Chicken Pie: Why You’ll Love This Pie
This isn’t your traditional pastry-lidded, fully encased chicken pie. It’s a cheat’s version that delivers all the satisfaction with half the effort. Think of it as a cross between a chicken and vegetable pie and a stew with a puff pastry crown—fancy enough for guests, but casual enough for a lazy Tuesday night.
Here’s why I love it (and why you will too!):
One pot + one tray = minimal dishes (and maximum satisfaction)
Loaded with veg for a proper chicken & vegetable pie vibe
Flavour-packed thanks to garlic, thyme, sun-dried tomatoes & tomato paste
Creamy sauce that hugs every ingredient in cosy deliciousness
Golden puff pastry “hat” that’s baked separately = crisp every time!
It’s the pie that proves a little shortcut doesn’t mean skimping on comfort.
The Secrets to Making the Perfect Cheats Chicken Pie
Even a cheats chicken pie can be totally luscious and full of flavour if you know a few sneaky tricks. Here are my top tips to make sure this chicken pie is your easiest win yet:
Use chicken thighs: They stay moist and juicy even after simmering. Breast meat tends to dry out—thighs are worth it.
Coat in seasoned flour: This helps create a light crust on the chicken and thickens the sauce as it simmers. So clever!
Layer your flavours: Tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and thyme come together to create that wow factor.
Don’t overcook your veg: Let the carrots and potatoes hold a bit of bite so the texture stays interesting.
Puff pastry tip: Bake it separately! That’s the cheat. You avoid a soggy bottom and get a gloriously golden puff every single time.
Best Ingredients for the Tastiest Chicken Pot Pie
This chicken pot pie may be a shortcut recipe, but the flavours are anything but basic. A few quality ingredients go a long way:
Chicken thighs: Boneless, skinless for ease, but full of rich flavour.
Onions, carrots, celery: The holy trinity of savoury cooking.
Waxy potatoes: Like Dutch Cream or Kipfler—hold their shape and soak up all that creamy sauce.
Sun-dried tomatoes: Tangy, savoury flavour bombs that lift the whole pie.
Chicken stock powder: Budget-friendly and bold in flavour—double up for that rich base.
Cream: Thickened cream gives you the dreamiest, silkiest sauce.
Puff pastry: Frozen and ready to roll—use a good quality one with real butter for best flavour.
Serving Suggestions to Round Out Your Chicken Recipe
You can totally enjoy this cheats chicken pie on its own (hello, one-bowl wonder 🙌), but if you want to make it extra special, try these pairing ideas:
Steamed greens: Think broccolini, snow peas or silverbeet tossed with lemon juice.
Fresh side salad: A zippy apple and rocket salad cuts through the richness.
Garlic bread: For all that creamy sauce at the bottom of the bowl
Pair with wine: A buttery Chardonnay or even a light Pinot Gris works beautifully.
Make-Ahead, Freezing & Reheating Tips
Good news: This easy chicken pot pie keeps like a dream. Here’s how to store and reheat for best results:
Freezer-friendly: The chicken filling freezes perfectly for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge.
Fridge storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or cream.
Reheat pastry separately: Keep your puff pastry nice and crisp by popping it back in the oven at 180°C for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Pro tip: If you’re meal-prepping, bake a batch of puff pastry hats and store in an airtight container once cooled. Instant pie topper, anytime
Other Comforting Dinner Ideas You’ll Love
If this cheats chicken pie has won your heart, I’ve got a few more chicken recipes and dinner ideas that’ll keep the comfort food train rolling:
Final Thoughts: Chicken Pie Made the Easy Way
Whether you call it a chicken pot pie, a chicken and vegetable pie, or just your new go-to chicken recipe, this cheats version is comfort food at its most approachable. With big hearty flavours, clever shortcuts and a puffy golden hat of pastry, it’s bound to be the star of your dinner ideas rotation. 💛
I’d love to see your take on this golden, creamy, perfect puff-topped chicken pie. Snap a pic and share it on Insta—tag me @steph_cooks_stuff so I can admire your pie crown! 👑 It’s my favourite part of the job, seeing your delicious kitchen wins.
Chicken Pie
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
CHEATS CHICKEN PIE WITH A PUFFY HAT!
This one’s my ultimate lazy pie hack! Juicy chicken stew, chunky veg, creamy sauce and instead of fussing with a full pie crust—we pop a puff pastry hat on top! It’s cosy, it’s comforting, and it’s the easiest pie you’ll ever make. Perfect for when you want something hearty without the hassle.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 tbsp chicken stock powder
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery sticks, diced
- 2 onions, diced
- 4 medium potatoes, diced
- 1 tbsp crushed garlic
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 4 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp chicken stock powder (yep, another one!)
- 1 cup water
- 300ml cream
- Olive oil
- 1 piece of puff pastry
- Milk
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Mix flour and 1 tbsp stock powder in a bowl. Coat chicken thighs on both sides in the flour mix. Heat olive oil in a large pan and brown the chicken on both sides. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, toss in your carrots, celery, onions, and garlic. Cook until starting to soften – about 5 minutes.
- Add thyme, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste and the second spoon of stock powder. Give it a stir until it smells fab!
- Pour in water and cream, then mix through the potatoes. Nestle the browned chicken back in, pop a lid on and simmer for 15–20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
- While it simmers, cut your pastry into 4 squares. Place on a lined tray, brush with milk, sprinkle with salt, pepper and sesame seeds if you like.
- Bake at 200°C for 20 minutes or until puffed and golden.
- Spoon your creamy chicken mix into bowls and top each one with a golden pastry lid. Pie night just got way easier!
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 60
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Australian
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Make the filling a day or two in advance and just reheat while you bake the pastry. Great for meal prep or entertaining.
Whatever you’ve got! Frozen peas, corn, green beans or even mushrooms work beautifully. This is the kind of chicken and vegetable pie that’s easy to customise.
Yes! Swap the cream for a dairy-free alternative like coconut cream or oat cream. Still rich and delish.