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Rappie Pie Recipe (Nova Scotia-Style)

Traditional Acadian Rappie Pie

Authentic Nova Scotia Rappie Pie with Chicken and Potatoes
Prep Time40 minutes
Cook Time2 hours 5 minutes
Total Time2 hours 45 minutes
Servings:8 people
Course:Dinner
Cuisine:canadian

Ingredients
  

For the Filling:
  • 2 tablespoons margarine or butter
  • 2 onions chopped
  • 4 quarts chicken broth
  • 4 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
For the Potato Mixture:
  • 10 lbs potatoes peeled and diced
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper

Method
 

Preheat Oven
  1. Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease your baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
Caramelize the Onions
  1. In a skillet, melt margarine over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook for about 5 minutes until soft. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown.
Cook the Chicken
  1. In a large pot, bring chicken broth to a boil. Add chicken breasts, reduce to a simmer, and cook for about 20 minutes or until fully done (internal temperature 165°F or 74°C). Remove chicken with a slotted spoon and set aside. Reserve the broth for the potato mixture.
Grate and Juice the Potatoes
  1. Using an electric juicer, extract juice from the potatoes. Discard the liquid and place the dry potato pulp into a large bowl.
  2. No juicer? Grate the potatoes manually and wring out the juice using cheesecloth or a clean towel.
Season and Hydrate
  1. Add salt and pepper to the potato pulp. Slowly stir in the hot reserved broth until the texture resembles warm oatmeal. It should be thick but still spreadable.
Assemble the Rappie Pie
  1. Spread half of the potato mixture into the greased baking dish.
  2. Shred or slice the cooked chicken and distribute it evenly over the potatoes.
  3. Add the caramelized onions as the next layer.
  4. Top with the remaining potato mixture, smoothing it to cover the filling entirely.
Bake
  1. Bake the assembled dish uncovered at 400°F for about 1 hour, or until the top is golden and lightly crisped.
Serve
  1. Let the pie rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. For added moisture and flavor, reheat some of the reserved broth and ladle it over each serving.