Smoked Chicken and Asparagus Quiche
Savory quiche layered with smoked chicken, fresh asparagus, and mild cheese in a crisp shortcrust pastry shell. Eggs whisked with wholegrain mustard, fresh thyme, and milk create a silky custard that bakes to golden perfection. Two-stage oven method ensures a set center and golden top.
Ingredients
- 1 quantity shortcrust pastry or homemade quiche pastrypuff pastry1:1change in texture and lift
2
- 5 eggs
- 80 milliliters milk
- ½ teaspoon wholegrain mustard
- ½ teaspoon fresh thyme, roughly torn
- ½ teaspoon salt and pepper
- 3 ½ oz smoked chicken, roughly chopped or torn into bite-size piecesham1:1protein
less smoky
- 8 oz asparagus, stem removed, sliced or broken 1 inch above base
- 1 ¼ cups grated mild cheesesharp cheddar1:1cheese
stronger flavor
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 300°F. Grease a baking dish.
- 2
Roll out pastry, create a firm edge, and flatten slightly with a fork.
- 3
Lay half the asparagus inside the pastry.
- 4
Whisk eggs, wholegrain mustard, fresh thyme, salt, pepper, and milk in a bowl until eggs are broken, avoiding too many bubbles.
- 5
Scatter smoked chicken over the pastry base.
- 6
Lay remaining asparagus on top.
- 7
Pour custard mixture slowly and evenly over the filling.
- 8
Sprinkle grated cheese evenly over the quiche.
- 9
Bake at 300°F for 40 minutes.
- 10
Raise temperature to 350°F and continue baking for 15 minutes until golden brown.
- 11
Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes.
- 12
Slice and serve.
Tips
Whisk custard gently to avoid incorporating too many air bubbles, which can create a spongy texture.
Allow quiche to cool 5 minutes before slicing for cleaner portions.
Two-stage baking (low then high temperature) prevents overcooking the custard while browning the top.
Good to Know
Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat gently at 160C until warmed through.
Assemble quiche (before baking) up to 4 hours ahead; cover and refrigerate. Bake when ready.
Serve warm or at room temperature with a green salad.
Common Mistakes
Whisk custard too vigorously to avoid creating excess bubbles that cause spongy texture
Skip cooling time to avoid difficult slicing