Chicken Piccata Mini Hand

Featured in: Quick Snack Fixes

These golden, flaky mini hand pies combine tender chicken with bright lemon juice, capers, and Parmesan for a tangy, savory filling. Wrapped in puff pastry and baked to perfection, they're a portable, flavorful snack ideal for appetizers or light meals. The buttery dough crisps beautifully around the juicy filling bringing a delightful contrast of textures. A quick preparation and bake time make these hand pies a satisfying and elegant choice, whether warm or at room temperature.

Updated on Wed, 26 Nov 2025 11:53:00 GMT
Golden-brown Chicken Piccata mini hand pies, flaky pastry wrapping a tangy, lemon-caper chicken filling. Pin it
Golden-brown Chicken Piccata mini hand pies, flaky pastry wrapping a tangy, lemon-caper chicken filling. | smartyskitchen.com

Golden, flaky hand pies filled with zesty chicken piccata—juicy chicken, tangy lemon, and capers—perfectly portable and irresistibly delicious.

I first made these mini hand pies for a family gathering and they disappeared quickly—everyone loved the tangy flavors and flaky crust.

Ingredients

  • For the Filling: 1 cup cooked chicken breast, finely chopped, 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and chopped, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • For the Dough: 1 sheet (225 g) ready-rolled puff pastry, thawed, 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare Roux:
In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Mix Filling:
In a medium bowl, combine chopped chicken, capers, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and the prepared roux. Mix until well combined. Let cool slightly.
Prepare Dough:
Unroll puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 8 circles (about 4 inches/10 cm in diameter). Gather scraps, reroll, and cut more circles if needed.
Assemble Pies:
Place 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each circle. Brush the edges lightly with beaten egg. Fold over to form a half-moon and press edges to seal. Crimp with a fork.
Prepare for Baking:
Place pies on the prepared baking sheet. Brush tops with remaining egg wash.
Bake:
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed. Cool slightly before serving.
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These hand pies always bring my family together—we enjoy sharing them during weekend brunches.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling. Pair with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio.

Required Tools

Saucepan, Mixing bowl, Rolling pin, Circular cookie cutter (or glass), Baking sheet, Pastry brush, Fork

Allergen Information

Contains: Wheat (gluten), Egg, Milk (dairy), Chicken. Capers may be processed with other allergens. Check labels if concerned.

Savor the aroma of warm, buttery Chicken Piccata hand pies: mini pies bursting with savory flavors, perfect snacks. Pin it
Savor the aroma of warm, buttery Chicken Piccata hand pies: mini pies bursting with savory flavors, perfect snacks. | smartyskitchen.com

These mini hand pies are the perfect blend of flavor and convenience for any occasion.

Chicken Piccata Mini Hand

Flaky hand pies bursting with lemony chicken, capers, and Parmesan cheese in every bite.

Prep Time
30 min
Time to Cook
25 min
Overall Time
55 min
Created by Emily Scott


Skill Level Medium

Culinary Roots Italian-American

Makes 8 Portions

Diet Details None specified

What You'll Need

Filling

01 1 cup cooked chicken breast, finely chopped
02 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and chopped
03 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
04 1 tablespoon lemon zest
05 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
06 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
11 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
12 1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Dough

01 1 sheet ready-rolled puff pastry, thawed (approximately 8 x 8 inches)
02 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Directions

Step 01

Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 02

Prepare roux: In a small saucepan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add low-sodium chicken broth while whisking, cooking until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 03

Combine filling ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix finely chopped cooked chicken, capers, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and the prepared roux. Stir until evenly combined. Allow to cool slightly.

Step 04

Prepare pastry circles: Unroll thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut into eight 4-inch diameter circles. Gather scraps, reroll if necessary, and cut additional circles.

Step 05

Fill and seal hand pies: Place 2 tablespoons of filling onto the center of each pastry circle. Lightly brush the edges with beaten egg. Fold pastry over to form half-moons and press edges firmly to seal. Crimp edges with a fork for a decorative finish.

Step 06

Apply egg wash: Arrange pies on the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops with the remaining beaten egg.

Step 07

Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Tools You'll Need

  • Saucepan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Rolling pin
  • Circular cookie cutter or glass (4-inch diameter)
  • Baking sheet
  • Pastry brush
  • Fork

Allergy Info

Review each item for allergens and reach out to a healthcare provider if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, milk (dairy), and chicken. Capers may be processed with other allergens; verify ingredient labels if sensitive.

Nutrition Info (per portion)

Info for reference only. Always check with your doctor for health guidance.
  • Energy (Calories): 260
  • Fats: 15 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Proteins: 10 g