Banquet Vs Marie Callender's Frozen Chicken Pot Pie: Which Is Better?

We took to the frozen food aisle and ranked five store-bought chicken pot pies. Two of the options we tested — Marie Callender's and Banquet — were close competitors, but Banquet came out on top, taking the second-place ranking in our taste test while Marie Callender's version took the third-place spot (Costco's Kirkland chicken pot pie was the best in first place). The main reason Banquet's version came out above Marie Callender's was the price. You'll likely be able to snag it for $1 — of course, pricing may vary by location and is subject to change.

The vegetables, gravy, and crust of the Banquet version were all pretty good, and it was nice to see that cubed potatoes were in the mix. While the chicken wasn't exactly our favorite (our tester noticed that it tasted a bit like canned chicken), it's tough to beat a meal that only sets you back $1. Whether you enjoy your chicken pot pies straight-up or prefer your freezer aisle meals served over a baked potato (trust us, it's filling and fantastic), you might want to toss the Banquet version into your grocery cart the next time you're browsing the frozen food section. But don't just take our word for it, let's take a look at what people are saying about Banquet pot pies on social media.

We're not the only ones loving Banquet chicken pot pies. Like us, budget-conscious shoppers on Reddit are kind of obsessed with the fact that these little delights are only $1 each. While some commenters mentioned that they wish these pies were more packed with veggies, another suggested adding some cooked frozen veggies — you can snag a bag of these for around the same price as a Banquet chicken pot pie, and you'll get quite a few servings out of a bag, so this is a smart way to bulk up your meal.

While you can certainly get a delicious result from following the heating directions on the back of the box, one Reddit commenter recommended microwaving your pot pie for an additional minute to get a flakier crust. If you cook your pot pie in the oven and don't want a super-browned result, you can also use a strip of aluminum foil to protect the crust (don't try this in the microwave, of course). No matter how you whip up your Banquet chicken pot pie, it's certainly well worth your while to stock them in your freezer for times when you're in need of a simple, zero-prep-required dinner that'll only set you back a dollar.