Nothing beats the comforting, flaky crust and rich, creamy filling of an Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe. This classic homemade dish is my go-to for cozy dinners, and I’m excited to share how simple it is to pull off a pot pie that tastes like it took hours but really doesn’t.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I remember the first time I made this chicken pot pie—it came out perfectly golden and creamy without any fuss. This recipe really takes the stress out of what can sometimes feel like an intimidating dish, and the results are always crowd-pleasing.
- Comfort in every bite: The creamy filling paired with flaky crust is pure homey goodness.
- Make-ahead friendly: You can prep the filling or dough ahead and bake it fresh when you’re ready.
- Flexible and forgiving: Swap veggies or add herbs to match your tastes without messing it up.
- Simple ingredients: No complicated steps—everything comes together with what you likely have on hand.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays a part in creating that classic pot pie flavor and texture. I love using Yukon gold potatoes because they hold their shape well but still get tender. The combination of butter and olive oil helps cook the veggies beautifully without burning. And a homemade pie crust? That’s just the best finishing touch.
- Pie crust: Whether store-bought or homemade, a good pie crust is essential for a flaky, golden top.
- Chicken: Rotisserie chicken keeps this recipe quick and adds great flavor without extra work.
- Yukon gold potatoes: Their waxy texture holds up well and adds creaminess.
- Carrots, celery, onion: Classic pot pie veggies add sweetness and depth.
- Garlic: Just a little to elevate the savory notes.
- Unsalted butter & olive oil: Butter brings richness, olive oil keeps things from browning too fast.
- Flour: To thicken the filling into that perfect creamy consistency.
- Chicken broth: The base flavor booster for the filling.
- Milk & cornstarch: Help create a velvety, thick sauce.
- Herbs & spices: Parsley, oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage and chicken bouillon add that classic savory depth.
- Frozen peas: Tossed in at the end for a burst of color and fresh flavor.
Make It Your Way
One of the best parts about this Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe is how you can tweak it to suit what’s in your fridge or your mood. I often swap in sweet potatoes for a twist, and sometimes add a handful of fresh thyme to brighten things up.
- Vegetarian variation: Replace chicken with mushrooms or tofu and use vegetable broth for a tasty meat-free option.
- Seasonal veggies: Feel free to add green beans, corn, or even butternut squash depending on the time of year.
- Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free pie crust and rice flour or cornstarch to thicken the filling.
- Make it spicier: A pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika adds warmth if you like a little kick.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Pie Crust Dough
I like to make my pie crust the day before and keep it chilled in the fridge—this makes rolling it out a breeze. If you’re short on time, store-bought is totally fine. Just remember to chill it well before rolling so it doesn’t get sticky or tear.
Step 2: Cook the Veggies and Potatoes
To get the perfect tender potatoes without boiling forever, I microwave them with a bit of water for about 6 minutes. Meanwhile, I soften onions, carrots, and celery in butter and olive oil until they’re just right—not mushy, but fragrant and golden.
Step 3: Build the Filling Sauce
Sprinkle the flour over the softened veggies and cook it for a couple of minutes—that’s the secret to a rich, thick filling. Then add the broth, milk mixed with cornstarch, chicken bouillon, and your herbs. Stir constantly while it simmers until you get that creamy sauce that clings perfectly to every bite.
Step 4: Combine Everything
Off the heat, stir in shredded chicken, the steamed potatoes, and frozen peas. Give it a taste and adjust seasoning—sometimes a sprinkle more salt or pepper makes it just right. Then spoon the filling into your pie dish, ready for the crust cap.
Step 5: Top with Rolled-Out Pie Crust
Roll out your chilled dough into a large circle and carefully place it over the filling. I like to fold the edges over and crimp them with my fingers for a rustic look. Don’t forget to cut slits on top—that helps steam escape and keeps the crust from getting soggy.
Step 6: Brush and Bake
Brush the middle of the crust with egg wash—it gives that brilliant golden shine—but I usually skip the edges to prevent them from darkening too fast. Pop it in a 375°F oven for 40-55 minutes, watching closely near the end. If edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil.
Step 7: Let it Rest and Serve
I never skip the resting time after baking—the filling sets up and the flavors meld. After 5-10 minutes, cut yourself a generous slice, and enjoy that warm, comforting hug on a plate.
Top Tip
From my experience, pot pies can be tricky if you don’t get certain small things right, but a few tips I've learned make all the difference.
- Chill that dough well: Keeping the pie crust cold prevents shrinking and tearing while baking.
- Microwave potatoes first: It speeds up cooking without risking a watery filling.
- Don’t skip egg wash: It’s worth that golden, glossy crust at serving time.
- Watch the edges: Foil shield protects the crust from burning without slowing down overall baking.
How to Serve Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a little fresh chopped parsley on top to brighten the rich flavors. Sometimes I add a few thyme leaves or even freshly cracked pepper for a rustic touch. It’s subtle but adds a freshness that makes the pie feel homemade and special.
Side Dishes
This pot pie stands strong on its own but pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or roasted Brussels sprouts. If you want a cozy meal, creamy mashed cauliflower or garlic butter green beans are wonderful too.
Creative Ways to Present
Planning a special dinner? Try making individual mini pot pies in ramekins or muffin tins for cute, portion-controlled servings. Or serve the pot pie with decorative lattice crust or shapes cut from extra dough, turning a casual dinner into a charming centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually let the pot pie cool completely, then cover tightly and refrigerate any leftovers for up to 5 days. To keep the crust crisp, I prefer reheating smaller portions rather than the whole pie at once.
Freezing
This recipe freezes nicely! You can freeze the unbaked assembled pie wrapped well in plastic and foil for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen—just add extra bake time and watch for bubbling filling and golden crust.
Reheating
I like to reheat leftovers in the oven at 300°F, loosely covered with foil to prevent over-browning, for 20-30 minutes until warmed through. If short on time, the air fryer at 365°F for about 5 minutes works wonders to crisp the crust again.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Leftover rotisserie or baked chicken works perfectly and saves time. Just shred it before adding to the filling.
Making sure the filling is thick and not too watery helps a lot. Also, pre-cooking the potatoes and vegetables reduces excess liquid. Cutting slits in the crust allows steam to escape, keeping the crust crisp.
Yes! Both the filling and dough can be made up to two days ahead and refrigerated separately. Assemble the pie and bake just before serving for best results.
Mushrooms, tofu, or a mix of hearty vegetables like butternut squash and green beans work great as substitutes. Just use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it flavorful.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe has become one of my family’s favorites for good reason—it’s reliable, delicious, and just feels like a warm hug in food form. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight treat or a special occasion, I truly believe this recipe will become a staple in your kitchen, too. Give it a try—you’ll be surprised how easy and rewarding homemade pot pie really is.
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Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Classic Chicken Pot Pie features a flaky, golden pie crust filled with a creamy mixture of shredded chicken, vegetables, and herbs. This comforting main course is perfect for a hearty family meal and can be made ahead for convenience.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 1 recipe pie crust (or store-bought pie crust)
- 1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream (egg wash)
Pot Pie Filling
- ½ cup milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 ½ cups shredded chicken (like rotisserie)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups Yukon gold potatoes, peeled, chopped ½-inch cubes
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
- ¾ cup sliced celery
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 ½ teaspoons chicken bouillon
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon rubbed sage
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup frozen peas (do not thaw)
Instructions
- Make the Pie Dough: Prepare the pie dough recipe through making the dough into a disc and chilling. Chill the dough for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight up to 5 days.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Milk Slurry: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Whisk together the ½ cup milk and 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch in a small bowl and set aside.
- Microwave Potatoes: Place the chopped potatoes and ¼ cup water in a microwave-safe bowl with a lid. Cover and microwave for 6 minutes until fork tender. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large braiser or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions, carrots, and celery, saute for 6-8 minutes until onions soften. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
- Add Flour: Sprinkle ⅓ cup flour over the vegetables and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a thick paste.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Reduce heat to low and stir in 3 cups chicken broth, whisk in milk and cornstarch mixture, then add chicken bouillon, parsley, oregano, thyme, salt, rubbed sage, rosemary, and pepper.
- Simmer and Thicken Sauce: Bring the mixture to a simmer while whisking constantly. Allow it to thicken to desired consistency, noting it will be thinner than final. Adjust by simmering longer for thicker sauce or adding broth/milk for thinner consistency.
- Combine Filling: Remove from heat and stir in shredded chicken, drained potatoes, and frozen peas. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Transfer filling to a 9-inch, 1 ½ to 2-inch deep pie pan.
- Roll Out Dough: Roll the chilled dough on lightly floured parchment paper into an 11 to 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer the dough over the filling, then peel back the parchment.
- Form Crust Edges and Vent: Fold overhanging dough back over itself to create a thick crust and flute or crimp edges. Cut 6-8 slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape. Brush the top crust lightly with egg wash, avoiding the edges.
- Bake the Pot Pie: Bake the pie at 375°F for 55 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Cover edges with foil if they brown too quickly. Add extra slits if crust puffs.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pot pie to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to set the filling.
Notes
- Chicken bouillon enhances the gravy's flavor and can be added directly without dissolving first.
- Make ahead: the filling can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 48 hours; reheat with a splash of milk before assembling and baking.
- The pie dough can be refrigerated for 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before use.
- To store leftover pie, cool completely and refrigerate up to 5 days.
- Reheat individual slices in microwave for 90 seconds plus increments of 15 seconds as needed, or air fry at 365°F for 5 minutes. Oven reheating is also possible at 300°F covered with foil for 20-30 minutes.
- If crust edges brown too fast during baking, use foil or a pie shield to protect them.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
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