The Ultimate Creamy Chicken Vegetable Pot Pie
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Fancy a bit of comfort? This pot pie recipe will hug you from the inside. It’s creamy, packed with flavour, and seriously satisfying. I used to dread making pastry, honestly.
Brief Overview
Meal Pies Dinners are a staple in British homes, bringing people together. This recipe is a medium effort, takes around 2 hours.
Serves 6-8 hungry bellies. Think of this as a chicken pot pie with puff pastry, but even better!
Main Benefits
Packed with chicken and veggies. It’s a great way to get some extra nutrients. Perfect for a Sunday roast alternative or easy chicken dinner ideas .
The best part? It’s absolute comfort food recipes .
Let’s get started! It is a pot pie chicken casserole
Time to Assemble Our Dream Pot Pie Meal Prep
For the pastry : 300g flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 150g cold butter, 50g veg shortening, 6-8 tbsp ice water, 1 egg. Honestly, sometimes I buy pre-made pastry! No shame in that.
Chicken filling : 700g chicken thighs, salt, pepper, olive oil, 1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 2 garlic cloves, 3 tbsp flour, 750ml chicken broth, 120ml cream, 200g peas and green beans, thyme and parsley.
Creamy Filling: The Heart of Chicken and Vegetable Pie
This recipe is all about that rich, creamy chicken recipes . The key is to slowly build the flavors. Don’t rush the sautéing of the vegetables.
Trust me, the aroma alone is worth the effort for the Individual chicken pot pies you will make
Alright, let's dive into what you need to make this amazing pot pie recipe . Honestly, getting the ingredients right makes all the difference.
It's a meal pie dinner that everyone will rave about. This can be your pot pie meal prep for the week!
Ingredients & Equipment
Let's talk about the bits and bobs you'll need. This chicken pot pie is proper comfort food. It's one of those easy chicken dinner ideas that feels like a hug.
Main Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 300g (2 1/2 cups).
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon .
- Cold unsalted butter: 150g (1 1/3 sticks or 5.3 ounces). It has to be cold! Seriously, cold butter makes flaky pastry.
- Cold vegetable shortening: 50g (1/4 cup).
- Ice water: 6-8 tablespoons .
- Egg wash: 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon milk.
- Chicken thighs: 700g (1.5 pounds). Good quality chicken makes a difference.
- Salt: 1 teaspoon .
- Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon .
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons .
- Yellow onion: 1 medium.
- Carrots: 2 medium.
- Celery: 2 stalks.
- Garlic: 2 cloves.
- All-purpose flour: 3 tablespoons .
- Chicken broth: 750ml (3 cups).
- Heavy cream: 120ml (1/2 cup). Creamy chicken recipes are the best!
- Frozen peas: 200g (1 cup).
- Frozen green beans: 200g (1 cup).
- Fresh thyme: 2-3 sprigs.
- Fresh parsley: 2 tablespoons .
- Dried bay leaf: 1
Seasoning Notes
This is where the magic happens.
Thyme, parsley, and bay leaf: The holy trinity for this pot pie recipe. This is the essential spice combination to remember!
Garlic and onion: They're the base for almost everything good, aren't they? Use fresh, it matters!
A pinch of nutmeg : Honestly, trust me on this one.
Flavor enhancers and aromatics : A splash of Worcestershire sauce adds depth. Chicken and vegetable pie, just imagine the flavor!
Equipment Needed
You don't need fancy gear to make this.
- Large bowl : Mixing time!
- Food processor : Optional for pastry. I often do it by hand.
- Rolling pin : To roll out the pastry
- 9 inch pie dish : Obvs.
- Large skillet or Dutch oven : For the filling.
There you have it! Easy, right? This list should get you sorted. Let's get cracking on the next step! This creamy chicken pot pie will be the best comfort food recipes you'll ever make!
Cooking Method: Pie Perfection Let's Get Cracking!
Fancy a proper comfort food recipes that'll warm you right up? Oh my gosh, let's dive into this pot pie recipe ! I'm talking about The Ultimate Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Pot Pie.
It's a twist on a British classic and trust me, it's easier than you think. Plus, this recipe is great for pot pie meal prep !
Prep Steps: The Mise en Place Lowdown
First things first. Get your ingredients prepped! That means chopping your onion and celery before you start cooking. Honestly, it saves so much time.
Cold butter and vegetable shortening are vital for that flaky crust. Seriously, keep that butter COLD .
step-by-step: From Humble Veg to Glorious Pie
Right, here's the easy peasy step-by-step guide.
- Make the Pastry: Whiz flour, salt, cold butter and shortening in a food processor till crumbly. Add ice water till it just comes together, then chill.
- Brown the Chicken: Season your 700g chicken thighs, then brown them in a skillet with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
- Sauté Veg: Soften 1 medium onion, 2 medium carrots and 2 celery sticks in the same skillet, then add garlic.
- Make the Sauce: Stir in 3 tablespoons flour, then gradually whisk in 750ml chicken broth. Add 120ml heavy cream, thyme and a bay leaf. Simmer until thickened.
- Combine: Return chicken, add 200g peas, 200g green beans, and parsley.
- Assemble: Roll out your pastry, transfer filling to a dish, and top with the pastry. Cut slits and brush with egg wash.
- Bake: Bake at 200° C ( 400° F) for 45- 55 minutes until golden.
Pro Tips: Level Up Your Pie Game
Want to be a pot pie pro? Here's the deal.
- Shortcut alert! Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Easy chicken dinner ideas sorted.
- Don't overwork the dough, otherwise it will be tough.
- Got leftovers? Boom, more meals that have leftovers ! This pot pie chicken casserole is great the next day.
And there you have it! I'll never forget one time when I was making this for my friends for a dinner party I didn't measure the ingredients properly and I got a big flop of a filling.
That was awful, but I learned my lesson.
If you are looking for meal pies dinners , individual chicken pot pies , or a good chicken and vegetable pie , well you got it! And it also serves as one of the best creamy chicken recipes .
So, get baking and enjoy this amazing chicken pot pie with puff pastry .
Alright, let's dive into some extra bits about this pot pie recipe , yeah? It's not just about following the steps, it's about making it your own .
Honestly, that’s where the magic happens.
Recipe Notes
Serving it Up Right: Plating & Pals
Presentation matters, you know? This pot pie recipe looks amazing on its own. But a little something extra never hurts.
Think about a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette. It cuts through the richness perfectly. Steamed green beans or asparagus are also great.
For drinks, a crisp white wine is ace. A light beer works too. Basically, keep it fresh and light to balance the comfort food recipe vibes.
Storing Your Masterpiece: Leftovers & Prep
So, you've got meals that have leftovers from your amazing bake. Score! This pot pie recipe keeps well. For the fridge, wrap it tightly or put it in an airtight container.
It'll be good for 3-4 days . To reheat, bung it back in the oven at 175° C ( 350° F) until warmed through.
If you want to do some Pot Pie Meal Prep , you can assemble the pie ahead of time. Just keep it unbaked in the fridge.
Then bake it when you’re ready. Freezing works too! But the pastry might be a bit less crisp. Cut into individual portions for easy defrosting.
This works great for individual chicken pot pies .
Twists and Turns: Variations on a Theme
Fancy a change? Sorted. Wanna adapt our meal pies dinners to suite yourself? Go vegetarian by swapping the chicken for mushrooms and butternut squash.
Turkey pot pie is boss too, using leftover roast turkey. For a gluten-free chicken pot pie with puff pastry alternative, use gluten-free flour.
You can always swap out the frozen peas and beans for your favourite seasonal veggies! If you are not into cream, you can substitute it for half and-half or whole milk
Nutrition Talk: The Good Stuff
Okay, let's be real, this pot pie recipe isn't exactly health food. But it's got some good stuff in there too! Think protein from the chicken and fibre from the veggies.
It's a balanced pot pie chicken casserole . Aim to keep your portion sizes reasonable, and you're golden. And you can make small adjustments to the ingredients to your specific needs.
Remember that we can improve the nutritional value by adding more vegetables.
Right, go forth and bake! Don’t be afraid to experiment with this creamy chicken recipes . If you are looking for easy chicken dinner ideas , this recipe is perfect and a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
You've got this!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this pot pie recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in the fridge. You can also make the pastry dough ahead of time and chill it for up to 24 hours, or even freeze it for longer storage. Just assemble and bake when you're ready for a cosy night in.
Think of it like prepping for your own personal Bake Off Mary Berry would approve!
My pot pie crust isn't golden brown. What did I do wrong?
A pale crust is a classic baking blunder, but easily fixable! Make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature and that you're using an egg wash. If the crust is browning too quickly, you can tent it with foil to prevent burning.
For a truly golden finish, try brushing with melted butter for the last 15 minutes of baking. Nobody wants a soggy bottom, after all!
What can I substitute if I don't have heavy cream for this pot pie recipe?
No cream, no worries! You can use half and-half or whole milk as a substitute, but bear in mind the sauce will be less rich and creamy. For a slightly thicker sauce, consider adding a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a little cold water to the filling while it's simmering.
It's all about adapting to what you've got in the larder, like a true wartime cook!
Can I freeze this pot pie recipe, either before or after baking?
Yes, you can freeze this pot pie! To freeze before baking, assemble the pot pie, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding about 20-30 minutes to the baking time. To freeze after baking, let the pot pie cool completely, then wrap well and freeze.
Reheat in the oven until warmed through; it might take a little longer than when it's fresh.
How can I make this pot pie recipe healthier?
Want to lighten things up a bit? Use whole wheat flour for the crust, reduce the amount of butter, or substitute some of the butter with applesauce. You can also increase the amount of vegetables and use less chicken. Swapping heavy cream for a lower fat milk alternative can cut down on the calories too.
It's still comfort food, just a slightly more virtuous version!
I only have puff pastry, can I use that instead of shortcrust for this pot pie recipe?
Absolutely! While shortcrust pastry is traditional, puff pastry makes a deliciously light and flaky topping. Just be aware that it will puff up more than shortcrust, so make sure you've cut enough slits in the top to allow steam to escape. It'll give your pot pie a more elegant, almost restaurant quality finish.
Mary Berry might even be impressed!
The Ultimate Creamy Chicken Vegetable Pot Pie
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 550-650 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 30-40g |
| Fiber | 4-6g |
