Easy Mini Chicken Pot Pies for Cozy Nights
If you’re looking for a warm, hearty meal that brings comfort and smiles to the table, Mini Chicken Pot Pies are exactly what you need. These bite-sized wonders capture all the cozy goodness of classic chicken pot pie but in an easy, perfectly portioned format. Whip up comforting Mini Chicken Pot Pies with this easy recipe—perfect for cozy nights and family dinners in no time! Each flaky crust is loaded with tender chicken, creamy sauce, and vibrant vegetables, making every bite a nostalgic hug in food form.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Portion Sizes: Mini Chicken Pot Pies are great for individual servings, reducing waste and making mealtime convenient.
- Comfort Food Classic: This dish delivers all the familiar warmth and flavors of a traditional chicken pot pie in a fun, personal size.
- Quick Prep: Ready in less than an hour, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or last-minute comfort food cravings.
- Family Friendly: Kids and adults alike adore these savory pies packed with wholesome ingredients.
- Customizable: You can easily swap veggies and proteins to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple, essential ingredients come together beautifully for a balanced combination of flavor, texture, and color in your Mini Chicken Pot Pies.
- Cooked chicken: Use shredded or diced, either leftover roasted chicken or store-bought rotisserie chicken works wonderfully.
- Mixed vegetables: Peas, carrots, and corn add natural sweetness and bright colors for that classic pot pie look.
- Pie crust: Store-bought or homemade pie crusts work perfectly to create flaky, buttery tops and bases.
- Chicken broth: Essential for the creamy, flavorful filling base without adding heaviness.
- Flour: Used to thicken the filling into that perfect velvety texture that holds everything together.
- Butter: Adds richness and a golden crust when baked.
- Milk or cream: Makes the filling luscious and smooth.
- Onion and garlic: Provide aromatic depth and savory undertones.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, thyme, and parsley enhance every bite with classic herbaceous notes.
Variations for Mini Chicken Pot Pies
Feel free to customize these Mini Chicken Pot Pies to suit your pantry, preferences, or dietary needs—since this recipe adapts beautifully!
- Vegetarian version: Substitute chicken with mushrooms, lentils, or chickpeas for a meatless delight.
- Gluten-free crust: Use a store-bought gluten-free crust or make a homemade alternative for gluten sensitivity.
- Dairy-free filling: Swap cream for coconut milk or almond milk and use olive oil instead of butter.
- Add herbs and spices: Experiment with rosemary, sage, or a pinch of smoked paprika to alter the flavor profile.
- Different proteins: Try turkey, ham, or even shredded beef in place of chicken for variety.
How to Make Mini Chicken Pot Pies
Step 1: Prepare the filling
Start by melting butter in a pan and sautéing diced onions and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent. Stir in the flour to create a roux, cooking for about a minute, then gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk. Simmer until thickened into a creamy sauce, then fold in cooked chicken, mixed vegetables, and seasonings like thyme, salt, and pepper.
Step 2: Roll out the crust
On a floured surface, roll out the pie crusts slightly thinner if needed. Use a round cutter or a glass to cut circles that will fit your muffin or mini pie tins for the bases and tops.
Step 3: Assemble the pies
Press the dough circles into the bottoms of greased muffin tins, spoon a generous amount of filling into each cup, then top each with another dough circle. Seal edges by pinching or crimping and cut small slits on top crusts to allow steam to escape.
Step 4: Bake until golden
Brush the tops lightly with milk or an egg wash for extra shine and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes or until the crusts are golden brown and filling is bubbly.
Pro Tips for Making Mini Chicken Pot Pies
- Use cold butter in crust: Keeps the dough flaky by preventing excess gluten development.
- Don’t overfill: Leave a little room at the top so the crust seals well and prevents spillover during baking.
- Let filling cool: Allow the filling to cool before assembling to avoid soggy crust.
- Egg wash for shine: Brushing tops with egg wash gives a beautiful golden color and crispiness.
- Prep ahead: Assemble pies ahead and refrigerate before baking to save time on busy days.
How to Serve Mini Chicken Pot Pies
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or thyme on top adds an inviting pop of green and fresh flavor to these golden mini pies.
Side Dishes
Pair these hearty Mini Chicken Pot Pies with a crisp side salad, roasted vegetables, or even creamy mashed potatoes for a satisfying meal that feels like a hug on a plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your pies on rustic wooden boards or individual plates lined with a bright napkin, and offer dipping sauces like a tangy cranberry chutney or a smooth mustard aioli for extra flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Mini Chicken Pot Pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, preserving their flaky texture and creamy filling effortlessly.
Freezing
These pies freeze beautifully: freeze unbaked assembled pies on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding extra baking time.
Reheating
Reheat leftover pies in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to restore crispness, avoiding the microwave to prevent sogginess.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut that keeps the filling flavorful and tender without extra cooking effort.
Can I make these pies vegan?
Yes, substitute chicken with mushrooms or lentils, use a plant-based crust, and swap butter and milk for vegan alternatives to create a delicious vegan version.
What’s the best way to reheat Mini Chicken Pot Pies?
Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm and crispy, which preserves crust texture much better than microwaving.
Can I prepare the pies ahead of time?
Definitely! Assembling them ahead and refrigerating allows you to bake fresh whenever you’re ready, saving time during busy evenings.
Are Mini Chicken Pot Pies kid-friendly?
Yes, their size and familiar flavors make them perfect for kids, plus they’re easy to hold and eat without mess.
Final Thoughts
Mini Chicken Pot Pies truly bring every bit of that cozy, homemade goodness into a perfectly sized meal. Whether it’s a chilly night or a family dinner that calls for comfort and warmth, this recipe is a fantastic go-to. Dive in, customize to your heart’s content, and enjoy every flaky, creamy bite that feels like home on a plate!
PrintMini Chicken Pot Pies
Mini Chicken Pot Pies offer a warm, hearty, and comforting meal in perfectly portioned bite-sized pies. Featuring flaky crusts filled with tender chicken, creamy sauce, and vibrant mixed vegetables, these individual pies are ideal for cozy family dinners or easy weeknight meals, delivering nostalgic, savory goodness with every bite.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 mini chicken pot pies
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Protein
- Cooked chicken (shredded or diced) – about 2 cups, leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken recommended
Vegetables
- Mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, and corn) – 1 cup total
- Onion (diced) – 1 small
- Garlic (minced) – 2 cloves
Crust
- Pie crust – enough for 12 mini pies (store-bought or homemade)
- Butter – 4 tablespoons (for filling and crust richness)
Filling Base
- Chicken broth – 1 cup
- Flour – 3 tablespoons (for thickening)
- Milk or cream – 1 cup
Seasonings
- Salt – to taste
- Pepper – to taste
- Thyme – 1 teaspoon dried or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped
- Parsley – 1 tablespoon freshly chopped (plus extra for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons of flour to create a roux, cooking for about 1 minute while stirring continuously. Gradually whisk in 1 cup of chicken broth and 1 cup of milk or cream. Simmer the mixture, stirring often, until it thickens into a creamy sauce. Fold in the cooked chicken, mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, and corn), and season with thyme, salt, and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and let cool before assembling.
- Roll out the crust: Lightly flour your surface and roll out the pie crust slightly thinner if needed. Using a round cutter or glass, cut out 24 circles—12 for the bases and 12 for the tops of the mini pies—sized to fit your muffin or mini pie tins.
- Assemble the pies: Grease the muffin tin cups. Press one dough circle into the bottom of each cup evenly. Spoon a generous amount of the cooled filling into each crust-lined cup. Top each with a second dough circle. Seal the edges by pinching or crimping, then cut small slits on the top crusts to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake until golden: Optionally, brush the tops lightly with milk or an egg wash to achieve a shiny golden crust. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the mini pies for 25-30 minutes, or until the crusts are golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Remove from oven and allow to cool briefly before serving.
Notes
- Use cold butter in crust dough to keep it flaky by limiting gluten development.
- Don’t overfill the pies; leave a little room at the top so the crust seals properly and prevents spillover during baking.
- Allow filling to cool before assembling pies to avoid soggy crusts.
- Brushing tops with egg wash before baking yields a beautiful golden color and crispiness.
- Assemble pies ahead of time and refrigerate before baking to save time on busy days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini pot pie
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: mini chicken pot pies, comfort food, bite-sized pies, individual pot pies, easy family dinner, chicken pot pie, savory pies