There’s nothing quite like the comfort of a warm chicken pot pie on a cold evening. That flaky, buttery crust wrapped around tender chicken, veggies, and creamy gravy… just thinking about it makes my mouth water! But let’s be honest – while homemade pot pies are amazing, who has the time to make them from scratch? That’s why I’ve spent literally years trying different frozen and restaurant pot pies to find the absolute best ones out there.
In this article, I’ll share my findings after sampling dozens of different chicken pot pies. Whether you’re grabbing one from the freezer section or hitting up your favorite restaurant chain, I’ve got you covered with detailed rankings from worst to best. Trust me, some of the results might surprise you!
Frozen Chicken Pot Pies: The Good, The Bad, and The Downright Terrible
Let’s start with the freezer aisle options. I’ve tried a bunch of different brands over the years, and lemme tell you – the quality difference between the worst and best is HUGE. Some brands are super stingy with chicken while others are packed with it. Some have watery gravy while others nail that perfect creamy consistency. Here’s my ranking from worst to best:
The Bottom-Tier Contenders
12. Atkins Crustless Chicken Pot Pie
This low-carb option is a big disappointment. With only 300 calories and 6g of carbs, it might seem appealing to dieters, but the flavor is severely lacking. There’s way too much broccoli and cauliflower (which aren’t even traditional pot pie ingredients) and barely any carrots or chicken. The whole thing tastes more like a broccoli dish than a chicken pot pie.
11 Healthy Choice Crustless Chicken Pot PieAnother crustless option that falls flat. The chicken is downright frightening – ultra-processed, spongy, and unsightly The “gravy” is basically weird, salty water. As one reviewer put it, it’s “one of the worst microwavable meals ever.” The dumplings included as a crust substitute are odd and chewy. Hard pass.
10. Banquet Chicken Pot Pie
This budget option is super small with minimal filling. While the chicken flavor is prominent, there’s hardly any actual chunks of chicken or veggies to be found. The crust burns quickly even when wrapped in foil as directed. The gravy tastes thin and salty, similar to canned chicken noodle soup. You get what you pay for with this one.
9. Willow Tree Chicken Pot PieThe filling in this pie doesn’t hold together well, resembling more of a loose soup. The vegetables look industrially processed (those perfectly uniform carrot cubes are a dead giveaway), and the chicken pieces while large are surprisingly sparse. The overall flavor is disappointingly lackluster.
The Middle-of-the-Road Options
8 Stouffer’s Chicken Pot PieThis one tastes very industrial – definitely screams “frozen meal.” The flavor is bland and the crust easily burns during cooking, coming out dry even when following the directions exactly It lacks that homemade quality that makes a pot pie special.
7. Marie Callender’s Plant-Based Chick’n Pot Pie
This plant-based alternative uses soy-based “chick’n” that unfortunately has the texture of tofu. The pieces are too mushy and silky, almost dissolving on the tongue like sticky jelly – not exactly what you want in place of chicken. Still, it’s better than some of the bottom-tier options.
6. Boston Market Chicken Pot Pie
The size is satisfying and the crust is golden brown. The vegetables are plentiful and the sauce is nicely creamy. The crust could be flakier, but the filling taste is quite good. Their crustless variety with dumplings is also decent and provides a good 24g of protein.
5. Mrs. Budd’s Chicken Pot Pie
This pie comes together nicely with a solid texture throughout. The crust stayed intact during cooking, and the flavor had more seasoning than other brands. The vegetables are cut nicely – large and not overly processed – and the chicken pieces are both plentiful and sizable, giving it a more homemade feel.
The Top Contenders
4. Blake’s Chicken Pot Pie
Blake’s stands out with its unique approach – the crust sits only on top like a biscuit rather than surrounding the filling. That crust is perfectly flaky and delicious, very buttery and homemade-tasting. The filling includes potatoes (which not all brands do), though some reviewers felt there were too many potatoes compared to chicken. The gravy is nicely thick, a big improvement over the watery versions from lower-ranked brands.
3. Boomerang’s Hand Pies
Inspired by Australian meat pies, these hand-held pot pies offer something different. The chicken and mushroom variety was particularly praised. Interestingly, the crust comes out better when cooked in the microwave than the oven, making these perfect for a quick office lunch. They’re convenient and delicious.
2. Kardea Brown Chicken Pot Pie
This pot pie has a country-style flavor that’s richer and butterier than others. It’s well-seasoned with visible pepper throughout. The chicken comes in smaller, uniform pieces but is distributed abundantly, giving the impression of a pie filled with quality ingredients. The softer crust is more like puff pastry when microwaved.
1. Marie Callender’s Regular Chicken Pot Pie
Taking the top spot is Marie Callender’s traditional chicken pot pie. It delivers everything you want: golden, flaky crust, rich filling with generous chunks of chicken, and perfect consistency. What puts it over the top is the variety of options available – including cauliflower crust, parmesan chicken, chicken with mushrooms, and even bacon versions. The fact that they also offer a plant-based option makes Marie Callender’s the hero of frozen pot pies.
Honorable Mention: Chef Ramsay’s Chicken Pot Pie
This pie impressed with its firm crust that provides nice structural contrast to the filling. The chicken is tender and juicy, but what really makes it special is the gravy with minced mushrooms that infuse richness throughout. The only downside is it could use more filling, but the flavor is spectacular with great attention to detail.
Honorable Mention: Bettergoods Chicken Pot Pie
This tastes remarkably close to homemade with thick, peppery gravy enhanced by thyme and rosemary. The crust is buttery and flaky, and the veggies are generously portioned with surprisingly fresh flavor. The addition of diced celery gives an earthy pop, and the chicken tastes like it was freshly cooked rather than frozen.
Restaurant Chain Chicken Pot Pies: Where to Dine Out
When you’re not in the mood to heat up a frozen pie, which restaurant chains serve the best chicken pot pies? Here’s what I found:
Skip These Restaurant Pot Pies
Boston Market
Despite their decent frozen offering, reviewers found Boston Market’s restaurant pot pie filling completely lacking in seasoning and flavor.
Metro Diner
One critic compared Metro Diner’s pot pie to a blend of canned soup and pancake mix – not exactly a glowing recommendation!
Jason’s Deli and Potbelly
Both offer chicken pot pie soup rather than a full pie, but the mushy chicken and inadequate crust topping left diners unimpressed.
The Restaurant Chains That Do It Right
KFC
Surprisingly, KFC takes a top spot with their pot pie! They use their signature fried chicken, giving it incredible flavor. And the price is quite reasonable too.
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
Cheddar’s bakes their pies fresh daily, resulting in unmatched quality and taste. Reviewers particularly love the flaky crust and tender chicken.
Cracker Barrel
Their chicken pot pie features classic veggies and a tasty crust. While the filling could use a bit more seasoning, it’s still a satisfying comfort food option.
Lazy Dog
This chain impressed with its hearty, chunky filling and herb-topped crust. Reviewers praised it as a high-quality chicken pot pie.
Tips for Finding Your Perfect Chicken Pot Pie
After all my testing and research, I’ve figured out some key things to look for when searching for your ideal chicken pot pie:
- Prioritize freshness – Brands that bake daily generally taste better than those frozen for long periods
- Look for visible ingredients – Chunky pieces of chicken and veggies usually indicate better quality
- Evaluate the crust – A great pot pie needs a crispy, flaky crust that complements the filling
- Consider your preferences – Some people prefer more veggies, others want it heavy on the chicken
- Don’t judge by price alone – Some budget brands can surprise you with their quality
My Final Thoughts
After trying so many different chicken pot pies, I’ve realized that Marie Callender’s frozen pot pies and KFC’s restaurant version are the most consistently satisfying options for most people. However, specialty brands like Blake’s, Kardea Brown, and Chef Ramsay’s offerings bring something unique to the table that might better suit your specific taste preferences.
Whichever brand you choose, there’s something deeply comforting about breaking through that golden crust into a steaming hot filling. And while homemade will always have a special place in my heart, these convenient options make it possible to enjoy this classic comfort food even on busy weeknights.
How we prepared the frozen pot pies
While many of the frozen pot pies we tested included microwave instructions, we wanted crisp crusts, so we cooked these frozen pot pies in a full-sized oven or in our (brand new) countertop oven. We followed the instructions and did our best to eat them while they were still warm and crisp. (Though, to me, the best frozen pot pie should still be good at room temp.)
What we looked for in the best frozen pot pie
We wanted pies with crisp, flaky, buttery, well-seasoned crusts. And, though we tried a variety of types of pot pie, we wanted the filling to be plentiful. Whether it was chicken, beef, or vegetable, we wanted there to be a lot of it and we wanted that filling to be moistened with an ample amount of gravy.
If you’re looking for the best frozen chicken pot pie, you’ll find our number one here. But if you’d like a full ranking of a variety of frozen chicken pot pies, head on over to our best frozen chicken pot pie list. If you want some variety, keep reading. Here are the best frozen pot pies you can buy.
What Most People Get Wrong About Chicken Pot Pie
FAQ
Why is Costco chicken pot pie so good?
The chicken is plentiful and delicious, too — and the filling is covered in a savory gravy that just makes everything moist and really tasty. The vegetables are tender and cooked through without being mushy (despite such a long cook time), and the pie crust is buttery, and flaky, and ties everything together.
Is KFC’s pot pie good?