Fresh-from-the-oven Homemade Chicken Pot Pie is a hearty and tasty pie filled with creamy chunks of diced chicken, carrots, and peas. Serve them in bigger pot pies for a family weeknight meal or in mini pot pies when entertaining. The ultimate Southern comfort food!
This is one of those days that my mouth craves for something comforting and hearty without too much work.
Mac and cheese already became a Sunday routine here at home, so I went for these delicious chicken pot pies instead.
Flaky on the top and bottom, then filled with creamy, chunky chicken and veggies in the middle. Exactly what I’m looking for! Homemade chicken pot pie is the best!!!
There’s something irresistible with hot crusty pie loaded with a scrumptious filling.
I grew up with this soul-satisfying delicacy, although what I’m used to is a little different. It’s more like these African Meat Pies and Jamaican Beef Patties. However, this chicken pot pie always hit the home run without a doubt.
I really love this chicken recipe because I can cook the chicken (if I have the time and energy) or pick up a rotisserie chicken from the store on the way home (if I don’t have time and energy).
Easy Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
Believed to have originated in Greece, Greek pot pies were meat cooked in open pastry shells.
Eventually, the Romans borrowed and enhanced the recipe by adding a top to the pastry crust to enclose the meat pie. Thus, the birth of the pot pies that we have come to love these days.
They come in different variations, but this homemade chicken pot pie recipe got a remarkable thumbs up from the crowd.
I mean, how can you resist a pie filled with chunks of chicken, carrots, and peas in an easy, creamy highly-seasoned sauce? You just can’t! You can hardly stop at one slice.
How to Make Chicken Pot Pie Crust
Making the filling is simple and easy. But the chicken pot pie crust is waaay easier than you think it is.
You can either buy a frozen pastry crust at your local grocery store (if you’re pressed for time) or do it from scratch using this 5-ingredient homemade pie crust. Both work fine, actually.
If you want to go the homemade route, you can make it ahead of time and put it in the freezer until ready to assemble your chicken pot pie.
Mini Pot Pies
Bigger pies are great, especially when you’re serving family-style. Just place it on the table with a big spoon, so everyone can dig in for their piece.
But when you’re hosting a mini gathering, these mini chicken pot pies are perfectly comforting to serve to your guests as an appetizer. And it looks great on the table, too.
You can either serve them up in cute little oven-safe cups or ramekins like the ones below OR place them in muffin pans for easy clean-up. Bite-sized hearty pies for everyone!
Don’t get too caught up with stews and soups. Switch things up every now and then!
Recipe Ingredients
- Butter is the perfect substance to saute the onions. It adds flavor, something we all want more of, right?
- Onion is a veggie and a seasoning. How could you go wrong? Oh, and don’t forget my tips on how to chop onions.
- Celery is another healthy veggie that adds flavor. Interestingly, it can be sweet and slightly bitter at the same time.
- Thyme is an aromatic herb that is part of the humongous mint family, along with oregano and basil. For this recipe, I like fresh, but you can use dried if you prefer. See my Thyme Substitutes here if you don’t have one.
- Garlic adds pungency, in other words, a sharp distinctive flavor. It’s pretty spicy when raw and almost nutty when cooked, especially roasted.
- Carrots are rather sweet for a vegetable. Not only are they delicious, but they also add color to your dish.
- All-purpose flour thickens the gravy and keeps it from making the crust soggy.
- Half-and-half adds a rich creaminess to the gravy that makes it oh so drool-worthy.
- Chicken broth adds a rich meaty flavor to the gravy.
- Chicken is the star ingredient. You can cook it up by poaching a chicken breast, picking a rotisserie chicken on the way home, or using leftover chicken from the night before.
- Peas are another incredible vegetable that adds color along with flavor. Peas and carrots seem like the perfect match, and the baby peas are my favorites. However, you can use regular peas, too.
- Parsley is an excellent herb that goes so well with this recipe. Its aromatic oils make the dish smell extra special while cooking.
- Creole seasoning is my go-to spice mix to kick everything savory up a notch or two. Well, almost everything. And I always make it myself, so it comes out just like I want it.
- Salt and pepper are pantry-staple flavor enhancers that I would not know how to live without.
- Pie pastry dough envelops the chicken, gravy, and veggies for a moist and delicious pie. You can buy it premade or make your own pie crust.
- Egg & water or milk makes an egg wash that creates a beautifully golden and shiny finish on the top pie crust.
Alternative Ingredients
Dairy – If you would like a dairy-free version, you can replace the butter with olive oil and the half-and-half with unsweetened nut milk or chicken broth.
Gluten – If you would like a gluten-free version, you can replace the all-purpose flour with cornstarch. Then you can substitute the pie crust with a gluten-free pie crust or simply leave it out and top it with mashed potatoes.
Serving & Storage Instructions
Make the chicken filling according to the recipe instructions, store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and chill until you need it or the next day.
Freezing
You can also freeze it at this point. It will last in the freezer for up to two months.
When ready to use it, heat it gently in a pan until it is heated through, not boiling. And proceed with the instructions.
Another option is to make two pot pies and freeze one before baking. It should last at least two months in the freezer. I would put it directly in the oven from the freezer and add 20-30 minutes to the cooking time.
Refrigerating
If you have leftovers, they will keep in the fridge for up to five days in an airtight container.
Reheating
If you want a perfectly reheated chicken pot pie, you definitely have to with the oven. Preheat the oven to 350℉/℃, cover the pot pie with aluminum foil, and heat it in the oven for 30-35 minutes.
Also, make sure that the center reaches 165℉/℃ temperature for it to be reheated appropriately.
FAQs
In my recipe, I make a roux. However, you can make a slurry (2 tablespoons of cold water and 1 tablespoon of flour or cornstarch) and slowly drizzle that into the broth while constantly stirring.
Breadcrumbs and instant mashed potatoes are also good thickeners. Add one tablespoon per cup of gravy.
Healthy additions to thicken your gravy are ground flax seeds, chia seeds, and parmesan cheese powder. Stir in a tablespoon per cup of gravy.
The first thing it could be is that the gravy wasn’t thick enough. If it had the same texture as soup, it would make the crust soggy. Make sure the filling is thick before you pour it into the crust.
Some people think it’s necessary to poke holes in the bottom crust. While this will help and empty pie crust, I don’t recommend it on this recipe because you fill the crust before baking.
You may want to try an egg wash on the bottom crust or brush it with a little oil to keep the filling from soaking the crust too quickly.
After making the crust, letting it rest in the fridge for half an hour before putting it all together will help it firm up and be more resistant to the filling.
My first reaction is to add a teaspoon of Creole seasoning. I also like to take advantage of the opportunity to throw in some tasty veggies.
If you decide to ramp up the nutritional value by adding vegetables, plan on there being a little extra liquid. You can compensate for it by reducing the broth or increasing the flour.
A tad of ground turmeric will give the gravy a beautiful golden color and add a little zing.
Serving Suggestions
This can be a one-pot meal, but I like it with a simple tossed salad and some homemade breadsticks. Another option is some Green Beans and Bacon to take advantage of the oven being hot.
More Southern Chicken Recipes
- Southern Fried Chicken – When someone says “Southern Comfort Food,” the first thing that comes to mind is fried chicken. Now, not every recipe is worthy of being called comfort food, but this spicy and mouthwatering recipe is.
- Chicken ala King – marries different veggies, mushrooms, and chopped chicken all in a thick, flavorful, and creamy sauce.
- Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup – this rich and creamy recipe uses my secret weapon for a flavorful broth, evaporated milk. Why water your soup down with plain milk? Add some inventive spices and breathe in the wonderful aroma deeply.
- Nashville Hot Chicken – The crispy, crunchy coating and flavor-packed hot sauce make this dish perfect for game day or any day.
How to Make Chicken Pot Pie From Scratch
Prepare the Veggies
- Preheat the oven to 400°F/204℃.
- Saute veggies – Heat butter or oil in a large pot over medium heat. Then add onions, celery, thyme, garlic, and carrots. Cook and stir for about about 6-7 minutes, until tender. (Photos 1 & 2)
Prepare the Filling
- Make the roux – Stir in flour until flour has been fully incorporated, stirring for about a minute. Gradually stir in half and half and broth. (Photo 3)
- Make the gravy – Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir for about 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbles. (Photo 4)
Add the chicken – Gradually add in chicken, peas, parsley, Creole seasoning – remove from heat. Adjust salt, pepper, and seasonings to taste. (Photo 5-8)
Assembly
- Prepare the pie crust – Unroll pie crusts. Cover the bottom of the casserole and reserve the rest for the top. (Photo 9)
- Add the filling – Place chicken mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish or desired baking dish. Cover with remaining pastry. Trim, seal, and flute edges. (You may freeze unbaked pies at this point or cut slits in tops for steam to escape.) (Photo 10 & 11)
- Egg wash – Brush with egg wash mixture. (Photo 12)
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly and cooked through. (Photos 13 & 14)
- Mini Homemade Chicken Pot Pies in Ramekins – If you want to make mini pot pies, here’s the photo.
Watch How To Make It
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This blog post was first published in Oct 2018 and has been updated with additional information and a video.
Summer says
I love this recipe and make it all the time!
Question about freezing it, you say to heat it in a pan then proceed with the instructions. I’m a little confused about that. I’ve never froze it but am going back to school soon and thinking about it. We always make it in a normal size glass pie dish. I don’t know how I would heat it up in a pan. Can you clarify? Thank you!!
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Summer !
I’m glad to hear you love the pot pie recipe! Freezing homemade pot pie is a great idea, especially if you’re heading back to school and need convenient, ready-made meals. Let’s clarify the instructions for freezing and reheating:
After assembling your pot pie in the glass dish, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. This helps prevent freezer burn. Freeze the pie before baking it.
When you’re ready to eat the pie, there’s no need to thaw it first. Preheat your oven to the temperature recommended in the recipe. Remove the plastic wrap and cover the pie with only the aluminum foil. Bake it covered for about half the recommended time.
After half the time has passed, remove the aluminum foil and continue baking until the crust is golden and the filling is heated through. This may take additional time compared to a fresh, unbaked pie.
By heating it covered initially, you prevent the crust from browning too quickly while the inside thaws and heats up. I hope this clarifies the process for you! Enjoy your delicious pot pie and best of luck with your studies!
Christine says
I made this for tonight’s dinner! Delicious and fulfilling! I made my own crusts. Everything turned out wonderfully! Thank you so much for this recipe, it’s a keeper.
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Thank you for the feedback, Christine!
Steffi says
What would be the time for the little ramekins?
Elsie says
For how long should you preheat the oven
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Elsie. You can pre-heat your oven for 15-20 minutes.
Raelene Beggs says
What is Half and Half????
Imma says
Half milk and half heavy cream!
Mercy says
Hi, your website is absolutely wonderful. Thank you very much for taking the time to do it. I tried the chicken pot pie, the sauce was lovely but the crust was not too great. I live in Brazil and we don’t have puff pastry , so i made the 5 ingredient crust. I put half the sugar but it was still very sweet and very very crumbly. What did i do wrong?
ImmaculateBites says
So sorry to hear this . Can’t say for sure what the culprit is without actually being there. Happy to hear the sauce was lovely.
Audry says
I made this with my own three ingredient crust (flour, salted butter, water) and substitute the chicken for mushrooms.. it was amazing. My mom said she wanted the taste in her mouth forever. My boyfriend said its the best food he’s had in a long time. I served it with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans. Thank you for this recipe!
imma africanbites says
Thanks for sharing those tips, Audry! I’m so happy it turned out great for you.
Sylvia- Jane Trudeau says
Hello can you tell us what you mean for half and half? Thank you
imma africanbites says
Hi, Sylvia. Half and half means equal parts of whole milk and light cream.
Jaime says
Hallo, Imma!
This looks wonderful, and I can’t wait to try it – but I have a question.
The photographs suggest that you are lining your baking vessels, whether casserole or ramekin, with pastry for a bottom crust – but the instructions make no mention of that – they seem to suggest that you’re just putting a crust on the top. Which is it? And if you -are- using a bottom crust, do you par bake it before filling it?
Thanks!
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks for bringing this to my attention Jaime . Have updated recipe to make it more clearer. No bake baking necessary, unless you want to.