Nothing says comfort food quite like a chicken pot pie with its flaky crust and creamy filling But what happens when you can’t finish that delicious pie in one sitting? Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered with all the best ways to reheat your leftover chicken pot pie while maintaining that perfect texture and flavor,
As someone who’s reheated more pot pies than I care to admit, I can tell you there’s definitely a right way and a wrong way to go about it. Let’s explore the various methods so you can enjoy your leftovers almost as much as the original!
The Oven Method: The Gold Standard
The oven is hands-down the best way to reheat chicken pot pie. Why? Because it gives you that perfect combination of a crispy golden crust and a evenly heated filling. Here’s how to do it right
Step-by-Step Oven Reheating Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350-375°F (175-190°C)
- Take your pot pie out of the refrigerator
- Place the pot pie on a baking sheet (this catches any potential drips)
- Cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the crust from burning
- Heat for approximately 25-30 minutes (for a whole pie)
- Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the crust
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving
Food expert Erin Clarke recommends “The oven gives you the best of both worlds a crisp, golden crust and a creamy interior that heats evenly” She suggests 350°F for 15-20 minutes for just a slice, or 30-35 minutes for an entire pie.
Pro tip: If you’re only reheating a slice, place it in a smaller oven-safe dish with tall sides for best results.
The Microwave Method: When You’re in a Hurry
Look, we’ve all been there – sometimes you just need that pot pie ASAP and don’t have time for the oven. The microwave works in a pinch, but be warned: your crust will not stay crispy.
Microwave Reheating Instructions:
- Cut the pot pie into individual slices
- Place a slice on a microwave-safe plate
- Set your microwave to the lowest power setting
- Heat for approximately 2 minutes
- Check if it’s heated through; if not, continue heating in 30-second intervals
The big downside? The microwave will make your crust soggy. But if you’re really hungry and short on time, it’ll get the job done!
The Stovetop Method: A Surprising Option
This method isn’t as well-known, but it can work well for smaller portions:
Stovetop Reheating Instructions:
- Lightly coat a skillet with non-stick cooking spray
- Place the skillet over medium heat
- Add your slice of pot pie
- Cover the skillet with a lid to trap heat
- Heat for about 5 minutes or until warmed through
This method works best for pies where the filling is completely encased in crust, not just topped with pastry. Watch carefully to make sure the filling doesn’t leak out and burn!
Reheating Frozen Chicken Pot Pie
If you’ve stored your leftover pot pie in the freezer, you’ll need to adjust your approach:
Reheating from Frozen:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C)
- Remove packaging and place the frozen pie in a baking dish
- Cover with foil
- Bake for 30-40 minutes
- Remove foil for the last 5-10 minutes to brown the crust
- Let it rest before serving
The slightly higher temperature helps thaw and heat the pie efficiently. Just make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
Expert Tips for Perfect Reheated Pot Pie
To take your reheated pot pie to the next level, try these pro tips:
Preventing a Dry Filling:
If you’re worried about the filling drying out during reheating, try this clever hack:
- Carefully lift the crust at the edges
- Add a small amount of chicken broth or gravy to the filling
- Replace the crust before reheating
Preventing Burned Crust:
“Foil is your bestie here,” says Erin Clarke. “I recommend tenting the pie loosely with foil to keep the top from getting too dark.” Then uncover for the last few minutes to crisp up.
Room Temperature Tip:
Let your pot pie sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before reheating. This helps it heat more evenly and reduces the risk of a burnt crust and cold center. Just don’t leave it out longer than 2 hours for food safety reasons!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When reheating your chicken pot pie, watch out for these common errors:
- Overheating: This leads to dried-out filling and burnt crust
- Not covering with foil: The crust will get too dark before the filling is hot
- Reheating at too high a temperature: This causes uneven heating
- Microwaving on high power: Results in rubbery chicken and soggy crust
- Reheating the same pie more than twice: For food safety, it’s best to limit reheating
Food Safety Considerations
Keep these important safety tips in mind:
- Store leftover chicken pot pie in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking
- Refrigerated pot pie is good for 3-5 days
- Frozen pot pie can last 2-6 months
- Always ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when reheating
- Don’t reheate the same portion more than once or twice
Which Method Should You Choose?
Let’s compare the three main reheating methods:
| Method | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oven | Best texture, even heating | Takes longer | When you have time and want the best quality |
| Microwave | Quick and convenient | Soggy crust | When you’re in a hurry |
| Stovetop | Good for single slices | Requires monitoring | Small portions |
For most situations, the oven is your best bet. It’s worth the extra time to get that perfect combination of crispy crust and hot, creamy filling.
Final Thoughts
Reheating chicken pot pie doesn’t have to result in a soggy, disappointing meal. With the right technique, your leftover pot pie can be almost as delicious as when it was first baked!
I personally always go with the oven method when I have the time – nothing beats that crispy crust. But on busy weekdays, I’m not above using the microwave in a pinch (just don’t tell anyone!).
What’s your favorite way to reheat chicken pot pie? Do you have any special tricks that work for you? Whatever method you choose, enjoy that comforting, savory goodness all over again!
Stove Top Skillet Method
- Heat a non-stick frying pan on medium to medium-high heat.
- Place the chicken pot pie into the pan and heat for 3-5 min. Take care not to overcook the crust.
- Flip over the pie and continue heating until it’s thoroughly cooked through.
- Remove from the heat and serve immediately.
Although it’s pretty similar to the conventional oven method, we’re including the toaster oven here, because sometimes you don’t want to bother with preheating the large oven, especially in the summer. The toaster oven produces the same great results, and it’s so simple. You don’t even need to cover the pie before heating – just place it in the preheated toaster oven and you’re good to go!
- Preheat your toaster oven. We’ve found that this usually works best between 380 to 400 degrees.
- Make a few small cuts on the top of your chicken pot pie crust to allow the steam to escape.
- Place the pie on a baking sheet in the middle of your toaster oven.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, then allow the pie to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Since it’s already been fully cooked, you don’t need to worry about the internal temperature of the pie.
Who knew there were so many possibilities for heating up your leftovers? With all these great options, you’re sure to find the best method for you! Go ahead and make that big chicken pot pie, and don’t worry about trying to finish it all at once. You can enjoy that flaky golden crust and the creamy and hearty filling knowing that it will taste just as good the next day, or even a few days later! We like to make two of our classic chicken pot pie so we can eat one and freeze one for later to reheat.
Another way to keep your chicken pot pie hot for eating is to make our crockpot chicken pot pie. It’s an easy version that tastes amazing.
And if you’re starting to get hungry from all this chicken pot pie talk, you’re not alone. So let’s get baking – the perfect hearty and delicious pot pie dinner awaits.
How Do You Reheat Chicken Pot Pie? – The Midwest Guru
FAQ
How do you reheat a cooked chicken pot pie?
How to save leftover chicken pot pie?
How do you reheat chicken pie kitchen?
The best way to reheat will be using an oven, placing the pie in an aluminium wrap, preheating the oven in fan mode and setting the temperature at 150°C to 180°C for 20 to 30 minutes. For an air fryer, you may try 150°C for 5 minutes, then 200°C for 5 minutes if at room temperature.
What temperature should you reheat a chicken pie at?
Chicken Pot Pie Reheat instructions! Preheat oven convention preferably to 400 degrees. Remove Lid. Bake for 30-35 minutes untill crust is golden brown.