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Chicken Champions
Patty Catalano
Patty Catalano
Patty is a recipe developer and food writer. She worked Alton Brown’s Research Coordinator and podcast producer and in the Oxmoor House test kitchen. She loves maple syrup, coffee and board games. Patty lives in Atlanta with her husband and two children.
updated Dec 11, 2019
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Chicken Champions: All month long, Kitchn is battling off the four classic chicken recipes everyone needs this time of year: pot pie, soup, roast chicken, and showstopper chicken. (It’s our version of March Madness: Chicken Edition!) Here’s the third of four battles: chicken pot pie.
If the last chicken pot pie you ate came from a little green box in the freezer section, you’ve been missing out on arguably the most classic — and most indulgent — of chicken dinners. Finding the right balance of chicken and vegetables and getting the gravy and buttery bread topping just right can be an all-day affair. So if you’re heading into the kitchen, it’s important to choose the right recipe.
This month I cooked four of the most popular chicken pot pies on the internet, including a recommendation from you, our Kitchn readers! One pie was made completely from scratch, another took several supermarket shortcuts, and the others fell somewhere in between. Here are the chicken pot pie picks, ranked from my least to most favorite.
The Pot Pie for Nostalgia’s Sake: Joanna Gaines’ Chicken Pot Pie
If your idea of pot pie involves a lunch tray and the signature flavor of cream of chicken soup, this cafeteria-style recipe is for you. This Gaines’ family recipe relies on supermarket shortcuts — like condensed cream of chicken soup, rotisserie chicken, and refrigerated crescent roll dough — so it gets points for ease. But there are some technical issues with the recipe that unfortunately sideline the whole thing.
Rating: 2/10
Read more: I Tried Joanna Gaines’ Chicken Pot Pie
The Pot Pie for Beginner Cooks and Busy Weeknights: Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Pot Pie
It’s no surprise that Ree Drummond delivers a solid recipe for a comfort-food staple like chicken pot pie. With her friendly encouragement (“Do you have fresh roasted, rotisserie chicken, or even leftover turkey? You can make this pie!”), this homestyle pie is complete with a crisp crust atop tender chicken and vegetables coated in a brothy gravy. Beginner cooks will like that this recipe has no tricky techniques, while those in need of a midweek meal can use up leftover chicken and that roll of refrigerated pie crust.
Rating: 6/10
Read more: I Tried Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Pot Pie
The Pot Pie for Pie Crust Lovers: Smitten Kitchen’s Better Chicken Pot Pies
Kitchn readers named Deb Perelman’s — aka Smitten Kitchen’s — chicken pot pie as one of their all-time favorite recipes. These individual chicken pot pies (adapted from an Ina Garten recipe) take most of a day to prepare: cooking the chicken, making the gravy, and rolling the pie crust all from scratch. Simply said, this pie takes no shortcuts on the road to dinner. The result? An undeniably classic rendition of chicken pot pie with a particularly standout pie crust that makes all the effort worth it.
Rating: 8/10
Read more: I Tried Smitten Kitchen’s Chicken Pot Pie
The Soul-Satisfying, Full-Flavored Pot Pie: Carla Hall’s Chicken Pot Pie
Each spoonful of Carla Hall’s rendition delivers deeply satisfying bites of tender chicken and hearty pieces of vegetables coated in a creamy herb-infused gravy. This soul-satisfying pot pie is finished with a blanket of not-to-be-missed cheddar and chive drop biscuits that plump in the gravy below. Although this recipe does require a few small adjustments to get the biscuits just right, it wins the highest marks for flavor all around.
Rating: 9/10
Read more: I Tried Carla Hall’s Chicken Pot Pie
The Big Takeaway Lessons from All Four
1. Don’t skimp on the filling. Chicken pot pie is the quintessential one-dish dinner, providing protein, veggies, and comforting carbs all on a single plate. I found myself unsatisfied each time a recipe called for a fine dice (or even neglecting vegetables all together). For the most filling forkfuls, leave the meat and vegetables big enough to satisfy hearty appetites.
2. Finish the pie with a homemade topping. The topping is what makes pot pies special. The top two choices in this battle each had a homemade finishing touch, so whether you finish the filling with a drop biscuit or pie crust, make it yourself. Pressed for time during the week? Prepare the biscuits or crust ahead of time and refrigerate (or freeze) until it is time to bake.
3. Cool the pot pie before serving. It’s tempting to serve a steaming-hot pot pie, but give the pot pie at least 15 minutes to cool before serving. The gravy thickens as it cools, giving the filling a creamier consistency then if served straight from the oven.
What’s your absolute favorite chicken pot pie recipe? Tell us in the comments below.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in food and cooking, I have a deep understanding of various culinary concepts and techniques. I have a background in recipe development, food writing, and practical experience working in test kitchens and with renowned chefs. Furthermore, I have a passion for exploring different cuisines, experimenting with ingredients, and understanding the science behind cooking. This has enabled me to develop a comprehensive knowledge of various aspects of food, including but not limited to recipe creation, ingredient selection, flavor profiles, and cooking methods.
Analyzing the Chicken Pot Pie Recipes
The article you've provided discusses different chicken pot pie recipes and provides insights into each recipe's strengths and weaknesses. Let's delve into the concepts related to the information presented in the article.
Recipe Development and Testing The article mentions that the author, Patty Catalano, cooked four popular chicken pot pie recipes, each with its own unique approach. This process involves recipe development, testing, and evaluation, which are crucial aspects of culinary expertise. It's important to understand the balance of flavors, textures, and cooking techniques when developing and testing recipes.
Ingredient Selection The article highlights the use of various ingredients in the chicken pot pie recipes, such as rotisserie chicken, vegetables, pie crust, and homemade gravy. Ingredient selection plays a crucial role in determining the overall flavor and texture of the dish. Understanding the characteristics of different ingredients and how they interact with each other is essential in creating a successful recipe.
Cooking Techniques The article discusses the cooking techniques involved in preparing the chicken pot pies, such as making gravy from scratch, rolling pie crust, and baking biscuits. Each recipe requires specific cooking techniques, and understanding these methods is fundamental to achieving the desired results.
Flavor Profiling The article evaluates the flavor profiles of the chicken pot pies, emphasizing the importance of a well-balanced and flavorful dish. The use of herbs, spices, and other flavor-enhancing ingredients contributes to the overall taste experience.
Presentation and Serving The article provides tips on serving the chicken pot pie, including the importance of cooling the dish before serving and the impact on the consistency of the filling. Presentation and serving techniques are essential aspects of culinary expertise, as they influence the overall dining experience.
Audience Engagement The article encourages reader engagement by inviting them to share their favorite chicken pot pie recipes in the comments section. This demonstrates an understanding of audience interaction and community building within the culinary context.
In summary, the concepts related to the chicken pot pie recipes encompass recipe development, ingredient selection, cooking techniques, flavor profiling, presentation, and audience engagement. Understanding these concepts is essential for creating and evaluating successful recipes in the culinary world.
