Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie is the epitome of comfort food—a wholesome and hearty dish that warms both the body and soul. This classic recipe features tender chicken, a luscious creamy sauce, and a medley of vegetables, all enveloped in a flaky and buttery Savory Tart Crust. While the process may seem a bit time-consuming, each component can be prepared ahead of time, making the final assembly a breeze. Whether you’re starting from scratch or utilizing leftover chicken, this dish is bound to be a family favorite.

MAKES: 4 to 6 servings

TIME: About 2 hours

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 whole chicken, 3 to 4 pounds, trimmed of excess fat
• 2 onions, quartered
• 3 bay leaves
• 10 whole black peppercorns
• Salt
• 1 recipe Savory Tart Crust, chilled
• 2 tablespoons butter or extra virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing the baking dish
• 1 cup pearl onions, peeled (frozen are fine; run under cold water to thaw a bit, then drain)
• 2 large or 4 small to medium carrots, diced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried sage
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup cream
• 1 cup peas (frozen are fine; don’t bother to thaw)
• 1 egg, beaten

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Put the chicken and onions in a large pot with just enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to medium-low. Skim any foam that rises to the surface. Add the bay leaves, peppercorns, and a generous pinch of salt. Simmer until the chicken and vegetables are nearly tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 45 minutes. The bird is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 155–165°F.
2. Remove the chicken to cool and save the cooking liquid. Remove the chicken meat from the bones, roughly chop or pull into pieces, and reserve. Return the carcass to the pot, and bring the liquid back to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes or so. Strain into a wide pot, bring the liquid to a boil, and reduce until you have about 1 1/2 cups. This can be done a day ahead.
3. Put 2 tablespoons butter or oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and carrots and cook, stirring frequently, until just beginning to soften. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the flour; continue cooking and stirring until it just turns tan. Add the sage and cook and stir for another minute. Add the chicken-cooking liquid and the cream to the vegetable-flour mixture and turn the heat up to medium. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to bubble and thicken, but don’t let it come to a rolling boil. Taste and adjust the seasoning, turn off the heat, and stir in the chicken pieces and the peas.
4. Roll out the tart crust large enough to cover the baking dish. Lay it on top of the dish and flute it as for a piecrust or just leave it draped over the sides a little. Use a sharp knife to cut 3 or 4 vents in the top. Brush the top with the beaten egg. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the crust is deeply golden and the filling is bubbling.

VARIATIONS:

• Faster Chicken Pot Pie: Utilize leftovers or a pre-cooked chicken. Skip Steps 1, 2, and 3, and start by putting chicken stock in a large pot and bringing it to a boil. Reduce by about half. Bone and chop the cooked chicken and proceed with the recipe from Step 4.

• Chicken Pot Pie with Mashed Potato Crust: Replace the tart dough with mashed potatoes. Proceed with the recipe through Step 5 or follow the first variation. In Step 6, top the filling with mashed potatoes and spread to cover. Bake as directed.

• Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuit Crust: Replace the tart dough with Buttermilk Biscuits. Proceed with the recipe through Step 5 or follow the first variation. In Step 6, roll out the biscuit dough into one piece large enough to cover the baking dish or cut into biscuits. Top the filling with the biscuit dough or the cut biscuits. Bake as directed.

Whether you choose to make the Savory Tart Crust from scratch or opt for the quicker variations using leftovers, Chicken Pot Pie is sure to delight with its rich and comforting flavors. Serve this delectable dish to friends and family, and watch as they savor every bite of this classic comfort food.