How Long Does It Take to Heat Up a Frozen Chicken Pot Pie? The Complete Timing Guide

Have you ever found yourself staring at a frozen chicken pot pie in your freezer wondering exactly how much time you need to set aside to get that golden flaky crust and bubbling filling ready for dinner? I know I have! As someone who loves the convenience of having a few emergency meals in the freezer, I’ve learned that proper timing is everything when it comes to reheating these savory treats.

In this guide, I’ll break down exactly how long you need to heat up a frozen chicken pot pie using different methods, plus share some tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way to get that perfect result every time.

The Short Answer: Timing Depends on Your Method

Before diving into the details, here’s a quick reference for how long it typically takes:

• Defrosted first method: 50-60 minutes at 375°F
• Straight from frozen method: 80-90 minutes at 350°F
• Individual/smaller pies: 25-30 minutes (when reheating)
• Family-sized pies: 45-50 minutes (when reheating)

But wait! There’s much more to consider for perfect results…

Factors That Affect Heating Time

Several things impact how long your frozen chicken pot pie will take to heat properly:

• Size and shape – Deeper dish pies take longer than shallow ones
• Oven type – Convection ovens cook faster than conventional ones
• Starting temperature – Defrosted vs. fully frozen
• Oven accuracy – Many home ovens are improperly calibrated
• Container – Metal pie pans conduct heat differently than disposable ones

Best Method: Defrost First for Superior Results

The gold standard approach for heating a frozen chicken pot pie is to defrost it before baking. Here’s why this works best and how to do it:

The Defrost-First Method

1. Defrost overnight in your refrigerator (this is crucial!)
2. Place the thawed pie on a lined baking sheet (don’t skip this – your oven will thank you!)
3. Preheat your oven to 375°F (or 350°F for convection)
4. Bake for 50-60 minutes until golden brown and bubbling

Pro tip: When in doubt, bake it longer! You want the crust to be completely brown across the top, not translucent in any spots. If you have a food thermometer, the center should reach 165°F.

The overnight defrost method gives you several advantages

• Flakier, crispier crust
• Thicker, more flavorful gravy
• More even cooking throughout
• Shorter overall baking time

The “Emergency Pie” Method: Straight from Frozen

Sometimes life happens and you don’t have time to defrost. No worries! You can still enjoy your chicken pot pie by baking directly from frozen:

1. Place frozen pie on a lined baking sheet (seriously, don’t skip the liner!)
2. Preheat oven to 350°F (or 325°F for convection)
3. Bake for 80-90 minutes

Important note: Cooking times can vary greatly depending on your specific oven and the size of the pie. The pie is done when:

• The crust is completely golden brown across the top
• The filling is visibly bubbling (not just at the edges)
• Internal temperature reaches 165°F on a food thermometer

The gravy might be a bit looser when baked from frozen since it didn’t have time to thicken during defrosting, but the results are still tasty!

Helpful Tips for Perfect Pot Pie Results

Through lots of trial and error, I’ve discovered some tricks to make sure your chicken pot pie turns out amazing every time:

• Always use a lined baking sheet – Crusts can drip butter or leak filling
• Cover edges with foil if they’re browning too quickly
• Start with a hotter oven for quick browning, then reduce heat to finish cooking the center
• Don’t rely solely on timing – Use visual cues like crust color and bubbling filling
• Check frequently toward the end of cooking time
• Let rest 5-10 minutes before slicing so the filling can set up

Reheating Already-Baked Chicken Pot Pie

If you’re dealing with leftovers from an already baked pot pie, the process is much simpler:

1. For individual slices: Reheat in the microwave until warmed through
2. For a whole leftover pie: Reheat uncovered at 350°F for 15-20 minutes

Just watch that the crust doesn’t burn during reheating!

Common Questions About Heating Frozen Chicken Pot Pies

Should I thaw a frozen chicken pot pie before baking?

Ideally, yes! Thawing overnight in the refrigerator gives you the best results with a flakier crust and more evenly cooked filling. However, if you’re short on time, you can bake directly from frozen – just add 30-40 extra minutes to your cooking time.

How do I know when my chicken pot pie is done?

Your pot pie is done when:

• The crust is golden brown all over (no translucent spots)
• The filling is bubbling steadily (not just around the edges)
• Internal temperature reaches 165°F on a food thermometer

Why is my pot pie crust getting too dark before the filling is hot?

This is a common problem! If your crust is browning too quickly while the center remains cold, loosely cover the pie with aluminum foil for part of the baking time. This allows the filling to heat through without burning the crust.

Can I use an air fryer to heat a frozen chicken pot pie?

Yes! While traditional oven methods are most common, air fryers can work well too. The advantage is faster cooking time, though you may need to experiment with your specific model.

Final Thoughts

Heating a frozen chicken pot pie isn’t complicated, but it does require some patience to get it right. Remember that the size of your pie, your oven’s performance, and whether you start from frozen or thawed all impact your cooking time.

When possible, I always recommend the defrost-first method for superior results. But on busy nights when that’s not an option, the straight-from-frozen approach works fine too – just allow enough time for proper heating.

Keep these guidelines in mind, and you’ll be enjoying perfectly heated chicken pot pie with minimal fuss. The crispy, flaky crust and warm, savory filling make it worth the wait!

What’s your favorite way to enjoy chicken pot pie? Do you have any special heating tricks I didn’t mention? I’d love to hear about them!