If you’re craving the ultimate comfort food that’s creamy, hearty, and wrapped in flaky goodness, you’ve come to the right place. This Homemade Chicken Pot Pie Recipe is absolutely one of my favorites to make when I want something that feels like a warm hug on a plate. When I first tried making it from scratch, I was amazed how much better it tasted than any store-bought version. You’ll find that the combination of tender chicken, fresh veggies, and rich gravy encased in buttery pie crust is just irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Double Crust Perfection: Both a flaky bottom and golden top crust seal in all those yummy flavors.
- Rich, Creamy Gravy: Made with half-and-half and fresh thyme, it’s thick, comforting, and super flavorful.
- Versatile & Customizable: Swap chicken for turkey, add more veggies, or try different herbs to make it your own.
- Great Make-Ahead Dish: You can prep filling or crust in advance, or freeze for later—perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe brings together simple, wholesome ingredients that work beautifully in harmony. When shopping, I recommend grabbing fresh veggies and quality chicken—trust me, it pays off in flavor. Using unsalted butter means you can control the saltiness perfectly.
- Chicken breast or thighs: Thighs stay juicy longer, but breasts work well too; cubing helps them cook evenly.
- Carrots: Fresh, firm carrots add sweet crunch to balance the creamy filling.
- Celery: Gives a subtle earthiness and great texture contrast.
- Unsalted butter: For that rich, buttery base in the gravy and crust.
- Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed gently.
- Garlic: Just a touch to brighten flavors without overpowering.
- All-purpose flour: The thickening agent that turns liquid into luscious gravy.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning toward the end to taste.
- Dried thyme: This fragrant herb is the star of the filling’s flavor profile.
- Chicken broth/stock: Use reduced sodium to avoid over-salting.
- Half-and-half: Adds richness but keeps the gravy silky, lighter than heavy cream.
- Frozen peas: Stirred in for little pops of sweetness and color.
- Egg and milk (for egg wash): Gives the pie crust its gorgeous golden shine.
- Pie crust: Either homemade or store-bought works; double crust needed for this recipe.
Variations
One of the things I love most about this Homemade Chicken Pot Pie Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Over the years, I’ve played around with veggies and proteins so it feels fresh every time. Don’t be afraid to get creative!
- Use turkey or leftover roast chicken: I often use bits from my Thanksgiving turkey—it saves time and adds extra flavor.
- Add potatoes or mushrooms: I like tossing in diced Yukon gold potatoes or sliced mushrooms for earthiness and extra heartiness.
- Swap the pie crust: Sometimes I switch to puff pastry on top for an elegant touch, though it can get a bit soggy underneath.
- Make it gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend for the gravy and a specialty gluten-free crust to accommodate dietary needs.
How to Make Homemade Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crust Ahead
I always make my pie crust the night before and chill it for at least two hours to get that perfect flaky texture. Whether you’re going homemade or store-bought, make sure the dough is cold before rolling out—it makes handling much easier and avoids shrinking in the oven. Roll out one disk for the bottom crust and keep the other chilled until you’re ready for the top.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken and Vegetables
Put the chicken, sliced carrots, and celery in a large pot and cover with water. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer for 10 minutes. This step cooks the chicken through and softens the veggies just right for that tender bite in every forkful. Once done, drain and set them aside while you prepare the gravy. I’ve found that boiling instead of frying keeps everything moist and clean-tasting.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Gravy
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter with chopped onion and garlic. Stir occasionally until the onions turn translucent and the butter starts to brown a little—this adds a lovely nutty depth to the gravy. Whisk in flour, salt, pepper, dried thyme, chicken broth, and half-and-half. Keep whisking until all lumps are gone, then let it simmer for about 10 minutes until it thickens up just right. The gravy should be rich and glossy, coating your spoon.
Step 4: Assemble Your Chicken Pot Pie
Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Roll out your bottom crust in a floured workspace and gently fit it into your pie dish. Fill it with the chicken and veggie mix, scatter frozen peas over the top, then pour your thickened gravy evenly to cover everything. Roll out the second crust and place it on top, trim any excess, and crimp all the edges firmly with a fork to seal. Don’t skip the slits on top—you want steam to escape for a perfectly baked pie.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Brush your pie crust with an egg wash (egg beaten with milk) for that beautiful golden, shiny finish. Bake for 32–38 minutes, but after 20 minutes, cover the edges with foil or a crust shield to prevent burning—this little step saved me from a sad too-dark crust more than once! Once golden and bubbly, let it cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing; this helps the filling set so it won’t spill everywhere when you cut into it.
Pro Tips for Making Homemade Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
- Chill Your Dough Well: Cold pie crust dough is less sticky and helps keep a flaky texture after baking.
- Simmer Gravy Slowly: Slow simmering thickens the gravy without lumps and develops deeper flavor.
- Protect Crust Edges Early: Cover edges after 20 minutes of baking to prevent burning while the center finishes cooking.
- Let the Pie Rest: Cooling it before slicing helps the filling set so you get clean slices and less mess.
How to Serve Homemade Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Garnishes
I like to add a few fresh thyme sprigs on top right before serving—it makes the pie look inviting and adds a burst of herbal aroma. Sometimes I’ll sprinkle chopped parsley for a fresh pop of color and brightness to balance the richness.
Side Dishes
Because the pot pie is so filling and hearty, I often serve it with a crisp green salad or steamed green beans for a lighter touch. Roasted Brussels sprouts or a simple slaw can add nice texture contrast and freshness too.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays or when we want to impress, I sometimes make individual pot pies in ramekins or mini pie tins—perfectly portioned and adorable. You can also shape the top crust with fun cutouts or braid edges for a pretty homemade look that wows guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
My family and I always look forward to leftovers because the filling thickens beautifully overnight. Store any uneaten pie in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. I like to cover the pie tightly with plastic wrap and then foil to preserve its freshness.
Freezing
I freeze the unbaked assembled pot pie wrapped tightly in two layers of plastic wrap and a layer of foil—this prevents freezer burn. It keeps well for up to 3 months. When I’m ready to bake, I thaw it overnight in the fridge and then bake as usual. You can also freeze just the filling or the crust dough separately.
Reheating
I reheat slices in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes to keep the crust crisp and filling creamy. Microwaving works in a pinch but tends to make the crust soggy, so I prefer the oven if I have time.
FAQs
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Can I use store-bought pie crust instead of homemade?
Absolutely! Store-bought double crust pie dough works perfectly for this recipe and saves time. Just make sure to keep it chilled before rolling and assembling. Homemade crust adds extra flavor but isn’t necessary to make a delicious pot pie.
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What’s the best way to prevent a soggy bottom crust?
Blind baking the bottom crust partially is one method, but I find boiling the chicken and veggies and thickening the gravy well really helps keep the bottom crust from getting soggy. Also, avoid adding too much liquid at assembly. Letting the pie rest before slicing also helps the filling set and avoid sogginess.
- Can I make this pot pie dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute the butter in the gravy with a dairy-free alternative like olive oil or a vegan butter, and use coconut milk or almond milk in place of half-and-half. Just note that the flavor and richness will be slightly different, but still tasty.
- How do I store leftover pot pie?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat slices in the oven to keep the crust crisp. You can also freeze leftovers tightly wrapped and thaw before reheating.
Final Thoughts
I truly love this Homemade Chicken Pot Pie Recipe because it hits that comfort food spot every single time. Whether it’s a cozy family dinner or a chance to impress friends, this pie delivers with its flaky crust, creamy filling, and familiar flavors that make everyone smile. I hope you get to try it soon and discover your own little twists. Trust me, once you make it from scratch you’ll wonder why you ever settled for anything less.
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Homemade Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Double Crust Chicken Pot Pie features a flaky homemade pie crust filled with tender chicken, carrots, celery, and peas in a rich, creamy herb-infused gravy. Perfect for a comforting family meal, it is baked to golden perfection with a buttery, flaky top crust and a luscious thick filling that’s great for leftovers.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- Homemade Pie Crust or All Butter Pie Crust (enough for 2 crusts: bottom and top)
Filling
- 1 pound (450g) skinless boneless chicken breast or thighs, cubed
- 1 cup (about 130g) sliced carrots (about 2 carrots)
- 1/2 cup (about 40g) sliced celery
- 1/3 cup (5 Tbsp; 71g) unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup (45g) chopped yellow onion (1/2 small onion)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/3 cup (41g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1 3/4 cups (420ml) chicken broth/stock (preferably reduced sodium)
- 2/3 cup (160ml) half-and-half (or equal parts heavy cream and whole milk, or all whole milk)
- 1 cup (125g) frozen peas
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg beaten with 1 Tablespoon (15ml) milk
Optional Garnish
- Sprigs of fresh thyme
Instructions
- Prepare the Pie Crust: Follow your chosen pie crust recipe through step 5, including chilling the dough for at least 2 hours or overnight. You will need two crusts for the bottom and top layers.
- Cook Chicken and Vegetables: In a large pot, combine cubed chicken, sliced carrots, and celery. Cover with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- Make the Gravy: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat with chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and butter is lightly browned. Whisk in flour, salt, black pepper, thyme, chicken broth, and half-and-half. Continue cooking and whisking until no lumps remain and the gravy thickens to a thick consistency, simmering for about 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning as desired. Remove from heat.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C).
- Roll Out Bottom Crust: On a floured surface, roll out one chilled dough disc into a 12-inch diameter circle. Place it carefully into a 9-inch deep pie dish, smoothing the sides and trimming excess dough.
- Assemble Filling: Spoon the cooked chicken and vegetable mixture into the pie crust. Evenly scatter frozen peas on top. Pour the prepared gravy over the filling, spreading it out evenly.
- Roll Out Top Crust: Roll out the second dough disc to a 12-inch circle. Cover the pie with this crust, trim excess edges, then crimp edges with a fork to seal. Cut a few slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape. Brush the entire top crust and edges with the egg wash.
- Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the oven and bake for 32–38 minutes until the crust is golden brown. After 20 minutes, cover the crust edges with aluminum foil or a pie crust shield to prevent over-browning.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh thyme if desired. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 5 days and reheat beautifully.
Notes
- You can prepare the filling and gravy one day in advance and assemble the pie the next day.
- The pie crust dough can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for 3 months; thaw overnight before using.
- Both unbaked and baked pot pies freeze well for 2-3 months; thaw overnight before baking or reheating.
- Store-bought refrigerated or frozen pie crusts can be used instead of homemade crust.
- You can skip the bottom crust and bake at 375°F (191°C) with adjusted bake time (35-40 minutes) if you prefer.
- Puff pastry works as a top crust alternative but may become soggy underneath.
- Biscuit topping is another excellent option, skipping the bottom crust.
- Use half-and-half or a mix of heavy cream and whole milk for a thick gravy; avoid lower-fat milks to prevent thin gravy.
- Leftover meat or vegetables, such as turkey, corn, Yukon gold potatoes, mushrooms, or zucchini, can be added but limit total veggies to about 2 cups plus one potato.
- Customize herbs by adding fresh parsley, rosemary, sage, or celery seed as desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pie)
- Calories: 440
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 100mg