Dairy-Free Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie for dinner was a treat growing up and something I missed dearly after I had to go dairy-free 25 years ago. This Dairy-Free Chicken Pot Pie was one of the first remake recipes I created back then, and I have made this dish countless times for my family. I’ve also made it for friends and neighbors after the birth of a baby or a death in the family. No one knew it was free of anything – they just asked for the recipe.

Why You Will Love This Dairy Free Chicken Pot Pie

• It’s delicious classic comfort food. It’s the perfect full meal in one casserole dish.
• It doesn’t taste free of anything. It may be dairy-free, but everyone will love it!
• Leftovers are divine. If you have any, of course!
• Easy to make ahead. You can make the filling ahead of time and then bake with the topping when ready.

Recipe Ingredients and Substitution Options:

• Chicken. 2-3 chicken breasts or 1 1/2 cups of cooked shredded chicken.
• Puff pastry. 1-2 sheets.
  • Most puff pastry you can buy is dairy-free, thank goodness! Always read the ingredient list, just in case. If you need to make this gluten-free, Schar makes one that is both d-f and g-f.
  • You can use crescent rolls instead (most are dairy-free!)
  • Or you can make homemade dairy-free pie crust
• Vegetables. Potato, carrot, celery, onion, frozen peas. If you don’t have or don’t like one of those, you can omit it. You can also add corn or green beans if you’d like.
• Olive Oil. For sauteeing the vegetables.
• Mayo. I use Miracle Whip as a base for the sauce. Since I originally created this recipe over 25 years ago, many dairy-free products have come on the market, but I haven’t found anything that works or tastes better for this recipe than the tangy zip of Miracle Whip (or other mayo).
• Flour. To thicken the sauce.
• Almond milk. I use unsweetened almond milk. You could also oat or soy milk (or real milk if dairy isn’t an issue).
• Spices. Salt, pepper and garlic powder.
• Egg (or water). To brush on the top of the puff pastry.
• Parsley. Optional garnish.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Large casserole dish or large, deep pie pan
• Large skillet
• Pot (for chicken and potatoes)
• Basting brush for egg wash

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Preparation

• Thaw the puff pastry
• Chop your vegetables
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F

Cook the Chicken and Potatoes

• Bring a pot of water to a gentle boil; add your chicken breasts.
• 5 minutes later, add your cubed potatoes.
• Cook until the chicken is done (internal temperature reaches 165°F; 74°C) and the potatoes are soft (but not mushy).
• Drain but SAVE 1/4 cup of the chicken/potato water.

Make the Pie Filling and Pie Crust

STEP 1: While the chicken and potatoes are cooking, sautee the celery, onions and carrots 6-7 minutes in a large skillet (until soft).

STEP 2: Add the flour and coat your vegetables with it. Add your mayo and dairy-free milk, stirring to remove any lumps. Then add the spices and frozen peas.

STEP 3: Transfer everything in your skillet to your baking dish.

STEP 4: Add the puff pastry to create a crust on top; brush it with egg or water.

Bake for 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees F

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the meat mixture ahead of time and then assemble and bake when you’re ready to serve and eat them.

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of chicken breasts?

Yes. You can use 1 1/2 cups of cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken (or leftover chicken).

Can I freeze this chicken pot pie recipe?

If you want to make this ahead of time and freeze, I recommend only freezing the filling, then thawing and baking it with the crust topping when you are ready to eat it.

If you have leftovers you want to freeze, you can freeze all of it (filling and crust), thaw it, then reheat it in the oven (or microwave) later.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can use a gluten-free puff pastry (Schar makes one) or gluten-free pie pastry dough for the crust and substitute the flour for cornstarch to thicken the sauce.

What can I serve with this pot pie?

This is a complete meal, but if you want to add a side dish, a salad or homemade French bread goes nicely with it.

Looking for More Chicken Recipes?

Try these:

• King Ranch Dairy-Free Chicken Casserole
• Spicy Chicken Puff Pastry
• Almond Butter Coconut Curry Chicken
• Bacon Wrapped Spinach Stuffed Chicken
• Chicken and Shrimp Jambalaya
• Easy Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup