B’stilla

SpiceBreeze

B'stilla, also known as pastilla, is a savory-sweet pie filled with a delicious mixture of chicken and almonds, delicately seasoned with saffron and wrapped in crisp, flaky phyllo dough. Traditionally made with pigeon, this dish has become a festive favorite, often served at celebrations like weddings. For a simpler take, try the stew version or explore another flavorful tagine recipe (see notes).

Pin Print

hands-on time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Moroccan

Servings

Ingredients

Protein

1.5 lbs chicken breast or thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
3 eggs whisked

Fresh Produce

1 large onion finely chopped
2 tbsp chopped parsley

Dairy

2-4 tbsp butter

Packaged Goods/Staples

1/2 cup ground roasted almonds
1/4 cup powdered sugar^[1]
8 oz phyllo filo dough (18 sheets)

B'stilla Culinary Spice Kit

ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, saffron

Optional Garnish

powdered sugar & cinnamon
whole almonds

Instructions

Filling #1 Almond Sugar

Mix almonds with sugar^[1]. Set aside.

Filling #2 Sauce

In a POT, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat.
Add onions and fry until translucent.
Add chicken, parsley, B’stilla spices, and salt to taste. Stir-fry for 3 minutes.
Add 1 cup of water. Cook for about 20 minutes until the chicken is tender.
Take the chicken out. > Next see Filling #3.
Continue to cook the sauce uncovered over medium-low heat until no liquid is left.
Stir in eggs and cook for about 2 minutes.
Adjust salt & pepper to taste. Turn the heat off.

Filling #3 Meat

Use the chicken cooked in the step for Filling #2.
Let the chicken cool, then shred it.

Assembly

Cover a 9-inch PIE DISH with overlapping phyllo sheets and about 5 inches hanging over the edges of the dish.
Add layers of the fillings in this order: #2 (sauce), #3 (meat), #1 (almond-sugar).
Cover with the overlapping phyllo sheets.
Spread a thin layer of butter on top.

Bake

Preheat OVEN to 350°F.
Bake B’stilla for 30-40 minutes.
Let it cool a bit.

Serve

Optionally, add garnish.

Enjoy!

Notes

[1] Recommended: Substitute sugar with 1/3 cup soft dried prunes or apricots, finely chopped.

Alternative simple stew version

Follow only the step under Fillings #2 until the chicken is tender.

Mix 1-2 tbsp almond butter into the sauce and serve over couscous or potatoes.

Alternatively

Use the B’stilla spices for a different tagine recipe:

Tagine with prunes

Tagine with olives