken Chowmein: This fusion dish uses the same bold marinade to add a deep, smoky complexity to stir-fried noodles.
- Tandoori Chicken Tikka: Master the classic preparation of spiced, charred skewers before folding them into your pastry or rice dishes.
- Tandoori Chicken Tikka Sandwiches: An excellent option for using up filling leftovers if you are looking for a quick lunch that doesn't require baking pastry.
Curated by Aprilia Wanson in Austin, TX — I research and organize easy recipes so you can cook with what you have. More about how I create content →