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Cozy Classic Chicken Pot Pie Recipe with Ultimate Flaky Crust Guide

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A comforting chicken pot pie with a creamy filling and an ultimate flaky crust, perfect for cozy dinners and made with simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (leftover roast chicken works beautifully)
  • 1 cup carrots, diced (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup peas (frozen peas add a nice pop of sweetness)
  • 1 cup potatoes, peeled and diced (Yukon gold recommended for creaminess)
  • 1/2 cup celery, diced
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter (adds richness to the sauce)
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (for thickening)
  • 2 cups chicken broth (homemade or a trusted brand like Swanson)
  • 1 cup whole milk or half-and-half (for creaminess; can substitute with dairy-free milk if needed)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme (adds subtle earthiness)
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional)
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (King Arthur brand works well for texture)
  • 1 tsp salt (for crust)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (key for flakiness!)
  • 68 tbsp ice-cold water (start with less and add as needed)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the crust: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp salt. Cut in 1 cup cold, cubed unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits. Slowly add 6-8 tbsp ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough just comes together. Don’t overwork it! Shape into two discs, wrap in plastic, and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Cook the filling: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/3 cup unsalted butter. Add diced carrots, celery, and potatoes. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables start to soften. Stir in 1/3 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes to get rid of the raw taste.
  3. Gradually whisk in 2 cups chicken broth and 1 cup milk or half-and-half. Stir constantly until the sauce thickens and bubbles gently (about 5 minutes). Season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, and garlic powder if using.
  4. Add 2 cups shredded cooked chicken and 1 cup peas to the sauce. Stir to combine and remove from heat.
  5. Assemble the pot pie: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out one chilled dough disc on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Fit it into a 9-inch pie dish, pressing gently into the corners.
  6. Pour the filling evenly into the crust. Roll out the second dough disc to cover the top. Trim excess dough and pinch edges to seal. Cut a few slits in the top crust to let steam escape.
  7. Optional: Brush the crust with a beaten egg or milk for a golden finish.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling. If edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil halfway through baking.
  9. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving to let filling set slightly.

Notes

Keep butter and water cold for the flakiest crust. Chill dough twice if needed. Precook filling to avoid soggy crust. Use vent slits on top crust to prevent puffing. Reheat leftovers in oven to keep crust crisp. Can freeze unbaked pie for up to a month.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken pot pie, flaky crust, comfort food, homemade pie, creamy filling, easy dinner, classic recipe