Chicken Pot Pies

Chicken pot pies are a delicious and comforting dish consisting of a creamy filling of chicken, vegetables, and seasonings, all encased in a flaky, golden crust. Here’s a simple recipe to make homemade chicken pot pies:

Ingredients:

For the filling:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed (rotisserie chicken works well)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream (or milk for a lighter option)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary (optional)

For the crust:

• 2 sheets of store-bought puff pastry or pie crusts (or homemade if preferred)
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions:

1. Make the filling:

1. In a large skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, cooking for about 5-7 minutes, until softened.
3. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to combine, cooking for about 1 minute.
5. Slowly add the chicken broth while stirring to prevent lumps. Stir in the cream and bring the mixture to a simmer.
6. Once the mixture thickens (about 5-10 minutes), add the chicken, peas, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and remove from heat.

2. Prepare the crust:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. If using puff pastry, roll it out on a floured surface to fit your pie dish. If using pie crust, place it in the bottom of a 9-inch pie dish.
3. Pour the chicken filling into the pie crust. Make sure it is evenly distributed.
4. Top with the second sheet of crust (or puff pastry) and press the edges together to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges and create a decorative pattern if desired.
5. Cut a few slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.

3. Bake:

1. Brush the top crust with the beaten egg to give it a golden finish.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
3. Let the pot pie cool for a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy your homemade chicken pot pie!

You can also make individual pot pies using ramekins if you’d prefer smaller portions. Just follow the same process but use smaller crusts for each dish.