Best Frozen Chicken Pot Pie
Now and again I crave a good frozen chicken pot pie. Over the weekend I made a Marie Callendar (?) Chicken pot pie which was delicious. However, it was light on the chicken and vegetables and heavy on the sauce.
Anyone know of a superb pot pie with lots of chicken and vegetables and nice crust?
Anna V. Carroll
Jan 06, 2005 11:49AM
Trader Joe's froken chicken pot pie (and their turkey pot pie) are both delicious. Chicken pot pie has a white gravy and the turkey has brown.
Mr. Taster
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This is not frozen but have you tried the KFC pot pie? I hate to admit it but it is the only food I buy there. Nice sauce and a lot of white chicken with a good crust. I much prefer it to the fresh Boston Market pie.
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I second KFC. It's only sold here in CT in winter months.
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I can't believe that somehow KFC is in the same thread as Trader Joe's
Mr. Taster
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I love that about this site :0)
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If you want a 100% chicken pie, no vegetables at all, and you aren't a cook, do this: 1) Buy a rotisseried chicken at the supermarket and take all the meat off it. 2) Put meat in a baking dish. 3) Mix up a couple of jars or cans of chicken gravy with a can of Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup and enough water or milk to make the consistency of thin gravy. Pour this over the chicken and stir around. 4) Buy a Pillsbury pie crust (they come rolled up and all you do is let one go to room temperature then it will unroll easily). Lay it over the dish and sort of tuck the edges down tight against the edges of the dish. Prick a few holes in the top with a fork. 5) Bake at 350* for 45 minutes or so until the crust is golden brownish and you judge the internal parts of the pie to be hot. (Or, buy a can of any of the biscuits that come refrigerated and lay them on top of the chicken instead of pie crust.)
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Thanks, Sandra Lee!!
Mr. Taster
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That sounds like a $15 to $20.00 pie and will take at least an hour to cook. KFC is a few bucks are ready to eat. Gravy from a can? This is Chowhound, we make gravy from the drippings in the takeout chicken box.
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FWIW there's a one-page color KFC flyer in the local "Pennysaver" type giveaway (Newsday Marketeer)with a coupon for a KFC "Chunky Chicken Pot Pie" and a medium drink for $3.29. Good through 2/13/05. (I wonder what the regular price for this is?)
I might actually try one of these, based on the above recommendation. I haven't had anything from KFC in oh, about 30 years or so. Back when it was still called Kentucky Fried Chicken.
And I just checked the nutritional info at the KFC website for this pot pie. Pretty scary, but probably typical for a pot pie, and for a fast food entree.
770 calories, 40g fat, 15g saturated fat, 115mg cholesterol, 1680mg sodium
Link: http://www.kfc.com/kitchen/nutrition.htm
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Intrigued by Trader Joes Pot Pie, I decided to head down to the Acton, MA location (real close to my home) last night to pick one up..
Turns out they currently aren't stocking it -- their negotiating with their supplier or something -- but said that it would indeed be back. He couldn't give me a time though -_-. I was all fired up to try Trader Joes Pot Pie.
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The guy at my Trader Joes says they're "reformulating" the recipe so they're completely out of stock for now.
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I really, really like Boston Market's chicken pot pie, probably because it has a crust made with lard. It's full of chicken and good veggies, and the new box has a browning grid for microwave that actually works!
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Boston Market and Stouffer's are the best I've had so far.
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If you live in NYC, I shamefacedly admit that William Poll on the UES has really delicious chicken pot pies. I say shamefacedly because they also happen to be pretty expensive for such a humble dish. Still, lots of chicken and veggies, and you can tell it is freshly made with no preservatives and such (they come uncooked and frozen).
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Howdy-
Yes, I do live in Manhattan and work in mid-town. Where is this place of which you speak, she said eagerly. And, do you know about a lady at The Chelsea Market who sells nothing but frozen pot pies? Someone said they thought they saw her on Sandy Pinckney's show recently. Thanks for your help. Where is this place on the east side?
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At the Chelsea Market, I think the place you're referring to is the Green Table--they are a catering operation with a small restaurant and a storefront next door selling pot pies and some other prepared food. It's across from Amy's Bread, near the fountain thing.
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Thank you so much. Although it is raining and nasty and cold today, I think I'll take the C-train down there and buy me a couple. Thanks a lot.
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So, do you have an update for us on either of these two pot pie places? ^^
While I don't live in NYC, I have some friends that do, and I'm just intrigued to know of such places ^^
BTW -- you've been posting your messages twice -- this is most likely (nearly 100%) because you are hitting the submit button twice. Be patient -- it will post ^^
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Thank you so much. Although it is raining and nasty and cold today, I think I'll take the C-train down there and buy me a couple. Thanks a lot.
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The store that sells pot pies at the Chelsea Market is called the Cleaver Co. right next to Green Table. I liked their Shepherd's Pie best of all but unfortunately they stopped selling it. The others are ok (chicken, mushroom, veg), made with quality ingredients, etc, but not as good as the Shepherd's Pie that was made with (Nieman Ranch)lamb.
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Howdy-
Yes, I do live in Manhattan and work in mid-town. Where is this place of which you speak, she said eagerly. And, do you know about a lady at The Chelsea Market who sells nothing but frozen pot pies? Someone said they thought they saw her on Sandy Pinckney's show recently. Thanks for your help. Where is this place on the east side?
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William Poll
1051 Lex at 75th St
212-288-0501
It's a small storefront. Make a test run for a couple pies. Like I said, they're a little pricey because they cater to the tony UES crowd. A friend raved about them though, and when I tried the pie I was suitably won over.
Good luck to you. Definitely pot pie weather we're having, aint it?
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Many thanks for the address. They will be getting a visit from me this week, for sure. Yes, it definitely IS pot pie weather.
I ventured out yesterday (Sat) to go to Chelsea Market but got sidetracked because of the confusion with the Subway trains. Some were running express from Canal Street etc. Anyway, didn't make it. Found a Boston Market and bought one of their chicken pot pies, because some Chowhounders had said they liked them.
While it was better than Marie Callendar's, it wasn't that much better. Thick sauce, a couple of strands of chicken, virtually no vegetables. Crust was ok but not as good as Marie's. So I continue my pursuit of the best Chicken Pot Pie in NYC. I will try yours and the one at Chelsea Market. Certainly one of those will be 'the one'. Thanks again.
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Many thanks for the address. They will be getting a visit from me this week, for sure. Yes, it definitely IS pot pie weather.
I ventured out yesterday (Sat) to go to Chelsea Market but got sidetracked because of the confusion with the Subway trains. Some were running express from Canal Street etc. Anyway, didn't make it. Found a Boston Market and bought one of their chicken pot pies, because some Chowhounders had said they liked them.
While it was better than Marie Callendar's, it wasn't that much better. Thick sauce, a couple of strands of chicken, virtually no vegetables. Crust was ok but not as good as Marie's. So I continue my pursuit of the best Chicken Pot Pie in NYC. I will try yours and the one at Chelsea Market. Certainly one of those will be 'the one'. Thanks again.
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I almost tried KFC a few months ago, now I will. Never tried Boston Market, will try too. I always liked Mrs Budd, although I've been planning to try my own pot pie someday (have the recipe, but not the time lately).
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I gave up on frozen pot pies when they started making them with that ersatz crust that mis microwavable. It was just too awful. Now I make it with leftovers when I roast a chicken. There are only the two of us and the chickens are so big anymore that there are always leftovers to use up. I have some little individual pot pie tins and i use them occasionally or just do a single top crust in a casserole. The leftovers are good too.
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Anyone try Costco's huge lattice-crusted CP pies?
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They're not bad but they have too many mushrooms. I love pot pies but I don't feel mushrooms should be an ingredient.
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I love them (and mushrooms!) but don't buy them often because there is only two of us and I find myself finishing most of it by myself!! Usually I make my own and use a biscuit crust vs. pie crust to keep the calories/fat down.
My husband has a soft spot for the small, double crusted (gasp!) Banquette CP's. Hey 3/$1!!
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I had the best chicken pie down at MGM studios in Orlando and we make it at home a few times a year now. It's so easy and so delicious. Don't be put off by the cheese,it's so delicious. Richie
Link: http://www.disneytrips.com/dining/rec...
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Very easy! Thicken seasoned chicken broth;add sauteed vegies, top with a sheet of puff pastry and bake. Can also be frozen.
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I had a Marie Callendar pot pie and it had 2 small chunks of chicken and about 2 or 3 tablespoons of vegetables floating in a sea of sauce. Flavor and crust were decent, but the price was really high for such chintzy contents.
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I made my first pot pie after Thanksgiving using leftover turkey. I have never in my life made pie crust, we arent really pie people. Instead I improvised the recipe on the Bisquick box. It probably wouldnt take longer than cooking a frozen pie and with little work involved, really. I started with soup and thickened it and simply put it in a casserole dish and topped it with bisquick. The kids had seconds, so I guess it was good. If you like soup or stew with dumplings this is for you. I have stopped buying frozen ages ago but hope you try this someday.
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Costcos frozen "Aussie pies" were good I remember. They were individual sized, I haven't had one in years. Does Costco still carry them?
What makes them Aussie by the way? They taste like a good old fashion chicken pot pie....hmmm....the shape?
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In australia, meat pies are an extremely common snack. my understanding is that you'd find them the way you'd find burriots here.
Mr. Taster
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When you say "meat pies", are they like pot pies or more like turnovers? Always wondered (sounds like you eat them out of hand).
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40. Australian meat pie
Along with Vegemite, the meat pie is firmly entrenched into the hearts and (stomachs) of most Aussies. It originated in Britain, during the Victorian era when the 'Sunday roast' lined the table of every self-respecting, middle-class family. The leftover meat from the roast was topped with potato and baked into a pie. When the English migrated, so did their pie. Nowadays, in a slightly revised form (encased in pastry) you're most likely to encounter the meat pie being consumed along with a beer or three in front of the rugby/cricket
Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/tv_and_radi...
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Now I know, I have a "shepherds pie" in the oven as we speak. That's what it is! (I think)
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shepherds pie is topped with mashed potatoes, a pot pie is topped with pastry crust
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I know it's pretty easy, but it takes a lot of time to make your own pot pie and tho prob. much better than frozen, we all at times just want to take something out of the freezer and have an easy, no cook nite. I like Mrs. Budd's Chicken pie, and also a frozen brand I believe is called Overbrook--you can purchase it at Sam's club-large rectangular pie that costs about $6.00--more chicken and vegies than Marie's and I think a much better sauce. I haven't tried T.J.'s brand, but next time I go there (if they have one) I'll give that a try. Great comfort food at this time of year!
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Where are my Swanson fans??? I haven't had it in a while so maybe they aren't as good as I remember. But...they came in an individual aluminum pie pan kinda thing and I really liked them because they had crust all around. When they were done (oven, not microwave), you inverted them and removed the pie pan thing. Nice browned crust and lots of veggies (peas too) and chicken chunks.
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I remember they were like 33 cents each... but it was so processed that I don't think there were any solid items in the pie bigger than a pea (and that includes the "chicken" chunks as well....
Mr. Taster
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I used to love them too. Ahem, I am also a big fan of Banquet. Back in our leaner days the hubby and I used to eat alot of those boil-in-bag beef and turkey in gravy. I havent seen them around, now they are selling the family packs, on sale for 2/$5 sometimes. I still buy the Salisbury Steaks! I remember the pot pies taking a long time to cook, and I havent tried the microwavable ones. Mrs. Buds is pretty good. I do love a crust but the day I tried makine my own I took a shortcut using bisquick topping instead. I am a big fan of frozen food ala TJ's or BJ's, and I tend to take out because it really doesnt make sense for me to cook a whole lot right now.
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I was a Swanson fan and as a kid thought they were a treat. I loved all of their pot pies but they screwed up the crust by improving it so it could be "cooked" in a microwave. Now instead of that flaky crust it has something that seems dense and like cardboard. It is ruined.
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No, it's not frozen. Yes, it's some work. But, it IS worth it. I leave out the middle layer of fillo. And I sometimes just brown some pieces of boneless chicken and add the vegetables and some chicken stock all at once. When they have softened a bit, I make a roux and put everyting in. It works fine.
Link: http://www.athens.com/recipes/recipec...
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Since I don't like the veggies, I prefer Willowtree. Just white meat chicken, thick sauce and crust...love it over mashed potatoes.
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Frozen chicken pot pies fill the freezer section of my 'fridge. I recently tried a Claim Jumpers pie. Very disappointing. Coming out of the microwave it looked and smelled great. The crust was light and flaky. But they REALLY skimped on the filling.
If we could get Marie Calender's filling inside a Claim Jumpers crust, we would have the best frozen Chicken Pot Pie out there.
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Ah yes, in search of the perfect chicken pot pie. I've even gone comparatively expensive mail-order for this. Zilch-oh, as Rachael would never say. Swanson canned chicken a la king over tnicely darkened oast, tastes better than any of those. Prepare the side yourself.
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I liked Pepperidge Farm's until I saw the calorie count, and the fact that each pie is TWO SERVINGS. Yikes, one pie is like 1000 calories!
But if you go homemade, make your filling and top it with TJ's puff pastry. Easy and tasty, plus you control the ingredients.
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