Cody Casey
When making chicken pot pie, it is important to pre-cook the potatoes before adding them to the pie. Raw potatoes will not be cooked by the time the rest of the ingredients are ready, so it is recommended to parboil or fully boil the potatoes first. To do this, place the potatoes in a large pot or saucepan and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, which can take around 15-20 minutes depending on the size of the chunks. Then, drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add butter, milk, salt, and pepper to taste, and mash the potatoes. The potatoes are now ready to be added to the chicken pot pie filling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of potato | Waxy potatoes, such as red potatoes, new potatoes, or Yukon Gold potatoes, are recommended as they hold their shape better. |
| Potato preparation | Potatoes should be cut into small chunks and boiled or parboiled before adding to the pie. |
| Boiling instructions | Place the potatoes in a large pot or saucepan and cover with water. Add salt to the water if desired. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until tender (approximately 15-20 minutes). |
| Draining and mashing | After boiling, drain the potatoes and allow them to steam dry for 1-2 minutes. Mash the potatoes with butter, milk, salt, and pepper to taste. |
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What You'll Learn
Boil potatoes for 8-10 minutes before adding to the pie filling
To cook small chunks of potato for a pot pie, it is recommended that you boil them first. This is because raw potatoes will not be cooked by the time the rest of the ingredients are ready. Parboiling the potatoes first ensures that they are cooked through and hold their shape.
To parboil potatoes, first, cut them into small chunks. Place the potatoes into a large pot or saucepan and cover them with water. You can use salted water or add a teaspoon of salt to the water if you wish. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a medium-low setting. Cover the pot and allow the potatoes to simmer until they are tender. This should take around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of your potato chunks.
After simmering, drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. If you plan to mash the potatoes before adding them to your pie filling, add butter, milk, salt, and pepper to taste. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher and stir in any additional ingredients. For a chicken pot pie, you can then add cooked chicken and vegetables to the mashed potatoes and stir to combine.
If you are adding the potatoes to the pie filling whole, boil them for 8-10 minutes or until they are crisp-tender. Then drain the water and add the potatoes to your pie filling.
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Use waxy potatoes to prevent them from turning to mush
When making a chicken pot pie, it's important to consider the type of potatoes you're using to prevent them from turning to mush. Waxy potatoes, such as red potatoes, new potatoes, and Yukon Gold potatoes, are recommended as they hold their shape better during cooking. These potatoes contain less starch and more moisture, allowing them to absorb less water and maintain their texture and flavour.
To prepare the potatoes for your pot pie, start by cutting them into small, evenly sized chunks. Place the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover them with water. You can add a pinch of salt to the water if desired. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low or low, and allow the potatoes to simmer.
For small, chunked potatoes, it's best to simmer them until they are fork-tender or crisp-tender. This should take around 8-10 minutes, depending on the size of your potato chunks. Be sure to keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking, which can lead to mushy potatoes. Once they are tender, drain the potatoes in a colander and set them aside to steam dry for a minute or two.
At this point, you can choose to mash the potatoes or keep them in chunks, depending on your preference for the pot pie filling. If you're mashing the potatoes, add butter, milk, salt, and pepper to taste, and mash until you reach your desired consistency. You can then proceed with the rest of your pot pie recipe, combining the potatoes with the other ingredients and baking until golden and delicious. Enjoy!
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Bake the potatoes before adding to the pie
When preparing potatoes for a pot pie, it is important to cook them before adding them to the pie. This is because raw potatoes will not be cooked by the time the rest of the ingredients are ready. To cook the potatoes, you can either boil or bake them. This guide will focus on the latter method.
First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is preheating, prepare the potatoes by cutting them into small, evenly sized chunks. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and toss them with a small amount of olive oil, ensuring that all sides of the potatoes are coated. Spread the potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet, leaving space between each chunk to allow for even cooking.
Bake the potatoes in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are tender and lightly browned. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn. Once they are cooked, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before handling.
At this point, you can season the potatoes with salt, pepper, and any other desired herbs or spices. You can also choose to mash the potatoes, creating a creamy texture that can be used as a filling or topping for your pot pie. If you prefer chunkier potatoes in your pie, simply add the cooked potatoes to the filling mixture before assembling the pie.
By baking the potatoes before adding them to the pie, you ensure that they are cooked through and have a desirable texture. This method also allows you to control the seasoning and flavour of the potatoes, enhancing the overall taste of your pot pie.
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Mash the potatoes with butter, milk, salt and pepper
To make mashed potatoes for a pot pie, start by placing your potatoes into a large pot or saucepan and covering them with water. You can add salt to the water if you wish. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and leave the potatoes to simmer until tender. This should take around 15-20 minutes. You'll know they're done when you can easily pierce them with a fork.
Once they're tender, drain the water and return the potatoes to the pot. Add butter, milk, salt, and pepper. You can also add scallions or cheese if you wish. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or fork until they reach your desired consistency. If you prefer smoother mashed potatoes, you can use a hand mixer or blender.
For a creamier texture, gradually add more milk while mashing until you reach the desired consistency. Taste the mashed potatoes as you go and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can also add more butter for a richer flavour.
Now you have your mashed potatoes, you can use them as a filling or topping for your pot pie.
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Add cheese to the potato mixture
To add cheese to your potato mixture, start by choosing your cheese. Cheddar is a popular choice, with extra mature or vintage varieties offering the best flavour. You could also use American, Muenster, Havarti, or Brie.
Next, prepare your potatoes. Place your potatoes in a pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until fork-tender, or for around 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes and allow them to cool. Once cool enough to handle, peel the potatoes and place them in a bowl.
Add butter, cream cheese, and a splash of milk to the potatoes. Mash the potatoes until they are almost smooth. You can then add your grated or shredded cheese. The amount of cheese you add is up to your preference, but most recipes suggest adding three-quarters of your cheese to the mixture, and using the rest as a topping.
Stir the cheese into the potato mixture until well combined. You can then add additional ingredients like mustard, spring onions, or eggs, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Your cheesy potato mixture is now ready to be used in your pot pie!
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is recommended to boil or parboil the potatoes before adding them to the pie filling. Raw potatoes may not cook through by the time the rest of the ingredients are ready.
Boil the potatoes for around 8-10 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Drain and set aside.
Waxy potatoes are typically regarded as the best for boiling as they absorb less water and maintain their shape and flavour. Common waxy potatoes include red potatoes, new potatoes, and Yukon Gold potatoes.
Yes, you can use leftover potatoes in your chicken pot pie. Pre-cooked potatoes will not turn to mush while the pie is baking.
Boil the potatoes until tender, drain, and return to the pot. Add butter, salt, pepper, and milk, and mash with a potato masher. You can then add this mashed potato mixture to your pie filling.
