Easy Chicken Pie Recipes You'll Love to Bake

Introduction to Chicken Pie Delights

Chicken pie is a comforting classic, loved for its delicious combination of tender chicken, savory vegetables, and a buttery, flaky crust. Whether you’re a baking enthusiast or a kitchen novice, this blog post offers a collection of easy chicken pie recipes that are perfect for any occasion. From quick weeknight dinners to more elaborate dishes for special gatherings, these recipes are designed to be simple yet satisfying, ensuring you’ll love to bake and serve these delightful pies.

The Basics of Chicken Pie

Before we delve into the recipes, let’s cover the fundamental components of a chicken pie:

• Crust: This can be either homemade or store-bought. The traditional crust is made from flour, butter, and water, offering a flaky texture that contrasts beautifully with the filling.
• Filling: Typically, it includes chicken, vegetables (like peas, carrots, celery, and onions), and a creamy sauce thickened with flour or cornstarch. The sauce often includes herbs and spices for flavor.

Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

Here’s a straightforward recipe for chicken pot pie that uses store-bought puff pastry for convenience:

• Ingredients:
  • 2 sheets of puff pastry
  • 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 egg, beaten for egg wash
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix the chicken soup, milk, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cooked chicken and vegetables.
  3. Roll out one sheet of puff pastry to fit your pie dish. Place it into the dish, pressing it into the corners.
  4. Pour the filling into the pie dish over the pastry.
  5. Cover with the second sheet of puff pastry, sealing the edges. Cut slits for ventilation.
  6. Brush the top with egg wash for a golden finish.
  7. Bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.

Notes:

✨ Note: To save time, you can use rotisserie chicken for this recipe. Just shred or chop it before mixing into the filling.

Hearty Chicken and Mushroom Pie

This recipe adds mushrooms for an extra depth of flavor, making it rich and hearty:

• Ingredients:
  • 2 pie crusts (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 lb chicken breast, diced
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp dried sage
  • Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook the chicken until browned, then set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté onions, garlic, and mushrooms. Once cooked, sprinkle flour over and cook for a minute.
  4. Slowly add stock and cream, stirring to avoid lumps. Return the chicken to the skillet, add sage, salt, and pepper. Simmer until thickened.
  5. Line a pie dish with one crust. Add the filling, cover with the second crust, and seal the edges. Make vents for steam to escape.
  6. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the crust is golden brown.

Chicken Shepherd’s Pie Twist

This twist on the classic uses a mashed potato topping, giving a new texture and flavor to the beloved chicken pie:

• Ingredients:
  • 1 lb chicken, cooked and shredded
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 1 cup peas
  • 2 cups mashed potatoes
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • Fresh thyme, salt, and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a pot, melt butter, stir in flour, then gradually whisk in broth and milk. Cook until thickened.
  3. Add vegetables and chicken to the sauce. Pour into a baking dish.
  4. Spread mashed potatoes over the top. You can create peaks with a fork for a rustic look.
  5. Bake for 30 minutes or until the potatoes are golden brown on top.

Enhancing Your Chicken Pie

To elevate your chicken pies, consider these tips:

• Seasoning: Experiment with different herbs like rosemary, tarragon, or parsley.
• Veggie Variations: Try adding leeks, spinach, or corn for different flavor profiles.
• Crust Innovations: Use phyllo dough for a lighter crust or experiment with a biscuit topping.

The beauty of chicken pie lies in its versatility. These recipes are just a starting point; feel free to adjust ingredients to suit your taste or dietary preferences. Whether it's a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, baking a chicken pie brings warmth and a sense of homeliness to your table.

The delightful aroma, the golden crust, and the comforting filling make chicken pie a timeless dish. Whether you choose the simplicity of an Easy Chicken Pot Pie, the savory richness of a Hearty Chicken and Mushroom Pie, or the playful twist of a Chicken Shepherd's Pie, each version offers something unique. Baking chicken pies not only fills your home with delicious scents but also provides the opportunity to indulge in a tradition that's both comforting and innovative.

Can I freeze chicken pie?

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Yes, you can freeze chicken pie. Assemble the pie as directed, but do not bake it. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding about 20-30 extra minutes to the baking time, or thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.

How do I prevent a soggy bottom crust?

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To prevent a soggy crust, you can blind bake the bottom crust before adding the filling. Another tip is to brush the bottom crust with egg wash or a thin layer of mustard before adding the filling, which acts as a barrier against the moisture from the filling.

What can I use instead of cream of chicken soup?

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You can make your own sauce using butter, flour, chicken broth, and cream. Melt the butter, whisk in flour to form a roux, then slowly add the broth and cream while stirring constantly until it thickens.