Warm, savory chicken pot pie is considered one of the most delicious comfort foods for some people. The creamy base has chicken, peas, carrots, onion, and celery in it, and the flaky crust covers it all. It’s the perfect mix of savory and satisfying tastes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, meat pies have been popular since the days of the Roman Empire. Back then, pies had real birds inside them that flew out when the pie was served. While the meat pies today do not contain living fowl, the dish is a meal that many still enjoy for lunch or dinner.
If you want to serve chicken pot pie with something, Insanely Good Recipes says to have corn on the cob, roasted vegetables, mashed sweet potatoes, or potato salad (like creamy dill). The savory pie is also excellent served alone as an entrée.
As far as leftovers go, you may debate which reheating method to use. It is tricky to reheat chicken pot pie, especially when trying to retain its flaky crust and the moist, gravy-like filling. Weve compiled a list of three methods for reheating chicken pot pie to help you choose which way works best for you to be able to nosh on.
If you have leftover chicken pot pie in the fridge, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! I’ve made way too many pot pies by accident and had to reheat them many times, so I’ve tried many ways to find the best way to get that perfect mix of flaky crust and creamy filling. In this guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about how to heat up chicken pot pie correctly.
Why Reheating Chicken Pot Pie Can Be Tricky
Let’s face it – reheating chicken pot pie is challenging because you’re trying to achieve two contradicting goals
- Warming the thick, creamy filling all the way through
- Keeping the pastry crust flaky and crisp (not soggy!)
Most quick reheating methods will either leave you with a burnt crust and cold filling or a perfectly warmed filling with soggy, sad pastry But don’t worry – I’ve tested multiple methods so you don’t have to!
Method 1: Reheating Chicken Pot Pie in the Oven (Best Overall Method)
After testing multiple approaches, the oven method consistently produces the best results. Here’s how to do it:
Step-by-Step Oven Method
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C)
- Place your pie or slice in an oven-safe dish
- Cover the pastry with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning
- For slices: heat for 10-15 minutes
- For whole pies: heat for 30-40 minutes
- Optional crisp-up step: Remove foil for the last few minutes and increase heat to 400°F (200°C) or turn on the broiler briefly
Pro Tips for Oven Reheating
- Let your pot pie come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes before reheating (but don’t leave it out longer than 2 hours!)
- To check if your pie is warm in the center, insert a knife into the middle and feel if it’s warm when you pull it out
- For pies with sturdy crusts, place on a wire rack to prevent soggy bottoms
- To speed up reheating, microwave the pie for 30-60 seconds before placing in the oven
Results
This method earns a solid 9/10 rating. The crust stays golden and crispy while the filling remains moist and flavorful. Yes, it takes longer than other methods, but the results are totally worth it if you have the time.
Method 2: Reheating Chicken Pot Pie in the Microwave (Fastest Method)
If you need to heat something up quickly and are in a hurry, the microwave can help.
Step-by-Step Microwave Method
- Place a slice of pot pie on a microwave-safe plate
- Heat on medium-low power for 60 seconds
- Check the warmth by inserting a knife into the center
- Continue heating in 30-second intervals until warmed through
- Let stand for 30 seconds before eating (the filling will be HOT!)
Important Microwave Safety Notes
- NEVER put metal or foil containers in the microwave!
- Heat smaller portions for more even results
- Be careful of steam when taking your first bite
Results
This method scores about 5/10. It’s quick and convenient, but the crust becomes soggy and loses its flaky texture. It’s fine for personal consumption when you’re in a hurry, but I wouldn’t serve microwaved pot pie to guests.
Method 3: Reheating Chicken Pot Pie in an Air Fryer
If you want to reheat foods that need to stay crispy, air fryers are great for you. They also work pretty well for pot pies.
Step-by-Step Air Fryer Method
- Set your air fryer to 300°F (150°C)
- If reheating a slice, cover cut edges with small pieces of foil to prevent filling spillage
- Place the pot pie in the air fryer basket
- Heat for 3-5 minutes
- Check that the filling is warmed through before serving
Air Fryer Considerations
- Best for smaller portions or individual pot pies
- The pastry heats up very quickly, but the filling takes longer
- Not suitable for large pot pies since the crust may burn before the center warms
Results
This method scores about 7/10. The pastry gets nice and crispy, but the crust could get too done if the filling needs more time to heat through. It’s convenient and quick when reheating smaller portions.
Method 4: Reheating Chicken Pot Pie on the Stovetop
This is probably the least common method, but it can work in certain situations.
Step-by-Step Stovetop Method
- Place a skillet over medium heat
- If not using a non-stick pan, lightly coat with cooking spray
- Place your slice of pot pie in the pan
- Cover with a lid to trap heat
- Warm for about 5 minutes or until heated through to the center
Important Stovetop Considerations
- This method only works well for pies that are fully encased in pastry (not just topped)
- Better for smaller portions or individual pot pies
- Keep a close eye to ensure filling doesn’t spill out and burn
Results
This method rates about 4/10. It’s not ideal for most pot pies as the filling tends to spill out into the pan. This approach works better for sturdier pies like apple or pumpkin, not chicken pot pie with its creamy filling.
Storing Leftover Chicken Pot Pie Properly
Before we talk about reheating, let’s cover proper storage, which affects how well your pot pie reheats:
Refrigerator Storage (3-5 days)
- Allow pie to cool completely to room temperature first
- Store in its original baking dish, tightly covered with foil or plastic wrap
- Alternatively, transfer to airtight containers
- Consider pre-slicing for easier reheating of individual portions
Freezer Storage (up to 6 months)
- Cool completely to room temperature
- Place in freezer (in baking dish) uncovered for 2-3 hours until solid
- Once frozen, wrap tightly in 2 layers of foil or plastic wrap
- For pre-sliced pies: wrap individual slices in plastic wrap followed by foil
- Label with date and use within 6 months
Reheating Frozen Chicken Pot Pie
Got a frozen pot pie? No need to thaw it first!
How to Reheat Frozen Pot Pie
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
- Cover frozen pie with foil
- Heat for about 30 minutes
- Lower temperature to 325°F (160°C)
- Continue heating until piping hot throughout
- For crispy crust, remove foil for the last 10 minutes
Quick Comparison Table of Reheating Methods
| Method | Time | Best For | Pros | Cons | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oven | 10-40 min | Best overall results | Even heating, crispy crust | Takes longest time | 9/10 |
| Microwave | 2-3 min | Quick meals | Super fast | Soggy crust | 5/10 |
| Air Fryer | 3-5 min | Small portions | Crispy crust, quick | May burn crust before filling heats | 7/10 |
| Stovetop | 5 min | Fully-encased pies | No extra equipment needed | Filling can spill, uneven heating | 4/10 |
What to Serve with Reheated Chicken Pot Pie
Looking to make your reheated pot pie into a complete meal? Try serving it with:
- Fresh green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Mashed sweet potatoes
- Potato salad
- Corn on the cob
Final Thoughts on Reheating Chicken Pot Pie
After testing all these methods, I can confidently say that the oven method produces the best results by far. While it takes a bit longer, the combination of evenly heated filling and crispy crust is unbeatable. The air fryer comes in as a good second choice when you’re in a hurry but still want crispy results.
The microwave works in a pinch when you’re starving and need food ASAP, but accept that the crust won’t be crispy. And the stovetop method? Well, let’s just say I won’t be using that one again for chicken pot pie!
Remember, good things come to those who wait – and a properly reheated chicken pot pie is definitely worth waiting for! The key is low and slow heat with protection for that delicate crust.
Reheat in the oven
Our Everyday Life reminds us that chicken pot pie lasts three to five days in the fridge, but that you should make sure that you store it in a covered dish or wrap the pie tightly with plastic wrap. If youd rather freeze it, your will last two to six months in the freezer.
The most ideal way for reheating chicken pot pie is to use the conventional oven method. According to Goddards Pies, begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F, then place the pastry on an oven-safe baking tray. To reduce the chances of burning the delicate, flaky crust, cover it with aluminum foil. Place the chicken pot pie in the hot oven for 20 minutes, then carefully remove the dish after the allotted time. Remove and discard the foil, then return the pie to the oven for a few additional minutes until it is completely warmed. Remove, allow it time to cool, and then serve.
Reheat in the microwave
Another method is to use your microwave. Reheating your chicken pot pie this appliance isnt ideal because the heated dish will not maintain its characteristic flaky crust. However, the microwave is quick so its often the convenient method for reheating. Be mindful not to place a tin foil pan in the microwave. If youre in a hurry, place the chicken pot pie on a microwave-safe plate and set your microwave to the lowest power setting. Cooking Chew says to separate the chicken pot pie into slices and heat each one separately. Each portion should be heated for approximately two minutes. After the allotted time, check the pie filling to ensure it is heated throughout. If it still feels cool, reheat for an additional minute or until it is warmed to your preference. Then enjoy!.
However, if this method isnt the one that you want to choose, there is one other way: on the stovetop.
How Do You Reheat Chicken Pot Pie? – The Midwest Guru
FAQ
How to reheat pie without making it soggy?
Microwave on a low setting, one or 2 above warm. If you want a crispy crust, instead of a soft one, then in the oven, 325F to 350F for about 20 to 25 minutes. Jan 3, 2025.