Chicken Pie may be one of the most universally loved savory pies in our part of the country- southerners simply eat a lot of chicken and since we do, there tends to be a bit of leftovers whenever we roast or bake a chicken. A southern chicken pie seems to be the favorite way to use leftovers or even start from scratch with the intent of making comfort food, especially when Fall begins to cool the air!

I guess some folks call it Chicken Pot Pie, though I never have. Why? When I think of pot pies- they were those little frozen pies my sister and I ate when our momma wasn’t cooking that night. My grandmother made her chicken pies very plain with a thick, rich creamy broth, chunks of chicken and a chopped boiled egg- no peas and carrots – just topped with a buttery flaky crust. The vegetables she served were side dishes. Sometimes chicken pie was served with mixed greens or a fruit salad.  I do tend to add peas and even very small diced carrots- though those additions are more for color than robust flavor. The best chicken pies have a subtle blend of flavors. In the Fall, I do add a small amount of celery, sometimes a pinch of thyme and always fresh cracked pepper- even a pinch of sage tends to bring out the fall flavors we tend to prefer around the holidays.

Here’s how to make Camellia’s Chicken Pie–

You will need: Your favorite pie crust for a single crust. And-

• 1 1/2 cups of cooked chicken breast- chopped in medium to large chunks.
• Up to 1/2 stick of butter.
• 3-4 Tbs. of all purpose flour (see note at the end of recipe)
•   1/2 cup of small diced carrots
• 1/2 cup of early peas (use frozen and do not add until filling is done!)
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1/8 cup of finely diced onion
• 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
• Pinch of ground sage (if desired for fall flavor)
•   2 cups of chicken stock (homemade if possible)

Butter a 9×9 glass baking dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter, add onion, carrots and celery stirring to coat and soften a bit (not too much though, we don’t want mushy vegetables here!) Add thyme and sage if desired. (I don’t add sage in the spring and if the chicken is well flavored!) Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of flour over vegetables and butter coating all. Add 2 cups of chicken stock and simmer until filling thickens. Not too much though as filling will thicken as it bakes! Add salt and pepper to taste. Off heat, add chunks of chicken and frozen peas, stir gently to combine.

Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Cut the pastry round into a square piece that will fit baking dish. Cut dough scraps into small pieces and push into the chicken pie filling. This will also thicken the filling as it bakes. Top with square pastry, butter the dough lightly and cut slits as desired. If desired, sprinkle with cracked pepper.

Bake for 50-55 or until crust is browned and filling is bubbly. This chicken pie is 4-6 servings. *Tip: I’ve mentioned this cooking tip before- when making a roux or a brown gravy- I bake the raw flour in a shallow pan at 350 degrees until it turns golden brown; cool and store browned flour in an airtight container. This is such a time saver and gives that rich flavor only a roux can! *You can see the color difference in the broth from this one I made in Spring when I didn’t want the darker color filling and the one made this week!

Well, if you live in the south, I know you’re enjoying this cooler weather! Whew, it’s been so hot for so long, it’s nice isn’t it? And! I’ll admit in the heat, I didn’t even want to turn the oven on! Chicken Pie was what I wanted to bake as soon as we dipped below 75 degrees! At least in the mornings! Oh me… hope you bake some comfort food like a chicken pie and! That you’re having a wonderful Fall!

Love y’all, Camellia

*All photographs are obviously mine.