When I think of comfort food, my list is long and lengthy. Comfort to me is everything from a bowl of gumbo to fried chicken and everything in between. Heck, sometimes even a spinach salad with blue cheese and candied pecans can be considered comfort food in my book. But if I had to give you a favorite, a go to recipe that makes me feel like I’m wrapped in a cozy warm blanket and parked on the sofa with a crackling fire in the background, it would have to be chicken pot pie.
Thinking about it, I’ve been eating chicken pot pies my whole life. For a short time, we lived in a very tiny town in northeast Montana. My sister and I would come home for lunch everyday and my sweet Mama used to make them for us. She always wanted us to have a hot meal, even for lunch. Now, don’t get me wrong – the pot pies she made for us were from the frozen food section. Still, Mama would “doctor” up the crust by sprinkling a little seasoned salt and black pepper over top for extra flavor (and even more sodium).
Fast forward to now where I’ve passed on my love of chicken pot pies to my husband and kids. The difference between my pot pies and my mom’s, is that mine are homemade. I’ve taken a recipe I found years ago and have made a few flavor enhancements, making this the best chicken pot pie recipe you’ll ever make.
Best Tips When Making Chicken Pot Pie(s)
Before I share my recipe, I have a few great time saving tips to pass along to you!
Tip 1. Chicken pot pie can be made as one 10-inch pie or individual pies.
Tip 2. Making homemade pie dough is delicious, but I have found that store bought pie / pastry dough is delicious as well. And such a time saver!!
Tip 3. Buy a cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. Why? It costs less than buying boneless, skinless chicken breasts and the rotisserie chicken is delicious and already cooked, which saves so much time when preparing.
Tip 4. Prepare individual pot pies and freeze them rather than bake them. This makes for an easy breezy weeknight meal. Straight from freezer to oven, you’ll have dinner on the table in no time. (just don’t forget to sprinkle the crust with seasoned salt and black pepper before popping in the oven!) Serve a green salad along side and you’re good to go. I always have pot pies on standby in our freezer at all times, and this has been weeknight meal game changer for me.
The Cooking Essentials
I’ve gathered up a list of the my favorite cooking tools and essentials that you’ll need to make these most delicious pot pies. Simply click on the link to view and buy.
Best Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Chicken Pot Pie
Ingredients
- 1 3-pound rotisserie cooked whole chicken removed from bone and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 12 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cups carrots diced
- 2 cups yellow onion chopped
- 3/4 cup flour
- 5 cups chicken stock
- 2 chicken flavored bouillon cubes
- 3/4 cup frozen peas
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 package premade pie crust
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper plus addition for sprinkling over top of crust
- dash seasoned salt
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat the chicken stock. Add the bouillon cubes to dissolve.
- In a large Dutch oven, melt the butter and sauté the onions and carrots over medium heat until the onions are translucent and carrots are fork tender.
- Add the flour and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 full minutes.
- Add the warmed chicken stock to the vegetables. Simmer over low heat for another minute or so, stirring until thickened.
- Add cubed chicken, along with the salt, pepper and heavy cream. Mix well.
- Spoon pot pie filling into a 9-inch deep dish pie pan, or individual 5-inch pie pans, a half inch from the rim of the pie pan. Don't over fill!
- Unroll prepared pie crust and cut 1/2 inch wider than the circumference of the top of the pie pan(s). Cover pie(s) with crust and crimp around the edges. Cut small slits in teh top of the crust to let the steam escape.
- (At this point, if you wish to freeze the pot pies, wrap completely with plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze in a single layer until frozen, at which time pies can be stacked. Defrost pie(s) in the refrigerator before baking.)
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sprinkle seasoned salt and black pepper over top of pie crust. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until pie crust is flakey and golden.
Another Favorite Comfort Food Recipe
Paninis are another one of my go-to comfort foods that ranks very high on my list! Easy to make and is perfect served for lunch or dinner!
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