Easy Chicken Vegetable Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie is one of my comfort foods. It's just been too hot to make one until recently. (It's still hot, but cool enough to risk it!) I love this for leftovers, if we end up with any. The flavors seem to develop even further. Here's what you'll need to make one 9" pot pie:

Photo bySally

Ingredients:

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1 medium potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup frozen green peas
• 1/2 cup sliced celery
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2/3 cup whole milk or half and half
• 2 (9 inch) unbaked pie crusts

Begin by preheating the oven to 425°F. In a saucepan, place the chicken, carrots, potatoes, and celery, and add enough chicken broth to cover the ingredients. Bring to a boil and let it cook for 15 minutes. Once done, remove from heat and drain, saving the broth.

While the chicken mixture is cooking, melt the butter in a separate saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until they become soft and translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. Mix in the flour, salt, pepper, celery seed, thyme, and garlic powder stirring until combined. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk. (You may have to add a bit more broth to make sure you still have 2 cups worth)

Lower the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer until it thickens, which should take around 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Place pie crust in a deep 9" pie plate and gently press to line edges well. Put the cooked chicken and vegetables, including peas, into the prepared pie crust. Then, pour the hot broth mixture evenly over the top. Cover with the second pie crust, sealing the edges, and trim any excess dough. Cut a few small slits in the top to allow steam to escape.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Allow the pie to cool and set for about 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!