Chicken Pot Pie
My girls love chicken pot pies and I'm embarrassed to say I don't make them that often. There are a few good commercial brands on the market that we pick up at the market but when I look at some of the ingredients on the label I realize I need to start making them from scratch and freeze some.
I'm not saying I feel guilty about serving my kids commercial products and won't keep buying them frozen pot pies for convenience, but I think this could be one of those recipes your kids would enjoy preparing with you on a Saturday afternoon.
Let's Talk about Pot Pies
Rich, savory chicken stew hiding under a pastry crust. It doesn't get much more comforting than this, or more universally appealing. This is a meal our whole family can agree on.
You can make pot pies with just chicken, and have a salad on the side. Or you can add a lot of vegetables to the filling. Depending on how busy your day is, you use a premade crust, homemade crust or even puff pastry.
Part craft project, I think your kids will love help making these, especially if they are individually portioned in ramekins. Another great thing about making these in individual servings is that you can customize the filling based on your family's tastes.
Kids don't like mushrooms? No problem - don't put mushrooms in their servings.
Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- 2 cups velouté sauce made with chicken stock
- ½ cup heavy cream whipping cream or half and half
- salt and pepper to taste
- poultry seasoning to taste (optional)
- ½ lemon juice from
For the Pot Pies
- 1 pound chicken breasts boneless, skinless or thighs, cut into cubes
- pinch salt and freshly ground pepper
- 2 cups diced vegetables - carrot carrots, celery, peas, pearl onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, butternut squash, green beans, corn, lima beans, etc.
- 2 cups prepared sauce supreme
- 2 tablespoons cold butter cut into small pieces
- pastry crust of choice either store bought or homemade pastry crust
Instructions
For the Sauce Supreme
- Bring the veloute sauce to a boil and stir in the cream or half and half. Simmer over medium-low heat until reduced by about ¼, stirring frequently.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper and the optional poultry seasoning, as necessary. The sauce should be thick.
- Stir in the lemon juice.
For the Pot Pies
- Arrange the chicken pieces in the bottom of your ramekins or casserole. Sprinkle with just a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Add the vegetables followed by another pinch of salt and pepper.
- Pour the sauce Suprème over the vegetables.
- Dot the sauce with a bit of butter and then arrange the crust over all. If only using a top crust, wet the rim of your ramekins or casserole and press the crust down to seal. If using a bottom crust, press the top crust to the bottom crust. Cut several vent holes in the crust and bake at 425°F for about 30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Let cool for ten minutes before serving.
Variations
- Make a decorative lattice top for your crust by cutting and weaving strips of pie dough.
- Add some diced hard-boiled egg to your pot pie.
- Any fresh, seasonal herbs can be stirred into your sauce before pouring it over the chicken and vegetables. Tarragon is particularly nice in the springtime, but use what your family likes.
- Some cooked and crumbled bacon makes a nice addition to pot pie.
- Pot pie is a great way to use up leftovers, so look in the fridge and use any leftover cooked or fresh vegetables that you have on hand.
- Rather than using raw chicken, use leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken.
Notes
Jenni
I do love a good pot pie. And the weather is kind of cold and dreary right now--perfect for pot pie!
Lisa Plevyak
My family loves pot pies, cant wait to try this one, seems so easy!
LouAnn
Love love Chicken Pot Pie. Reminds me of cozy winter nights growing up.
Sherry O'Dett
My family loves pot pie.. I like to try various recipes they are fun to try!
Linda
I like the freedom to choose the veggies for the potpies. Everyone can have what they like and avoid what the choose.
Dan
You didn't specify if the chicken was precooked. I am serving this for several people tomorrow, I hope that it didn't need to be precooked chicken.