Ella Walter
Chicken pot pie is a comfort food that can be made at home and frozen for later, or bought pre-made and frozen. There are a few ways to cook a frozen chicken pot pie, including in the oven, air fryer, or microwave. The oven method is the most popular, with some recipes recommending baking the pie for 30 minutes with foil on top, then removing the foil and baking for another 30 minutes or until golden brown. Other recipes suggest baking at 400°F for 45-60 minutes. The air fryer method involves cooking the pie at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, while the microwave method takes just 5 minutes, but the crust may lose its crispness. Some recipes recommend thawing the pie before cooking, which can be done by moving it from the freezer to the fridge and letting it thaw for a full day in advance. However, cooking the pie directly from frozen is also an option and can save time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking equipment | Oven, air fryer, or microwave |
| Baking time | 45-60 minutes |
| Baking temperature | 400°F |
| Air fryer temperature | 350°F |
| Air fryer baking time | 25-30 minutes |
| Oven temperature with thawed pie | 325°F |
| Baking time with thawed pie | 1 hour |
| Thawing time | 1-2 days |
| Filling ingredients | Chicken, peas, salt, pepper, heavy cream, vegetables, potatoes, gravy |
| Crust ingredients | Store-bought, refrigerated, or homemade dough |
| Crust tips | Brush with egg wash before baking, avoid soggy crusts by ensuring even heat distribution |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking from frozen or defrosting first
You can cook a frozen chicken pot pie directly from frozen, or you can defrost it first. There are pros and cons to both methods.
Cooking from Frozen
Cooking a frozen chicken pot pie takes around 45-60 minutes in the oven at 400°F. You can also cook it in an air fryer for 25-30 minutes at 350°F. Cooking from frozen is convenient and the crust can still turn out crispy and golden, but it may take longer and the filling may not be heated evenly.
Defrosting First
Defrosting a chicken pot pie can take a full day or two in the refrigerator. You can then follow the normal cooking instructions, which will take less time than cooking from frozen. Defrosting first can result in a more evenly cooked filling and a crispier crust, but it requires more planning and preparation time.
Tips for Freezing Chicken Pot Pies
If you are making your own chicken pot pie and plan to freeze it, it is recommended to freeze the filling separately from the crust. This will help ensure that the crust stays on top of the filling when baked. It is also important to let the filling cool completely before freezing. You can freeze the filling with or without cream, but if you use cream, choose a variety with more than 18% fat so that it doesn't separate.
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Oven temperature and timings
The oven temperature and timings for cooking a frozen chicken pot pie vary depending on the method chosen. Some people prefer to thaw the pie first, which can be done by moving it from the freezer to the fridge and letting it thaw slowly for a full day in advance. This can reduce the baking time slightly, as a thawed chicken pot pie may only take 30-40 minutes to bake.
If baking from frozen, preheat the oven to 400˚F (200˚C) and bake for 30 minutes with the foil on top. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 30 minutes or until golden brown. The total baking time for a frozen pie is typically between 45 minutes to one hour.
Alternatively, some people suggest starting at a lower temperature of 300-325˚F and increasing it towards the end to get the top nice and brown, or maintaining a temperature of 350˚F throughout the cooking process. This can be done by covering the pie for the first half and then uncovering it for the second half, for a total cook time of around one hour.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the oven and the desired doneness of the pie. It is recommended to periodically check the pie to ensure it doesn't overcook and achieve the desired golden brown colour.
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Air fryer instructions
First, preheat your air fryer to 350ºF for 3 minutes. You can also preheat to 360 degrees F for 5 minutes, or 380°F/190°C with no preheat. Place the frozen chicken pot pie in the air fryer basket, ensuring it fits in a single layer. If your pie has a bottom crust, remove it from its foil container and place it upside down in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to crisp the bottom.
Next, air fry the pot pie for 15-25 minutes, or until it is heated through and golden brown on top. The cooking time will depend on the size of the pot pie. For a 10 oz. pot pie, cook for 21 minutes, then increase the temperature to 400 degrees F for 2 minutes to brown the top. For a Banquet frozen pot pie, decrease the initial time to 15 minutes. If the crust is browning too quickly, cover it with foil.
After removing the pot pie from the air fryer, let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. The pot pie will be very hot, so be careful not to burn your mouth on the filling. Use an instant-read thermometer to verify that the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F.
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Microwave instructions
To cook a frozen chicken pot pie in the microwave, first remove the pie from its packaging and place it on a microwave-safe crisper pan. These specialised trays help prevent soggy bottoms and can improve the overall texture of your crust.
Next, refer to the instructions on the packaging. Most frozen food packs will specify the wattage and time required to cook the pie in the microwave. For example, single-serve pot pies typically take 4-6 minutes in the microwave, while family-size pies can take 6-8 minutes. It is important to note that the age and wattage of your microwave will impact the cooking time. Older microwaves tend to produce less power, which may result in longer cooking times.
During the cooking process, it is recommended to use the high setting on your microwave. Start with the minimum cook time specified on the packaging, and then check the crust for doneness. If it requires more time, add in 30-second increments until the crust is fully cooked.
Once the pie is cooked, use pot holders to remove the plate from the microwave. It is important to handle the dish with care as it will be hot.
While microwaving a frozen chicken pot pie is convenient, it is worth noting that combining microwave and oven cooking methods can yield better results. You can use the microwave to jumpstart the cooking process by thawing out the pie, and then finish it in the oven for a perfect golden crust. This two-step approach can significantly reduce your overall cooking time.
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How to avoid a soggy crust
To avoid a soggy crust, you can try a few different methods. Firstly, it is recommended to use a glass or metal pie dish, as pies cooked at high temperatures can bake unevenly in ceramic dishes.
One method is to pre-bake or blind bake the bottom crust before adding the filling and top crust. This ensures the bottom crust is crispy before adding the rest of the pie. You can also brush the bottom crust with an egg wash before filling and baking on the lowest rack of the oven at a high temperature. This will help seal the crust and prevent it from becoming soggy.
Another technique is to add the filling ingredients, such as chicken and vegetables, first, and then pour the gravy on top. By doing this, the gravy seeps down slowly as the pie bakes, allowing the bottom crust to crisp up.
If you are baking the pie from frozen, it is best to bake it directly from the freezer without thawing. This helps ensure the crust remains flaky and not soggy.
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Frequently asked questions
The cooking time depends on the method you use to cook it. In the oven, it should take between 30 and 60 minutes at 400°F. In an air fryer, it should take 25-30 minutes at 350°F. In the microwave, it will only take 5 minutes if you heat the filling and crust separately.
No, you can cook a frozen chicken pot pie directly from frozen. However, thawing it in the refrigerator beforehand can reduce the baking time and ensure more even cooking.
To get a crispy crust, ensure the pot pie is placed in the centre of the oven or air fryer to allow for even heat distribution. You can also brush the top crust with an egg wash before baking for added flavour and a glossy finish.
