Air-Fried Chicken Pot Pie: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

how to cook a chicken pot pie in air fryer

Chicken pot pie is a classic American dish that has been a staple on dinner tables for generations. It is a hearty, comforting meal that can be made even more delicious and quicker by using an air fryer. Air fryers are a great alternative to ovens as they use less electricity, heat up faster, and cook food more efficiently. This makes them perfect for weeknight dinners, especially when you're short on time and energy. With an air fryer, you can achieve a perfectly crispy crust and a creamy, hot filling in your chicken pot pie in a fraction of the time it would take in a conventional oven.

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Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your chicken pot pie cooks evenly and efficiently. Here is a step-by-step guide to preheating your air fryer for the perfect chicken pot pie:

First, ensure your air fryer is clean and free of any residue from previous use. This is important for both food safety and achieving the best cooking results. Set the temperature to 350°F for preheating. This is a common preheating temperature for air fryers and is suitable for cooking chicken pot pies.

Next, allow the air fryer to preheat for 3 to 5 minutes. The preheating time can vary slightly depending on the model of your air fryer and the size of the pot pie you are cooking. For larger pies, you may need to preheat for slightly longer. It is important to refer to your air fryer's instructions for specific guidelines.

During preheating, the air fryer's heating element will reach the set temperature, and the appliance will circulate hot air to create an even cooking environment. This step is crucial as it ensures that your chicken pot pie will cook thoroughly and efficiently once placed inside. An air fryer that has been properly preheated will also help achieve the desired crispness and flakiness of the pot pie crust.

Once the preheating cycle is complete, your air fryer is ready for cooking your chicken pot pie. Carefully place the frozen pot pie into the air fryer basket, ensuring it fits in a single layer. This placement ensures that the hot air can circulate evenly around the pot pie, cooking it uniformly.

Now that your air fryer is preheated and the pot pie is properly positioned, you can proceed with the cooking instructions outlined in other sections of this guide. Remember to adjust the temperature and timing according to the specific recipe you are following. Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and flaky chicken pot pie!

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Prepare the filling

To prepare the filling, you can use cooked chicken, such as leftover rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken breast. You can also use cooked turkey meat, cooked ground beef or chuck meat, or an equal amount of vegetables. For vegetables, you can use frozen mixed vegetables, such as corn, peas, and carrots, or your favourite combination. You can also use leftover vegetables.

Next, you'll need to add soup to your filling. You can use one small 10.5-ounce can of cream of chicken soup, or you can substitute it with a can of cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup. If you don't have any of these, you can make your own by heating up one cup of chicken broth in a saucepan and whisking in about two tablespoons of flour until it's combined and creamy.

Add herbs and seasonings to boost the flavour of your filling. You can use chopped fresh parsley and thyme leaves, as well as garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and pepper. Mix all your filling ingredients together in a medium bowl, and you're ready to assemble your pot pie!

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Assemble the pie

To assemble the pie, you will need to transfer the pot pie filling to a heat-proof dish that fits in your air fryer basket. A foil container is a good option, or you could use ramekins and make individual pies. If you are using frozen vegetables, you can save time by not defrosting them first. You can also use leftover rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken breast.

Top the filling with puff pastry. If you are using store-bought pastry, thaw it first and then cut off any excess. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal the pie. You can also use a fork to create vents in the middle of the pastry. An egg wash adds a sheen to the pie and helps the crust bake beautifully.

If you want to make your own pastry, this easy homemade pie dough recipe is worth the extra time. Pre-bake the bottom crust until it is fully baked (around 5-7 minutes). Then, add the second crust on top of the filling.

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Air fry the pie

Air-frying a chicken pot pie is a fast and convenient way to cook a classic family dinner. It's a great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken and vegetables, and you can even use store-bought pie crust to save time.

To air fry your chicken pot pie, start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F for 3-5 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, transfer your pot pie filling to a heat-proof dish that will fit in the air fryer basket. A foil container works well, or you can use ramekins to make individual pies.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place your frozen pot pie(s) in the basket, ensuring they fit in a single layer. If you're making individual pies, top the filling in each ramekin with thawed puff pastry or pie crust. Cut off any excess pastry, then crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Cut two vents into the middle of the pastry with a sharp knife, then brush with an egg wash to add a sheen and help the pastry bake beautifully.

Now you're ready to air fry! For mini pies, cook at 350°F for 16-18 minutes or until golden brown. For larger pies, air fry at 350°F for 25 minutes or until heated through and golden brown on top. If the crust is browning too quickly, cover it with foil.

To check if your pot pie is done, use an instant-read thermometer to verify that it has reached an internal temperature of 165°F. If not, return it to the air fryer and cook for a few more minutes.

Once your pot pie is cooked, let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Remember, it will be very hot, so be careful not to burn your mouth on the hot filling!

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Rest and serve

Once your chicken pot pie is cooked, it's important to let it rest. This will ensure that the filling cools down enough so that you don't burn your mouth when you take your first bite. Leave the pie to sit for at least five minutes before serving. You can leave it in the air fryer with the lid closed during this time, so the middle continues to warm.

If you've cooked your chicken pot pie in a dish, be careful when removing it from the air fryer. Use oven gloves to protect your hands and take it out with a spatula. If you've cooked your pie straight in the air fryer basket, use a spatula to carefully transfer it to a serving dish.

Chicken pot pie can be a complete meal, but you might want to serve it with a side dish. A green salad or a fruit salad are good options, or you could serve it with a simple vegetable like asparagus or green beans.

If you have leftovers, you can keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

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