Moravian chicken pie is a traditional dish from the Moravia region of the Czech Republic. It is made by baking chicken meat, carrots, onions and other vegetables in a crust. So the short answer is yes, Moravian chicken pie does contain vegetables.
What is Moravian Chicken Pie?
Moravian chicken pie, also known as Moravian Vrabec, is considered one of the national dishes of the Czech Republic. It originated in the Moravia region, which was historically inhabited by Moravian Slavs. The dish consists of chicken meat and vegetables baked in a crust made from flour, butter, eggs and sour cream. While recipes can vary, some of the key ingredients in Moravian chicken pie are:
- Chicken – typically bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks
- Onions – yellow or white onions, diced
- Carrots – sliced or diced carrots
- Celery – chopped celery
- Parsley root – optional but adds flavor
- Thyme – fresh or dried thyme
- Black pepper – for seasoning
- Flour – for the crust
- Butter – for the crust
- Sour cream – for the crust
- Egg – for the crust
So as you can see, Moravian chicken pie is packed with vegetables like onions, carrots, celery and parsley root. These vegetables add nice flavors and textures to contrast with the chicken. The vegetables are normally cut into small dice or slices before being combined with the chicken and baked in the crust.
Traditional Preparation Methods
There are a few key steps in the traditional preparation of Moravian chicken pie:
- Make the crust dough by mixing flour, butter, sour cream, egg and a pinch of salt.
- Chop the onions, carrots, celery and parsley root into small dice.
- Sauté the chopped veggies in butter until softened.
- Add the chicken pieces and sauté just until browned.
- Season the chicken and veggie mixture with salt, pepper and thyme.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with the crust dough.
- Brush the top crust with egg wash and poke a few holes to vent.
- Bake at 350°F for 40-60 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
As you can see, the vegetables are cooked right along with the chicken to infuse the dish with maximum flavor. The veggies add nice texture and taste contrast to the creamy crust and savory chicken.
Different Vegetable Options
While onions, carrots, celery and parsley root are the most traditional vegetables used in Moravian chicken pie, some recipes do call for other vegetable additions or substitutions:
- Mushrooms – Sliced mushrooms add an earthy, meaty flavor.
- Peas – Frozen or fresh peas provide color and sweetness.
- Bell peppers – Diced red, yellow or orange peppers add a crunchy texture.
- Corn – Kernels cut from cobs can provide pops of sweetness.
- Potatoes – Diced potatoes add hearty texture and absorb flavors.
- Fennel – The mild anise flavor pairs nicely with chicken.
Some modern versions even call for non-traditional veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, spinach or butternut squash to be added. But the classic recipe centers around onions, carrots, celery and parsley root.
Proportions of Vegetables to Chicken
In an authentic Moravian chicken pie, the vegetables play a supporting role to the chicken. The chicken is the star ingredient after all. A general guideline for proportions is:
- 75% chicken – bone-in thighs or drumsticks
- 25% vegetables – onions, carrots, celery, etc.
However, some recipes do call for a 50/50 split between chicken and vegetables. The proportions can vary based on personal preference. But the veggies should not overwhelm the chicken flavor that is central to the dish.
Cooking the Vegetables
Cooking the vegetables is an essential step in making Moravian chicken pie. Simply adding raw veggies to the uncooked pie would result in crunchy, unpleasantly hard vegetables. Instead, the veggies are always cooked first before baking:
- Sautéed – The onions, carrots, celery are sautéed in butter until softened but not fully cooked.
- Simmered – Some recipes call for the veggies to be simmered in broth as the initial cooking method.
- Roasted – Roasting the vegetables first intensifies the flavors.
- Blanched – Dense veggies like potatoes and carrots can be partially cooked by blanching first.
No matter the initial cooking method, the vegetables are then added to the raw chicken and crust before the entire pie bakes. The oven cooking finishes cooking the veggies fully while also baking the crust and chicken.
Benefits the Vegetables Provide
The vegetables in Moravian chicken pie provide several benefits to the dish beyond just flavor:
- The onions become meltingly tender and sweet when cooked.
- The carrots add a pop of vibrant orange color to the pie.
- The celery provides a nice crunch and fresh contrast.
- The veggies make the dish more nutritious and balanced.
- They stretch the chicken to provide more servings from the pie.
- Their moisture helps keep the chicken tender and juicy.
So while the chicken is the highlight, the supporting vegetables play an indispensable role in creating the perfect Moravian chicken pie.
Serving Suggestions
Moravian chicken pie is traditionally served as a main course with some sides like:
- Bread rolls or crescent rolls
- Dinner rolls to soak up the delicious juices
- Potato dumplings called houskové knedlíky
- Cabbage salad for crunch and acidity
- Pickled vegetables like gherkins, peppers or beets
- Soup such as garlic broth or tomato soup
A nice Czech pilsner style beer or a South Moravian wine like a Grüner Veltliner would pair excellently with the pie as well. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Here is the approximate nutrition information for a 1/6th slice of Moravian chicken pie:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 345 |
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 7g |
| Cholesterol | 115mg |
| Sodium | 290mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 17g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Protein | 21g |
As you can see, a serving provides a good amount of protein from the chicken as well as fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants from the vegetables. The creamy crust does add quite a bit of saturated fat and cholesterol, but overall Moravian chicken pie can be part of a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation.
Vegan and Vegetarian Variations
Traditional Moravian chicken pie contains chicken and is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. However, some modified versions can be made by substituting the following ingredients:
- Seitan – Wheat gluten chunks can provide a meaty texture.
- Tofu – Diced firm or frozen tofu marinated in broth.
- Tempeh – Fermented soybean cake that takes on flavors well.
- Mushrooms – Chopped mushrooms or a mix of wild mushroom varieties.
- Chickpeas – Roasted spiced chickpeas provide protein.
For the crust, the egg can be replaced with a vegan egg substitute like a flax egg. And non-dairy versions of butter and sour cream work beautifully. With some substitutions, Moravian chicken pot pie can certainly be made vegetarian or vegan while still retaining its delicious flavors and vegetables.
History of Moravian Chicken Pie
Moravian chicken pie has a long and storied history in the Czech Republic:
- Originated in the Moravia region of the country (Eastern Czech Republic).
- Dates back to the 1300s during the Middle Ages.
- Thought to be brought over by Germanic tribes who settled in the area.
- Traditionally made from locally sourced ingredients like chicken, vegetables, dairy and grains.
- Often served for name day celebrations and other special events.
- Consumption increased in the 1800s with improved chicken breeding.
- Remained a rustic, countryside dish not served in noble houses.
- Became a national symbol of Moravian cultural heritage.
While not as refined as French cuisine, Moravian chicken pie represented a heartwarming home cooked meal using humble ingredients. Today it remains a classic Czech comfort food.
Global Influences
Over the centuries, various global influences impacted Moravian chicken pie recipes:
- Onions – Brought to Central Europe by the Romans and incorporated into the dish.
- Carrots – Arrived from Afghanistan in the 1300s.
- Black Pepper – Added once medieval spice trade began.
- Potatoes – American potato varieties added after Columbian Exchange.
- Paprika – Came from Spain in the 1700s and sometimes included.
So while quintessentially Czech today, Moravian chicken pie has been shaped by centuries of transcontinental food influences.
Global Popularity
Outside of the Czech Republic, Moravian chicken pie is relatively unknown on the global culinary stage. However, a few factors have increased its international reach:
- Czech immigrants brought the dish to places like Texas and Nebraska.
- Tourists try it when visiting Czechia and then attempt recipes at home.
- Czech student exchange programs spread awareness of the recipe abroad.
- Specialized cultural food tours in Prague highlight the dish.
- Czech-inspired restaurants in global cities like New York and London include it on menus.
So while still a novelty, Moravian chicken pot pie has started to emigrate beyond Czech borders and find new admirers around the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Moravian chicken pie does indeed contain vegetables as key ingredients alongside chicken in a warm crust. Onions, carrots, celery and parsley root are traditionally used, but the recipe allows for creative substitutions as well. When prepared properly, the vegetables enrich the flavor and texture of the dish. With its hearty, comforting ingredients baked in a flaky crust, Moravian chicken pie provides a wonderful meal to ward off a chill whether enjoyed in the Czech Republic or anywhere across the globe.