Joe Wicks Chicken Pie – Recipes, Calories and Variations

Joe Wicks’ chicken pie recipes have become a staple for fitness enthusiasts seeking hearty comfort food without derailing their nutrition goals. Across his Lean in 15 book series, The Body Coach website, and television appearances, Wicks has offered several variations of this dish—all featuring lean chicken, vegetables, and a lighter filo pastry topping instead of traditional puff pastry.

The recipes typically combine chicken with mushrooms and either leek or both, bound in a creamy sauce made with variations of double cream, crème fraîche, or soured cream. A filo pastry crust provides the characteristic crispy top while keeping carbohydrates and fats lower than conventional pastry options. These dishes generally deliver substantial protein content, making them popular choices for post-workout meals.

What are the ingredients for Joe Wicks’ chicken pie?

Wicks has published multiple chicken pie recipes over the years, with ingredient lists varying slightly between versions. The core components remain consistent across most recipes: chicken, mushrooms, a creamy element, and filo pastry for the topping.

GoodtoKnow Lean in 15 adaptation (serves 4)

• 2 knobs of butter
• 1 large leek, chopped
• 200g mushrooms, chopped
• 4×250g chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 250ml chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon cornflour
• 100ml double cream
• 2 handfuls of baby spinach
• 6 sheets filo pastry
• Olive oil drizzle

This version from the GoodtoKnow adaptation of Wicks’ Lean in 15 recipe uses double cream for richness and does not include Boursin cheese or crème fraîche.

The Body Coach Chicken and Mushroom Pie (serves 3)

• 20g butter
• 350g skinless chicken thigh, chunked
• 200g button mushrooms
• 300ml semi-skimmed milk
• 20g chicken gravy granules
• 60g crème fraîche
• 2 teaspoons wholegrain mustard
• Handful of baby spinach
• Tarragon, salt, and pepper
• 2 filo sheets
• 2 teaspoons melted butter

Published on The Body Coach website, this version explicitly uses crème fraîche for creaminess and opts for chicken thighs rather than breast, with no leek included.

ITV This Morning original chicken pie

• 2-4 tablespoons olive oil
• 800g shredded chicken or thighs
• 2 large leeks
• 250g chestnut mushrooms
• 3 garlic cloves
• 5-6 sprigs of thyme
• 60ml dry white wine
• 100g soured cream
• 3-4 sheets filo pastry (approximately 90g)
• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds

Featured during Wicks’ appearances on ITV This Morning, this version incorporates white wine for depth of flavour and sesame seeds as a topping, with soured cream providing the creamy element.

Key insights

• Filo pastry replaces traditional puff or shortcrust pastry to reduce carbohydrates and fats
• Chicken provides the primary protein source, whether breast or thigh meat
• Mushrooms appear consistently across all versions for earthy flavour and texture
• Leek features in most but not all variations—some recipes omit it entirely
• The creamy element varies: double cream, crème fraîche, or soured cream depending on the source
• No Wicks recipe directly specifies Boursin cheese, though it is sometimes mentioned alongside his recipes in online discussions

How many calories are in Joe Wicks chicken pie?

Calorie counts for Wicks’ chicken pie recipes vary considerably depending on which version is prepared, the specific ingredients used, and how the recipe is portioned. Estimates from tracking applications and recipe sites range from approximately 400 to 805 calories per serving.

Calorie and nutrition breakdown by source

The Carb Manager and MyNetDiary figures of approximately 400 calories per serving represent the lower end of estimates, though this figure may reflect a smaller or adjusted serving size compared to the original recipes. The higher estimates from GoodtoKnow and YouTube breakdowns account for the full portion sizes specified in the original recipes—particularly when using a full kilogram of chicken breast for four servings.

Factors affecting calorie counts

Several variables contribute to the discrepancy between reported calorie counts. The type of chicken used matters: breast meat versus thigh meat carries different nutritional profiles. The creamy element also varies significantly—double cream contains more fat than crème fraîche, which in turn differs from soured cream in caloric density.

Portion sizing accounts for substantial differences. The Body Coach version serves three people using 350g of chicken total, while the GoodtoKnow adaptation specifies 1kg of chicken for four servings. This difference in chicken-to-serving ratio naturally produces different per-serving calorie totals.

What is Joe Wicks chicken pie with Boursin?

The term “Boursin cheese” occasionally appears alongside discussions of Wicks’ chicken pie recipes, though none of his officially published versions directly specify Boursin as an ingredient. Online recipe adaptations and social media posts by home cooks sometimes incorporate Boursin cheese into their interpretations of Wicks’ recipes, which may explain the association.

The officially documented creamy ingredients across Wicks’ recipes include double cream in the GoodtoKnow adaptation, crème fraîche in The Body Coach version, and soured cream in the ITV This Morning recipe. These dairy products serve the same function as Boursin would—providing richness and binding properties to the sauce—while maintaining the lower-fat approach characteristic of the Lean in 15 philosophy.

Understanding the variation confusion

Wicks has published multiple chicken pie recipes across different platforms over several years. The GoodtoKnow version adheres closely to the Lean in 15 approach with double cream, while The Body Coach website hosts a chicken and mushroom variation featuring crème fraîche. The ITV This Morning recipe uses soured cream and adds white wine for flavour depth.

Social media posts, including those on Instagram, sometimes combine elements from different recipes or add ingredients not present in the originals. This has led to some confusion about which ingredients appear in the “official” recipes versus which represent reader interpretations or adaptations.

Preparation method across all versions

The cooking process remains consistent regardless of which specific recipe variation is followed. Chicken pieces are browned in butter or oil, then vegetables—typically leeks and mushrooms—are sautéed until softened. A liquid element such as stock or milk is added, often thickened with cornflour or gravy granules. The cream element is stirred in, along with baby spinach and herbs such as tarragon or thyme. The mixture is transferred to a baking dish, topped with crumpled filo sheets brushed with oil or melted butter, then baked until golden and crispy.

Where does Joe Wicks’ chicken pie recipe come from?

Wicks’ chicken pie recipes originate from his Lean in 15 cookbook series, first published in 2015. The books were designed to provide quick, high-protein meal options that could be prepared in approximately 15 minutes of active cooking time, though the complete process—including baking—takes longer.

The recipes gained significant visibility through Wicks’ television appearances, particularly on ITV’s This Morning programme, where he demonstrated cooking techniques and promoted his approach to healthy eating. This exposure introduced the chicken pie to audiences beyond his existing social media following.

The Lean in 15 approach

The Lean in 15 philosophy centres on creating meals with high protein content, moderate fats, and reduced carbohydrates compared to traditional British comfort food. Wicks positioned these recipes as suitable for gym-goers, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone seeking to maintain a balanced diet without sacrificing satisfying, hearty food.

The chicken pie fits squarely within this framework: it provides substantial protein from the chicken, includes vegetables for nutritional balance, and uses filo pastry instead of conventional pastry to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining textural appeal.

Timeline

Wicks’ chicken pie recipes have been featured across multiple platforms over several years, reflecting his evolving media presence and the growth of his Body Coach brand.

1. 2015: The Lean in 15 cookbook launches, introducing Wicks’ approach to quick, healthy meals including chicken pie variations.
2. Lean in 15 era: Television appearances on programmes such as ITV This Morning bring the recipes to mainstream audiences.
3. November 2023: GoodtoKnow publishes an adaptation of the chicken pie recipe.
4. November 2024: The Body Coach website updates its chicken and mushroom pie recipe with nutritional guidance.
5. 2025: Social media posts continue to reference and adapt the recipes, maintaining audience engagement.

What is certain versus uncertain about these recipes?

When examining the various chicken pie recipes attributed to Joe Wicks, certain elements remain consistently documented across sources, while others show variation or lack verification.

Fitness context and appeal

The chicken pie recipes reflect Wicks’ broader mission to make fitness-oriented nutrition accessible and appealing. Traditional British pies—filled with pastry, rich sauces, and often higher in saturated fats—represent comfort food that many pursuing fitness goals consider off-limits. Wicks’ versions attempt to preserve the satisfying elements of a homemade pie while aligning with higher-protein, moderate-carbohydrate eating patterns.

The use of chicken breast or thigh as the primary protein source provides the amino acids needed for muscle repair and growth, particularly valuable after resistance training. The inclusion of vegetables—mushrooms, leeks, and spinach—adds micronutrients and fibre that contribute to overall nutritional balance.

Filo pastry serves a dual purpose: it provides the visual and textural satisfaction of a pastry-topped dish while keeping carbohydrate content lower than puff or shortcrust alternatives. The lower pastry-to-filling ratio also means less energy density overall, allowing for more generous portions within a given calorie budget.

These recipes position themselves as treats to be enjoyed alongside increased physical activity rather than everyday meals, acknowledging their higher calorie content relative to leaner Wicks recipes. YouTube breakdowns of the Lean in 15 version describe the dish as “indulgent” and recommend pairing it with additional exercise.

Sources and media appearances

The chicken pie recipes have appeared across Wicks’ primary media channels, lending credibility to their attribution.

“This is proper comfort food that won’t wreck your training—packed with protein and topped with golden filo.” — Joe Wicks, as featured on ITV This Morning

The Body Coach website serves as the primary repository for Wicks’ official recipes, with regular updates and refinements based on reader feedback. Television appearances on programmes like ITV This Morning have introduced the recipes to audiences who may not follow fitness-focused social media accounts.

Recipe sites such as GoodtoKnow have published adaptations and interpretations of the original recipes, sometimes with modified ingredient lists or portion sizes. These secondary sources provide additional options for readers seeking variations on the core recipes.

Calorie and nutrition tracking applications have included the recipes in their databases, providing user-submitted nutritional information that supplements the figures available in the original recipe sources.

Summary

Joe Wicks’ chicken pie recipes represent a fitness-oriented take on traditional British comfort food, substituting lighter filo pastry for conventional pastry and emphasising high protein content from chicken. Multiple recipe versions exist across his Lean in 15 books, The Body Coach website, and television appearances, with ingredients varying to include double cream, crème fraîche, or soured cream depending on the source. Calorie estimates range from approximately 400 to 805 per serving, with discrepancies arising from different portion sizes, chicken cuts, and cream types.

The recipes appeal to those seeking satisfying meals that support fitness goals without entirely abandoning comfort food traditions. For those interested in exploring similar high-protein recipes, Wicks’ broader collection offers numerous chicken, leek, and mushroom dishes designed for active individuals. If you’re curious about other dietary considerations, you might find information about whether dogs can safely consume certain foods relevant to household meal planning.

Frequently asked questions