I’m not sure if you know this, but New England weather is predictably unpredictable. Threats of “Snowtober” have Massachusetts residents hemming and hawing.
Me? I’m embracing this weather!
As soon as September rolls around and Labor Day is gone, the only thing I mourn is the loss of my suntan. Fall and winter are my favorite seasons. I love the changing leaves and I even love the beautiful snow. (Until I have to drive in it, at least.) I don’t think I could live somewhere warm. I need the change of the seasons. More importantly, what place would comfort foods have in tropical climates? Would we still crave fall and winter favorites like chili, soup, mashed potatoes, pot roast, turkey dinners, and apple crisp?
It’s just not something I’ll willing to find out on my own.
For Lloyd’s birthday, I decided I would feed him like a king throughout the week. (Let me point out that he doesn’t eat too shabby the rest of the year!) However, I decided I would prepare some dishes we don’t normally eat and try to incorporate lots of his favorite ingredients. One dish that Lloyd really enjoys (or so he’d told me!) is chicken pot pie. I’d never made one from scratch, despite intentions to make one earlier in the year. I’ll admit, I’ve never been a big fan of chicken pot pie. The frozen variety (Banquet Brand, to be exact) popped up in our freezer from time to time as a kid, but I never really enjoyed it. Having never made this dish, I was a bit hesitant at how it would turn out. I feared a tasteless mush with gluey texture. The pressure was on to deliver. After researching many recipes, they all sounded fairly similar and relatively easy. When I mentioned to Lloyd that I would be making chicken pot pie for dinner, his face lit up.
Chicken Pot Pie
Servings vary
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1.5 lbs. chicken breasts, cubed
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter
- 1 C white onion, diced
- 1 C carrots, diced
- 1 C celery, diced
- 1 C potato, diced
- 2 tsp. thyme, chopped
- 4 C low-sodium chicken broth, divided
- 3/4 C flour
- 1 C frozen corn
- 1 C frozen peas
- 1-2 sheets Puff Pastry, thawed
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp. water
- salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
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In a pan over medium heat, add olive oil and cubed chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté until cooked through. Set aside.
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In the same pan over medium heat, melt butter and add onion, carrots, celery, potato and thyme. Cook until soft.
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Add one cup of chicken broth and stir. Slowly add flour until mixture has thickened. Add remaining broth and continue to stir until well combined. Bring to a boil.
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Reduce heat, add corn, peas, and chicken. Simmer for 15 minutes.
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Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 F.
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Pour the mix into baking dish or divide among baking dishes.
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While the mix comes to room temperature, roll out puff pastry. Roll out enough to cover the bowl or bowls, allowing a bit of and overhang.
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Cover bowl with pastry. Cut vents with a knife.
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In a bowl, whisk egg yolk with water. Brush the egg wash over the pastry. Let prepared bowl sit in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
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Place bowl on a cookie sheet and bake until top is golden brown, about 25 minutes.
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Remove from oven and let cool a bit. Serve warm.
*Tip: Filling freezes well. Let come to room temperature before pouring into baking dish and covering with puff pastry.*
With the help of my Pampered Chef Food Chopper, I was able to shave time off the prep as well as avoid the monotony of dicing vegetables. Using puff pastry is another time-save. The rest of the meal came together rather quickly, as it used staples like frozen veggies and chicken broth. I soon realized this dish was not nearly as intimidating as I had assumed. After the filling came together and cooled a bit, a quick taste test confirmed I was in the clear. I impatiently awaited the final product.
My first “from scratch” chicken pot pie tasted nothing like the the pot pies of my youth! This had excellent flavor and every bite was creamy and loaded with tender veggies and juicy chicken. Savory and studded with thyme, the broth was excellent for dipping the perfectly flakey and buttery crust.
I’ll trade an October dusting of snow for the guarantee of comfort food cravings like this any day.
I am not the biggest fan of cold weather but I do like it for the excuse to eat comfort food! I love chicken pot pie and yours sounds delicious!
So comforting! I love Chicken Pot Pie. I could eat it daily and never get tired of it! I too love fall and winter, but I don’t want my fall to end just yet
I can’t believe the weather – this is CRAZY! Good thing there are piping hot chicken pot pies to keep us warm.
Mmm I love chicken pot pie especially with puff pastry – this looks amazing!
Thanks, I’ll give it a try . . . it is one of my favourites.
Love the use of puff pastry, it looks gorgeous!
Yum yum yum! Chockfull of goodness Liz. I love Chicken Pot Pie one of my absolute favourites but I’ve not made it yet. There used to be a tiny whole in the wall place up the street from my house and they made the best meat, chicken and vegetable pies. I was so upset when they closed. It used to amaze me how they could make so many pot pies in such a tiny little place. People would travel clear across the city to pick up pot pies for lunch. Most of their lunch time would be fighting traffic to pick them up. But they were so worth it. All of the ingredients were fresh, most of the veggies came from the farm up the street. You’ve got my favourites in the pie can’t wait to try it.
I agree, I don’t think I could live in a tropical climate. I like to eat comfort foods too and as soon as it starts cooling down, I can’t wait!
Your chicken potpie looks SO good. I’d love to have that right now for lunch. haha.
Your chicken pot pie looks delicious! I love the look of the filling peeking through the top crust slits!
Oh my gosh, I could gobble this up for supper right now!
I always say if it weren’t for the fact that I have to drive to work in it, I would be just fine with winter weather! It’s the stress of commuting in it that really bugs me.
‘Tasteless, mushy goo’…now doesn’t that make me want to go out & buy a Banquet pot pie right now?!
Haha! Love it! I agree though, they never did have much flavor.
I LOVE pot pie- I think we eat it at least once a month, but I always like to try a different way of making it (like most recently I made it in the crock pot)- defintely need to try it with the puff pastry!
& can you please inform Craig that I should get to eat like a Queen the week of my birthday?! I would love to see him in the kitchen – ha!
That same Banquet brand used to show up at our table when I was a kid. Not so good. But your pie looks wonderful. Love the idea of using puff pastry–talk about easy! My husand would be like putty in my hands if I made this for dinner.
@Salad in a Jar, I do hope you’ll try it!
@Holly, Lloyd doesn’t cook either. Clearly.
@Liz (Little Bitty Bakes), Totally agree!
@Melanie @ Melanie Cooks, Thanks!
@Grace, It’s super easy once you get the hang of it!
@cassie @ bake your day, Thanks, Cassie!
I just made Vegetarian Pot Pies this weekend here in Ohio – must be something in the air – I love your use of the puff pastry, I used whole wheat pie crust. I think I saw Paula Dean use puff pastry once too – ingenious – You’re right on par with Paula!
This crazy weather has me wanting comfort food and more comfort food. This looks delicious!
That crust is beautiful, and I love that it is draped over the bowls for individual servings, yum!
So professional looking! I’m proud. Lloyd must have absolutely loved you.
@Lindsay @ Schnoodle Soup, Aw, thanks… I try!
@Erin, I know, extra dippage!
@Kaitlin, Thank you!
@Andrea @ cleanupeatup.com, Yes, it makes it soooo simple and tasty!
Chicken pot pie is always so comforting and yours looks delicious! I love the individual serving and how the crust pours over the side!
This looks really really good Liz! I love chicken pot pie (having grown up in the 70′s I even admit to a fondness for the boxed ones cause they were everywhere back then) and yours looks fantastic. I love the puff pastry topping.
This looks delicious! I’m glad you’re enjoying the cold weather! I live in Florida and have NO problem eating this sort of dish in 80 degree weather….I wasn’t meant for cold!
Happy birthday to Lloyd!
@Ann, Ok, so I suppose comfort food is acceptable in warm climates, then…
@janet@fromcupcakestocaviar, It makes it so easy!
This looks so good, just added it to my must make list, yum!
This looks gorgeous! Chicken pot pie is perfect for this time of year. Yum!
@Happy When Not Hungry, Thanks- it was delish!
@Joan Hayes@chocolate and more, I hope you do!
This is truly amazing!!! Thank you so very much for sharing…great pics!
what size baking dish?
Embrace away, Liz, because these pot pies are simply gorgeous! I can’t think of a more comforting cold-weather food and I love the look of your pot pies. Also those cute white crocks. Congrats on Top 9 today!!
Handsome totally loves pot pies too (actually, its one of the only things I’ve ever made him that he actually said he likes). Im not ready for snow yet but I will enjoy the fall. I like the change of seasons too – but I could give up cold winters for a while
I made this tonight – it was delicious, and almost as pretty as yours! My 21 year old is a bit pickier than he should be *ahem* and even he polished off every bit in his (onion soup) bowl
The puff pastry topping was the perfect touch, and makes the dish look really fancy – thanks for this great recipe!
I just cooked this and it is amazing!!!!!!!!!! Best chicken pot pie I’ve tasted in years. Thankyou so much!
@Sandra
, I’m so happy you enjoyed it and thanks for letting me know!
@Meagan @ Scarletta Bakes, Thanks, the white dish is from C&B!
@Laura Britt, Any! If you use one large one, you will spread your dough accordingly, or if you use smaller dishes, you will just cover with a smaller amount. It doesn’t really matter!
@Adele Forbes, Thank you!
This looks great!! Yummy!!
My girls love pot pie and I know they would go crazy for your version. After seeing your pictures though, I can’t make the recipe without some cute individual bowls. Back to the kitchen shop for me! I’m in Toronto and it’s been snowing here too.
@Barb @ Profiteroles & Ponytails, Yes, the bowls up the ante, for sure!