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Ultimate Comfort: Homemade Chicken Pot Pie from Scratch

Chicken Pot Pie is a quintessential comfort food. This hearty, warm dish is a perfect blend of tender chicken, vegetables, and a creamy sauce all enclosed in a buttery, flaky crust. It's the kind of dish that reminds you of home, offering a balance of savory, rich flavors and the kind of warmth that makes it hard to stop at just one bite.

In this guide, we will walk you through every step of making the perfect chicken pot pie from scratch. This recipe combines a flavorful filling with a golden, flaky crust. The ingredients are simple and can be found in most kitchens, but the process takes time and patience—though it’s completely worth it.

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Why Make Chicken Pot Pie from Scratch?

There are a number of reasons why you might want to take the time to prepare Chicken Pot Pie from scratch.

• Better Flavor: When you make the crust and filling from scratch, you can customize the seasoning, ingredients, and texture. Pre-made crusts and fillings just can't match the richness of a homemade recipe.

• Control Over Ingredients: Homemade recipes allow you to control exactly what goes into your meal. You can avoid preservatives, artificial flavors, and excess salt—making this not only more flavorful but also a healthier option.

• Satisfaction: There’s something inherently satisfying about creating a meal from start to finish. The work that goes into making your own crust and sauce might seem like a lot, but the payoff when you pull that golden pie out of the oven is unmatched.

With that said, let's dive into the detailed recipe for making a homemade Chicken Pot Pie.

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Ingredients

To make the perfect Chicken Pot Pie, you will need a variety of ingredients, both for the crust and the filling. Here is the full list:

For the Pie Crust:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

• 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water (you may need more or less depending on humidity)

For the Filling:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 2 celery stalks, diced

• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)

• 1 cup frozen peas

• 1 cup frozen corn kernels (optional, but adds nice sweetness)

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 2 cups chicken broth (preferably low-sodium)

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)

• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Egg Wash:

• 1 egg, beaten

• 1 tablespoon water

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s begin the process of making your homemade chicken pot pie. You’ll need to start with the crust, as it needs to chill before baking, and then move onto the filling, which you can prepare while the dough is resting.

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Step 1: Making the Pie Crust

1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. Use a whisk to ensure that everything is evenly mixed. The sugar is optional, but it helps to give the crust a light sweetness that balances the savory filling.

2. Cut the Butter into the Dry Ingredients:
   Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your hands, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits of butter scattered throughout. It’s essential that the butter stays cold, as that is what creates the flaky texture in the crust.

3. Add Ice Water:
   Gradually add 1/4 cup of ice water to the mixture, mixing it gently with a fork. Continue to add water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough begins to come together. You should be able to pinch the dough and have it hold together. Don’t overwork it.

4. Form the Dough and Chill:
   Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it just a couple of times to bring it together. Divide the dough in half, form two disks, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This resting period allows the gluten to relax and helps create a tender crust.

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Step 2: Preparing the Filling

While the dough is chilling, you can begin preparing the filling. This step requires a bit of time and attention to detail, but the result is a rich and creamy filling.

1. Sauté the Vegetables:
   In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.

2. Make the Roux:
   Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir well to combine. This forms a roux, which will thicken the sauce. Continue to cook the roux for about 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.

3. Add the Liquid:
   Slowly add the chicken broth while stirring constantly to avoid any lumps. Once the broth is fully incorporated, add the heavy cream. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes. You should end up with a creamy consistency, similar to a thick gravy.

4. Season the Filling:
   Stir in the fresh thyme, and season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Add the cooked chicken, frozen peas, and optional corn. Stir until everything is well combined and heated through. Remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside to cool slightly while you roll out the dough.

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Step 3: Assembling the Chicken Pot Pie

1. Preheat the Oven:
   While you are assembling the pie, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures that the crust will bake to a perfect golden-brown.

2. Roll Out the Pie Crust:
   Take one of the chilled dough disks and roll it out on a floured surface until it’s about 1/8-inch thick and large enough to fit your pie dish. Gently transfer the rolled dough into the pie dish, trimming any excess dough hanging over the edges.

3. Add the Filling:
   Spoon the cooled chicken and vegetable filling into the prepared pie crust. Spread it out evenly, making sure the filling is well-distributed.

4. Roll Out the Top Crust:
   Take the second disk of dough and roll it out as you did with the bottom crust. Carefully place the rolled dough over the top of the pie. Trim any excess dough, leaving about 1-inch of overhang. Fold the edges of the top dough underneath the bottom dough, and crimp them together to seal the pie.

5. Cut Slits for Venting:
   Use a sharp knife to cut a few slits in the center of the top crust. This will allow steam to escape during baking, preventing the crust from becoming soggy.

6. Apply the Egg Wash:
   In a small bowl, beat the egg with a tablespoon of water. Use a pastry brush to lightly brush the egg wash over the top crust. This will give the pie a beautiful, golden color when it bakes.

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Step 4: Baking the Chicken Pot Pie

1. Bake the Pie:
   Place the pie in the preheated oven on the middle rack. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling through the vents. Keep an eye on it after the first 25 minutes, and if the edges of the crust start to brown too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

2. Cool Before Serving:
   Once the pie is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set, making it easier to slice and ensuring that you don’t burn your mouth on the hot filling.

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Tips and Variations

• Customize Your Filling: Chicken Pot Pie is a versatile dish, and you can easily customize the filling. Some people like to add potatoes, mushrooms, or even a splash of white wine for extra depth of flavor. Feel free to experiment with the ingredients.

• Make-Ahead Option: If you’re short on time, you can make the pie in advance and freeze it before baking. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When you're ready to bake, cook from frozen for about 50-60 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.

• Crust Variations: While this recipe includes a buttery, flaky homemade crust, you can opt for a store-bought version if you're short on time. Alternatively, some people like to use puff pastry on top for a lighter, flakier finish.

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Conclusion

Homemade Chicken Pot Pie is a labor of love that rewards you with rich, comforting flavors in every bite. The combination of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and perfectly baked pie crust is something everyone will appreciate, whether it’s for a family dinner or a cozy weekend meal.