Quickly Cook Store-Bought Chicken Pot Pie To Perfection

how long to cook store bought chicken pot pie

Chicken pot pie is a delicious, comforting meal that can be easily made at home. For those who want a quicker option, store-bought chicken pot pies are available and can be cooked in the oven or microwave. The cooking time for a store-bought chicken pot pie varies depending on its size and the method used. Typically, it takes around 30 minutes to bake a store-bought chicken pot pie in the oven at 400°F. However, some recommend baking at a higher temperature of 425°F for 20 minutes, and then reducing the oven temperature to 350°F for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. It's important to keep an eye on the pie and adjust the cooking time as needed, ensuring the filling is bubbling and the crust is golden brown.

Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Store-Bought Chicken Pot Pie:

Characteristics Values
Oven Temperature 350°F - 425°F (180°C - 220°C)
Baking Time 20 - 50 minutes
Preparation Thaw overnight in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before baking. Cover crust edges with foil to prevent burning.
Doneness Filling is bubbling and crust is golden brown

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Oven temperature: 425°F for 20 mins, then 350°F for 15-20 mins

To cook a store-bought chicken pot pie, it is recommended that you preheat your oven to a temperature of 425°F. Place the pie on a cookie sheet or an ungreased 9-inch glass pie plate to avoid making a mess in your oven. Then, bake the pie for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, turn the oven temperature down to 350°F and bake the pie for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. The pie is done when the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. If the crust starts to brown too much, you can tent a piece of foil over the pie to prevent it from burning.

It is important to note that the initial high heat helps to create a flaky and textured crust, but this temperature is not necessary for the entire cooking process. You can also try bringing the pie closer to room temperature before baking, as this can help it cook more evenly.

Additionally, you may want to cover the edges of the pie with foil and place it in the lower part of the oven to avoid burning. Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your pie, so it is always a good idea to keep an eye on it and adjust the timing as needed.

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Microwave first, then oven

Cooking store-bought chicken pot pie by first microwaving and then finishing in the oven is a great way to save time and ensure even cooking. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Defrost in the Microwave:

First, remove the store-bought chicken pot pie from its packaging and place it in a microwave-safe dish if necessary. Set your microwave to a high power setting and heat the pie for about 4 to 5 minutes. This duration may vary depending on the wattage of your microwave; older microwaves with lower wattage may require a longer cooking time. Refer to the pie's packaging for specific instructions regarding microwave wattage and cooking time.

Finish in the Oven:

After microwaving, transfer your partially cooked chicken pot pie to a preheated oven. Set the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for about 30 to 35 minutes. This step ensures that the pie is cooked through, achieving a golden crust while avoiding a soggy bottom.

Checking for Doneness:

To ensure your chicken pot pie is cooked properly, there are a few signs to look for. Firstly, you should see steam escaping from the vents in the crust. Secondly, insert a knife into the centre of the pie; if the pie is ready, the knife should feel hot when removed. Additionally, the filling should be bubbling around the edges, and if you carefully pierce the centre, it should be steaming hot and flow easily.

Tips for Success:

For an even cook, it is recommended to use a full-size oven, as countertop toaster ovens or air fryer ovens may have heating elements that are too close to the food. Ensure the oven rack is positioned in the middle or upper middle to avoid burning the top crust or overcooking the bottom. Additionally, consider covering the edges of the crust with foil to prevent over-browning.

Food Safety:

It is important to ensure that your chicken pot pie reaches a safe internal temperature before consuming it. The recommended temperature varies, with some sources suggesting above 150 degrees Fahrenheit, while others recommend 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a thermometer to check the temperature, especially if you are unsure about the wattage of your microwave or the accuracy of your oven's temperature.

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Tenting with foil

Cooking a store-bought chicken pot pie is a great way to enjoy a delicious, comforting meal with minimal effort. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect pie, with a focus on the tenting with foil technique:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Pot Pie

Start by preparing your chicken pot pie according to the package instructions or a recipe of your choice. This typically involves making the filling by cooking vegetables and chicken, seasoning them, and placing them into a pie dish. Then, you would add a pie crust, sealing the edges and cutting slits in the top to allow steam to escape.

Step 2: Tenting with Foil

This technique is used to prevent the crust from browning too quickly or getting burnt while the rest of the pie cooks through. Cut a piece of aluminum foil large enough to loosely cover the pie. You can also use a strip of foil to cover just the edges, which tend to brown faster than the center. Place the foil tent over the pie before placing it in the oven.

Step 3: Baking the Pie

Preheat your oven to the recommended temperature, which is typically around 400°F. Place the foil-covered pie in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes. The foil will protect the crust during this initial baking period.

Step 4: Remove Foil and Continue Baking

After the first 30 minutes, carefully remove the foil tent to expose the crust. Return the pie to the oven and continue baking for another 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of your pie. This will allow the crust to turn golden brown and the filling to cook through.

Step 5: Final Steps

Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the pie reaches 165°F, indicating that it is safely cooked. Then, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. This cooling period helps the filling set and prevents burns from the hot filling.

By using the tenting with foil technique, you can ensure that your store-bought chicken pot pie cooks evenly, resulting in a golden, flaky crust and a delicious, well-cooked filling. Enjoy your homemade comfort food!

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Thawing and warming up

If your pie is frozen, it is best to thaw it in the fridge overnight. This is a safer method than leaving it out at room temperature, which can cause the pastry to become sticky and hard to work with. Once thawed, you can preheat your oven to anywhere between 350°F and 425°F, depending on the instructions. Some recipes suggest that you preheat the oven to a higher temperature initially, around 425°F, and then reduce the heat to 350°F after 20 minutes. This helps to ensure a flaky crust with a nice texture.

Before placing your pie in the oven, it is a good idea to let it sit outside the fridge for around 30 minutes to an hour to ensure it is nearer to room temperature. This can help prevent shattering dishes. You can also brush the pastry with an egg wash at this point. Additionally, placing your pie on a cookie sheet will help keep your oven clean. Covering the crust edges with foil is also recommended, as these can burn more easily.

The cooking time for your pie will vary depending on its size and the temperature of your oven, but it usually takes around 30 minutes in a 400°F oven or 35 to 60 minutes in a 350°F to 425°F oven. Your pie is ready when the filling is bubbling and the crust is golden brown. It is recommended that you check on your pie after around 40 minutes, and then every 10 minutes or so until it is done.

Some people also suggest using a microwave to warm up your pie initially, and then transferring it to the oven to finish cooking. This can help ensure that the pie is warmed through evenly.

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Filling and assembling

To make the filling, start by sautéing chicken pieces in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Coat the cooked chicken pieces with flour, salt, and pepper. In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic with butter until translucent with some browning. Add the coated chicken back to the skillet for a minute or two, just until the flour coating is no longer white. Stir in heavy whipping cream and frozen vegetables. Simmer on medium heat to soften the vegetables and thicken the sauce. Finally, remove from the heat and stir in some fresh parsley for added flavour.

Now it's time to assemble the pie. Pour the filling into a pie dish. If using a double crust, roll out the second pie crust and place it over the filling. Seal and crimp the edges of the crusts together. You can use store-bought puff pastry or biscuits instead of a traditional pie crust for a unique twist. If you prefer a single-crust pie, simply skip the bottom crust and spoon the filling directly into an ungreased pie dish.

Before baking, use a sharp knife to make a small slit in the top crust to allow steam to escape. For a golden, crispy top crust, brush a thin layer of egg wash (made by whisking an egg with milk) over the crust. Alternatively, you can rub some whipping cream on the crust for the same effect. Your chicken pot pie is now ready to be baked!

Frequently asked questions

It is recommended that you bake a store-bought chicken pot pie for 20 to 25 minutes in an oven preheated to 425°F (220°C).

You should bake a store-bought chicken pot pie at 425°F (220°C).

To get a crispy, flaky crust, preheat your oven to a high temperature of 425°F (220°C) and bake the pie for 20 minutes. Then, turn the oven down to 350°F (180°C) and bake until the crust is golden brown, which should take another 15 to 20 minutes.

Your store-bought chicken pot pie is done when the filling is bubbling over the crust and the crust is turning golden brown. This should take around 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of your pie.

Yes, you can microwave a store-bought chicken pot pie, but be sure to remove it from the metal pan first. Microwaving can be a good option to speed up the cooking process, as you can microwave the pie for a few minutes and then finish it in the oven.

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