(SPOT.ph) Most folks go to Jollibee for its fried chicken, but true connoisseurs know that it's well worth saving stomach room and keeping your eyes on their, ahem, pies. Jollibee makes some mighty versions of these hand pies after all: the original Peach Mango Pie is always a treat, while the formerly seasonal Tuna Pie proves they can well hit the mark on the savory front, too. To add to that, Jollibee's introduced a new player to their pie game just today: the Chicken a la King Pie. Before you rush out to your nearest branch of the 'Bee, though, you're likely wondering whether it lives up to its tasty premise—i.e., how does it actually fare?
Also read: The Sweet Test: We Tried Jollibee's New Strawberry Cheese Pie
We tried the new Jollibee Chicken Ala King Pie and here's what we think:
Chicken a la-What Now?
Chicken pies, of course, are not new; over in the West, chicken pot pie is deemed a comfort classic with how it pairs a creamy chicken stew with a flaky, buttery crust. Jollibee's take specifically goes for a related dish in its title copy: chicken a la king, a stew of chicken, and other ingredients (mushrooms, peas, and bell peppers or pimientos are popular) in a rich cream base, often served with rice, noodles, or biscuits.
Though chicken a la king similarly hails from the West (as with pot pie), it better falls under the category of foreign dishes that have won over Filipinos' hearts—go ask anyone who's lived through the '80s and/or '90s and they're bound to know what we mean. And though it was more popular a couple of decades back than it is now, it retains a sort of appeal that's perhaps kitschy, but nostalgic nevertheless. Technicalities between chicken a la king and chicken pot pie aside, it's a curious choice for Jollibee to highlight a dish of the yesteryears than one more in vogue—but no complaints. We're all for making chicken a la king cool again.
Taste Test Time
Most chicken pies go for the classic buttery, flaky crust that's baked 'til golden-brown, and we'll always have a soft spot for that. It's homey and reminds us of the happier years gone by, and there's an argument to be made for not fixing what ain't broken. But what would food—and indeed, life, though that's another story—be if we didn't experiment with changing things up every once in a while?
Enter Jollibee's take, which is not your momma's chicken pie. For starters, it stands out remarkably from other versions for their use of their signature crust—y'know, that same crackly-crisp (and seemingly, deep-fried) pastry with visible bubbles on the exterior, similar to what's used in their Tuna Pie. Take a bite and you hear—and feel—the crust crackle, which is music to our ears. It also lends a novel (and more pronounced) sort of textural contrast to the creamy filling within.
Speaking of that filling, it also carries with it its own distinct character. It's still creamy alright, with ample chunks of chicken and even bits of carrots for a meaty, substantial bite. It's not overly salty (and even has a touch of sweetness), but notably, it also has what seems to be processed cheese (similar to the tuna version) that isn't quite traditional, but works. Call it a Pinoy-tasting treat if you will; the cheese amplifies the otherwise mild taste of the chicken.
Plus points for this pie's surprisingly substantial size—not to mention the use of a sturdier crust which allows the pie to hold its integrity and not fall apart easily. The long story short? Get it. It's damn good, and it's about damn time classic chicken pie got a Jollibee-fied take.
Where to Order
Jollibee's Chicken a la King Pie starts at P59 for solo ala-carte orders, but you can also go for the P99 value-meal option that comes with a drink or the P140 option with a drink and fries. You can also grab a trio pack for P175; these are all available for ordering via their Jollibee app, website, hotline, GrabFood, or Foodpanda.
Jollibee is a fast-food chain in the Philippines with stores all over the country plus more than 270 international branches in countries that include the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Macau, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and the United Kingdom—plus they're expanding to open even more branches in Europe.
See a list of Jollibee branches. For delivery orders, download Jollibee's delivery app on iOS or Android. You can also visit Jollibee's website, call #87000, or find Jollibee on GrabFood or Foodpanda. For more information, check out Jollibee's Facebook page.
Also read:
Chicken a la King Recipe
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