Mini Chicken Pot Pies
If you’re looking for a comforting, easy-to-make dish that feels like a warm hug in every bite, these Mini Chicken Pot Pies are exactly what you need. Warm up your evenings with easy Mini Chicken Pot Pies—perfectly flaky, creamy, and ready in minutes for cozy nights at home. This recipe combines tender chicken, rich creamy filling, and crispy golden crusts into individual servings that make comfort food both fun and fuss-free.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Convenient: These mini pies come together fast, making them perfect for weeknight dinners or last-minute guests.
- Comfort Food Classic: Creamy chicken and veggies in a buttery crust deliver that nostalgic homestyle flavor everyone adores.
- Perfect Portions: Individual pies mean no fighting over slices, plus they’re great for kids and adults alike.
- Customizable: Easily swap ingredients or add your favorite veggies to suit your tastes or dietary needs.
- Freezable and Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep ahead and have dinner ready on busy days with convenient storage options.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple yet essential, creating the perfect balance of creamy, savory, and flaky textures. Each ingredient brings something special to the table to ensure your mini chicken pot pies are bursting with flavor and comfort.
- Cooked Chicken: Shredded or diced, this adds hearty protein and a tender bite.
- Frozen Mixed Vegetables: Peas, carrots, and corn offer a sweet and colorful crunch.
- Butter: Key for making the roux and adding richness to the filling and crust edges.
- All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the creamy chicken sauce to the ideal consistency.
- Chicken Broth: The base liquid that infuses more savory depth.
- Milk or Cream: Adds creaminess and helps create a velvety sauce.
- Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings to highlight every flavor.
- Pie Crusts or Puff Pastry: Ready-made crusts save time and deliver that flaky golden finish.
- Egg Wash: Brushed on top for a beautiful shiny, golden crust.
Variations for Mini Chicken Pot Pies
Feel free to play around with this recipe and make it uniquely yours. It’s incredibly easy to adapt based on what you have on hand or your dietary preferences, so don’t hesitate to mix and match flavors and veggies.
- Swap Proteins: Use turkey, beef, or even shredded tofu for a different twist on the filling.
- Vegetarian Version: Replace chicken with mushrooms, lentils, or chickpeas for a hearty meatless option.
- Different Veggies: Try adding potatoes, green beans, or sweet potatoes for new textures and tastes.
- Gluten-Free Crust: Use gluten-free pie crusts or make your own to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
- Spiced Up: Add fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or a pinch of paprika to boost flavor complexity.
How to Make Mini Chicken Pot Pies
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
Start by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour to form a roux, cooking for a minute or two without browning. Slowly whisk in chicken broth and milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens into a creamy sauce. Add your cooked chicken and frozen veggies, stirring to combine. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat.
Step 2: Preheat and Prepare Crusts
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While the filling cools slightly, prepare your mini pie crusts—you can use muffin tins lined with dough or individual pie pans. Roll out pie crust or puff pastry if needed and cut into circles large enough to fill your tins with some overhang.
Step 3: Assemble the Mini Chicken Pot Pies
Spoon the chicken filling into each prepared crust, filling them to about three-quarters full. Cover each with another piece of crust or pastry circle. Pinch and crimp the edges to seal well, then cut small slits in the top to allow steam to escape.
Step 4: Apply Egg Wash and Bake
Brush the tops with beaten egg to get that beautiful golden color. Place the mini pies in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is puffed and deeply golden brown.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Remove the pies from the oven and allow them to cool for at least 5 minutes to set before serving. This helps the creamy filling thicken perfectly inside.
Pro Tips for Making Mini Chicken Pot Pies
- Use Leftover Chicken: This recipe is perfect for using rotisserie chicken or leftovers to save time and add incredible flavor.
- Don’t Overfill: Leaving space at the top avoids messy spills and helps crust seal better.
- Chill the Filling: Allowing the filling to cool slightly makes it easier to handle and helps prevent softening the crust prematurely.
- Create Steam Vents: Small slits on the pie tops keep the pastry from becoming soggy and help it bake evenly.
- Use a Muffin Tin: For perfect uniform shapes and no fuss during baking, muffin tins make the best vessels for mini pies.
How to Serve Mini Chicken Pot Pies
Garnishes
Fresh parsley or thyme sprinkled on top adds a pop of color and brightness that balances the rich filling wonderfully.
Side Dishes
Pair with crisp green salads, steamed vegetables, or a tangy coleslaw for a complete, well-rounded meal that complements the savory pot pies.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these mini pies on wooden boards or rustic plates with small ramekins of gravy or dipping sauces for a fun dinner party presentation or family-style meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover mini chicken pot pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheating gently helps maintain flaky crusts and creamy filling.
Freezing
Freeze fully assembled but unbaked pies on a baking sheet first, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding extra baking time as needed.
Reheating
Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes until warmed through and crisp. Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy crusts.
FAQs
Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen?
Yes, fresh veggies like diced carrots, peas, and corn work wonderfully; just be sure to cook them slightly before adding to the filling to ensure tenderness.
What type of pie crust works best for Mini Chicken Pot Pies?
Store-bought or homemade pie crust and puff pastry both work well, but puff pastry offers an extra flaky and buttery texture.
Is it possible to make Mini Chicken Pot Pies dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute butter with a dairy-free alternative and use coconut or almond milk along with a dairy-free broth for a creamy filling.
Can I prepare the filling a day in advance?
Yes, making the filling ahead saves time and can actually improve flavor as the ingredients meld overnight.
How do I prevent the crust from becoming soggy?
Chilling the filling before assembling and cutting steam vents on top of the pies are key to keeping the crust crisp and flaky.
Final Thoughts
Mini Chicken Pot Pies perfectly combine convenience, comfort, and versatility, making them a favorite go-to for cozy nights at home. Whether you’re cooking for your family or entertaining friends, these little pies bring big smiles with every flaky, creamy bite. Give this recipe a try—you might just find your new favorite comfort food tradition!
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PrintMini Chicken Pot Pies
Mini Chicken Pot Pies are comforting, individual-sized pies filled with tender chicken, creamy vegetables, and a rich sauce, all encased in a flaky golden crust. Quick and convenient to make, these pies are perfect for cozy dinners, are customizable to suit various tastes and diets, and freeze well for make-ahead meals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 mini pot pies 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free crust)
Ingredients
Filling Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk or cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Crust and Finishing
- Pie crusts or puff pastry, enough to line 6-8 mini pie tins
- 1 beaten egg (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour to make a roux, cooking for 1-2 minutes without browning. Slowly whisk in chicken broth and milk, stirring constantly until thickened into a creamy sauce. Add cooked chicken and frozen vegetables, seasoning with salt and pepper, then remove from heat.
- Preheat and Prepare Crusts: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). While filling cools slightly, line muffin tins or mini pie pans with pie crust or puff pastry circles, ensuring some overhang to seal the pies.
- Assemble the Mini Pies: Spoon the filling into each crust, filling about three-quarters full. Top with another crust circle, pinch and crimp edges to seal, and cut small slits on top for steam vents.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: Brush tops with beaten egg to achieve a golden shiny crust. Bake for 20-25 minutes until crust is puffed and deeply golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Let pies cool for at least 5 minutes before serving to allow filling to thicken and set.
Notes
- Use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time and boost flavor.
- Do not overfill pies to avoid messy spills.
- Allow filling to cool before assembling to keep crust from getting soggy.
- Cut steam vents in crust tops to prevent sogginess and promote even baking.
- Muffin tins are ideal for uniform mini pie shapes and easy handling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini pot pie
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: mini chicken pot pies, comfort food, easy dinner, individual pot pies, flaky crust, creamy chicken filling, make ahead, freezer friendly
