Delightful Chick Pot Pie Recipes

Steps:

• For the chicken: Start by putting the chicken in a pot and covering it with water. Bring the water to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 45 minutes, and then remove the chicken from the pot. Set the chicken aside to cool briefly.
• Shred the chicken with 2 forks, reserving the bones. For the stock, return the bones to the pot and boil for 20 minutes. Remove the bones from the pot and discard.
• For the pot pie: When you're ready to use the Thyme Pastry, remove from the freezer and allow it to sit on the counter to thaw slightly, about 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Begin by finely dicing the vegetables. Slice the celery stalks into narrow strips, then slice in the other direction to create a fine dice. Repeat this process with the carrots, and the onion.
• Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots and celery. Saute until the vegetables start to turn translucent, a couple of minutes.
• Add 2 cups of the shredded chicken and stir to combine. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the vegetables and chicken, and stir to combine. Cook for a couple of minutes, stirring gently.
• Pour in the chicken broth, stirring constantly. Stir in the bouillon cube and wine if using. The flour will combine with the chicken to create a delicious gravy. Next, add the peas.
• Pour in the cream and stir. Allow the mixture to cook over low heat, thickening gradually, about 4 minutes. Season with the thyme, salt and pepper, and remove from the heat. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Be sure it's adequately salted!
• Pour the chicken mixture into a deep pie pan or small casserole dish.
• Roll out the pastry so that it's 1 inch larger than the pan. Place the crust on top of the chicken mixture and cut small slits in the top. Press the crust gently into the sides of the dish to seal. I don't worry about making a perfect edge on my chicken pot pie because a) it looks more rustic and b) I'm lazy, hungry and I want to eat.
• Bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly, about 30 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
• To freeze: Allow the filling to cool completely then top with the crust. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in the freezer.
• To cook from frozen: Remove the pot pie from the freezer, brush with egg wash (1 egg mixed with 2 tablespoons water or cream) and place directly in a 375-degree F oven and bake until lightly browned and bubbly, 30 to 45 minutes.
• For the thyme pastry: Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Using pastry cutter, gradually work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles tiny pebbles. This step should take 3 or 4 minutes.
• Lightly beat the egg with a fork, and then add it to the mixture. Next, add in the cold water and vinegar. Stir the mixture together until it's just combined, and then remove half the dough from the bowl. (Dividing the dough in half results in two pretty generous pie crusts. If you desire a thinner crust, you may divide the dough into three crusts.)
• Place in a large plastic bag (do not seal) and slightly flatten with a rolling pin. This makes it much easier to roll out the crust later. After flattening, seal the bag tightly.
• Repeat with the other half of the dough and place the plastic bags in the freezer. I like to make several batches of pie crust at a time so I always have a crust ready to go.
• For recipes other than this pot pie, remove from the bag and place on a lightly floured surface. With a rolling pin, begin rolling the dough from the center, outward. Be gentle and patient; it'll take a little time to get the dough completely rolled out.
• If you think the bottom is really sticking to the surface below, use a nice, sharp spatula to loosen it and sprinkle some extra flour on top. Then flip it over to finish rolling. Remember to roll from the center in single, outward strokes; no back-and-forth rolling.
• Again with a spatula, loosen and lift the pie crust and carefully lay it over a pie pan. Using your hand, lightly form the crust so that it fits inside the pan and overlaps the edges.
• Because it's quick and easy, I just tuck the excess dough under itself above the rim. Then you can apply whatever decorative effects that you like to the edge. Or you can leave it plain if you'd like! Just tell yourself it's more rustic that way!
• Fill the pie crust with filling and bake according to the pie recipe's directions. Or, for a pre-baked crust, fill with pie weights (or pinto beans placed on aluminum foil) and bake at 400 degrees F until golden, about 10 minutes.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a large baking sheet with foil. Lightly grease six 12-ounce oven-safe ramekins and place on the baking sheet for easy cleanup.
• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a pot over medium-low heat. Add leeks, onion, 1/3 of the chopped celery, and garlic; saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add broth, potatoes, and bay leaves. Season with pepper, salt, thyme, sage, and rosemary; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for at least 25 minutes.
• Remove bay leaves. Use an immersion blender to emulsify the liquid.
• Slowly stir in heavy cream. Add remaining 3 tablespoons butter with carrots, peas, and remaining celery. Stir in chicken. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.
• Mix egg and water together and set aside for egg wash.
• Roll puff pastry out slightly. Flip one of the prepared ramekins upside-down on the pastry; cut out circles 1/2 inch larger than the ramekin.
• Fill each ramekin 3/4 full with the chicken mixture; do not fill to the top or it will make a mess in your oven. Place cut rounds of puff pastry over the tops and press around the edges to seal. Brush egg wash over each. Be sure to put a few knife slits on top of each pie to allow to vent.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the pastry is a golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let cool at room temperature for 10 to 12 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400.
• Cut the corn off the cobb, set aside.
• Saute onions, celery, carrots, and potatoes in margarine for about 10 minutes.
• Add flour to mix, stirring well cooking about 1 minute stirring constantly.
• Combine the broth and the half/half.
• Stir in the vegetable mix slowly.
• Bring heat to medium stirring constantly until very thick and bubbly.
• Add in corn, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chicken, stir well.
• In a 9 inch pie pan, lay down 1 crust, fill with mixture and then cover with the other crust. Spread melted margarine over the top crust.
• Cut several slits in the top to allow the steam inside to escape.
• Bake 35-45 minutes or until a nice golden brown.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Melt butter in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, salt, and rosemary and cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
• Stir in chicken broth and cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and cook, stirring often, until thick and creamy and vegetables have started to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in chicken, peas, and parsley until well combined. Season with salt and pepper and remove from the heat.
• Place one crust in the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate. Add filling and place second crust on top. Press crusts together to seal around the edges and use fingers to crimp the dough. Cut small slits in the top and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Tent the edges with foil while baking if they become too brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• 2. Place the chicken in a shallow baking pan to fit. Pour the broth on top, season with salt and pepper and bake for 25 minutes or until cooked through, basting once or twice. Remove from oven and let cool to room temperature. Cut chicken into thirds, diagonally; set aside.
• 3. Using a vegetable peeler, cut 4 strips vertically along the cucumber. Halve the cucumber lengthwise and then cut into 1/4-inch slices; reserve.
• 4. For the dressing, whisk the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Tear the lettuce leaves into medium-sized pieces and place atop the dressing. Add the tomatoes, olives, reserved cucumber and chicken. Gently fold together from underneath, coating with dressing.
• 5. Add the cheese and parsley; toss carefully.
• 6. Adjust seasonings and serve in a very large, shallow bowl or on a large, decorative platter.