Want the cozy, comforting flavors of a classic Chicken Pot Pie without all the work? This Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie recipe brings you all the richness of the traditional dish with a fraction of the effort. Tender chunks of chicken, hearty vegetables, and a creamy sauce all come together in your slow cooker, allowing you to go about your day while your meal practically cooks itself. To top it off, serve with buttery biscuits or puff pastry for that classic pot pie finish!
Read on for a step-by-step guide, tips for substitutions and variations, and serving ideas to make this meal your new family favorite!
What is Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie?
Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie is a simplified version of the classic dish, made using a slow cooker. Instead of baking a pie in the oven, the ingredients like chicken, vegetables, and a creamy sauce cook slowly in the crock pot, melding together into a rich and flavorful stew. Toward the end of cooking, you add pre-made biscuits, puff pastry, or crescent rolls on top or serve them on the side to recreate that flaky crust you love from traditional pot pie. It's the ultimate comfort food with minimal effort!
Ingredients List for Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (like peas, carrots, and corn)
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- Biscuits, puff pastry, or crescent rolls, for serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Substitutions and Variations
This recipe is wonderfully flexible, so you can adjust it based on your dietary preferences, or what you have on hand. Here are some ideas for substitutions and variations:
- Chicken: Use chicken thighs for a richer flavor, or substitute with turkey if that’s what you have. Leftover cooked rotisserie chicken can also work—just add it in the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking.
- Vegetables: Feel free to use whatever vegetables you have on hand. Fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables all work. Green beans, mushrooms, or celery can make great additions.
- Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk or any non-dairy cream alternative in place of the heavy cream for a dairy-free version.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute the flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free thickener, and serve with gluten-free biscuits or bread.
- Puff Pastry Topping: Instead of biscuits, you can use puff pastry. Bake the puff pastry separately in the oven and serve it on top of the crock pot filling just before serving for that flaky, buttery finish.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Let’s get started on this easy, flavorful Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie. It takes just a few minutes of prep, then your crock pot does the rest!
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
- Chop the chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into bite-sized cubes. Set aside.
- Dice the vegetables: Dice the potatoes, onions, and garlic. If using fresh vegetables like carrots or celery, dice them now as well.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics (Optional)
- Sauté the onion and garlic: For extra depth of flavor, heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the diced onion and garlic until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. This step is optional but adds a lot of flavor.
Step 3: Add Ingredients to the Crock Pot
- In your crock pot, combine the cubed chicken, potatoes, mixed vegetables, onion and garlic (if sautéed), chicken broth, and herbs (thyme, parsley, and bay leaf).
- Season with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Thicken the Sauce
- Mix the flour: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and heavy cream until smooth. If using cornstarch, mix it with a bit of cold water to create a slurry.
- Pour this mixture into the crock pot, stirring it in to combine. This will help thicken the sauce as it cooks.
Step 5: Cook the Chicken Pot Pie Filling
- Set the crock pot: Cover the crock pot and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- Stir occasionally if possible, to ensure even cooking.
Step 6: Add Biscuits or Puff Pastry
- Bake the biscuits or puff pastry: If using store-bought or homemade biscuits, bake them separately according to the package instructions in the last 20-30 minutes of crock pot cooking.
- You can also bake puff pastry or crescent rolls in the oven and serve them alongside or on top of the chicken pot pie filling when done.
Step 7: Taste and Adjust
- Taste the filling and adjust seasoning if necessary. Add more salt, pepper, or herbs to suit your taste.
Step 8: Serve
- Once the filling is done and thickened, serve hot! Spoon the chicken pot pie filling into bowls and top with a freshly baked biscuit or puff pastry. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are a few common mistakes to watch out for when making Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie:
- Not thickening the sauce: Make sure to whisk the flour (or cornstarch) into the cream or broth to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Overcooking the vegetables: To avoid mushy vegetables, cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces and avoid using delicate vegetables like zucchini unless adding them toward the end of cooking.
- Adding biscuits too early: The biscuits or puff pastry should be baked separately and added just before serving to avoid becoming soggy.
Serving and Presentation Tips
While Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie is a rustic, comforting dish, there are a few ways to make it look as great as it tastes!
How to Serve Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie
- Family Style: Serve the chicken pot pie filling directly from the crock pot with a bowl of biscuits, puff pastry, or crescent rolls on the side, so people can build their plates as they like.
- Individual Portions: For a more polished presentation, ladle the creamy chicken and vegetable filling into individual bowls and top each serving with a freshly baked biscuit or pastry.
Presentation Ideas for Chicken Pot Pie
- Fresh Garnish: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme over each portion adds a pop of color and fresh flavor.
- Buttery Finish: Brush your biscuits or puff pastry with melted butter before serving for a golden, glossy finish.
- Side Salad: Serve the dish with a simple green salad to lighten up the richness of the pot pie and add balance to the meal.
Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie Recipe Tips
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the filling ingredients the night before and store them in the fridge. In the morning, simply transfer everything into the crock pot and set it to cook.
- Freezing: The chicken pot pie filling freezes well. Store it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove or in the crock pot until warm.
- Leftovers: Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
A: Yes, rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut. Since it's already cooked, add the shredded rotisserie chicken to the crock pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent it from becoming overcooked.
Q: Can I cook this on high instead of low?
A: Yes, you can cook the recipe on HIGH for about 3-4 hours instead of LOW for 6-7 hours, but keep an eye on the chicken and vegetables to avoid overcooking.
Q: What’s the best way to thicken the sauce?
A: The best way to thicken the sauce is to whisk the flour (or cornstarch) into the cream before adding it to the crock pot. This ensures a smooth and lump-free sauce.
Q: Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen?
A: Absolutely! You can use fresh vegetables like diced carrots, celery, and peas. Just be sure to dice them small enough to cook thoroughly in the crock pot.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes! Substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or a non-dairy cream alternative. You can also use dairy-free butter in place of regular butter.
Conclusion
This Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie recipe is a perfect blend of hearty comfort food and easy preparation. With tender chicken, flavorful vegetables, and a creamy sauce all cooked to perfection in your slow cooker, this dish is a stress-free solution for weeknight dinners or cozy weekend meals. Whether you serve it with buttery biscuits, flaky puff pastry, or a simple side salad, this recipe will become a family favorite in no time! So grab your crock pot, get cooking, and enjoy the deliciousness of a homemade chicken pot pie without all the fuss!
PrintCrock Pot Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
This Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie recipe is an easy and comforting meal, featuring tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a creamy sauce, all cooked in the slow cooker. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe delivers classic chicken pot pie flavors with minimal effort. Top it with buttery biscuits for a perfect cozy dinner that the whole family will love!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (on low)
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 can refrigerated biscuits (for topping)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Place the chicken, carrots, celery, onion, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper into the Crock Pot. Pour in the chicken broth.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
- Shred the chicken directly in the Crock Pot.
- In a bowl, whisk together heavy cream and flour, then stir the mixture into the slow cooker. Let it cook for an additional 20-30 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Meanwhile, bake the biscuits according to package instructions.
- Serve the creamy chicken mixture with biscuits on top, and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- You can use frozen mixed vegetables to save time.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding more flour or broth as needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 980mg
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