Chicken and Mushroom Pot Pies

TipHow to Store Chicken

Raw or cooked chicken can be stored in a refrigerator for a few days, though it’s important to prevent raw chicken juices from leaking and contaminating other foods. Ensure that chicken remains in its original packaging (which should be vacuum-sealed or tightly-wrapped) until it is ready to be cooked.

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TipHow to Freeze Chicken

While freezing will make your chicken less tender and juicy, it is the perfect way to store the family-sized pack you bought at Costco last weekend. Remove the chicken from its original packaging and rewrap it tightly using aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or freezer paper. Double wrap if you are planning to store the chicken for more than two months. Ground chicken can last up to three months in the freezer, while chicken pieces can last up to nine.

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Next: How to Thaw Chicken

TipHow to Thaw Chicken

You should never thaw chicken at room temperature, as it is highly susceptible to bacteria growth. Frozen chicken should either be thawed in the microwave, in the refrigerator, or in cold water (which should be changed every 30 minutes).

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Next: How to Store Chicken

Chicken pot pies are the homiest and most comforting of lunch or supper entrées. Here, we’ve combined plump pieces of juicy poached chicken with cremini mushrooms, leeks, carrots, and peas, and baked them under a flaky, buttery pastry lid. Serve with something simple and tangy, like this Butter Lettuce and Pumpkin Seed Salad. Game plan: You can make the dough and refrigerate it for up to 1 day, or store it in the freezer for up to a month (transfer it to the fridge for thawing the day before you plan to make the pot pies). Chicken and mushroom make a great pairing—try also our chicken mushroom pasta recipe. For more pot pie inspiration, check out our turkey pot pie recipe or tomato pie recipe.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) very cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 8 tablespoons ice water, plus more if needed
• 4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs or 2 bone-in, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total)
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 1 large leek, trimmed, quartered lengthwise, and sliced
• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Kosher salt, to taste
• 1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the work surface
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 large egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon warm water

Instructions:

1. In the bowl of a food processor, stir together the flour and salt. Sprinkle the butter over the top and pulse for a few seconds, or just until the butter is slightly broken up into the flour but still in visible pieces. Evenly sprinkle the water over the flour mixture, then process just until the mixture starts to come together. If the dough looks too dry, add 1 or 2 additional tablespoons of water.
2. Dump the dough onto a work surface, press it together, then divide it in half. Press each half into a disk, then place the disks in a large zipper-top plastic bag. Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes or as long as 1 day.
3. In a saucepan over medium heat, poach the chicken in gently simmering water until opaque, about 15 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a cutting board. Let cool slightly, then shred the meat, discarding the bones and any bits of gristle and fat. You should have 3 cups of meat. Set aside.
4. Heat the oven to 400°F. In a large, wide saucepan, cook the carrots and leeks in 1 tablespoon of the butter and the olive oil with a sprinkle of salt, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are crisp-tender, about 15 minutes. Scrape into a bowl. Melt another 1 tablespoon butter then add the mushrooms. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 10 minutes. Add to the carrot mixture. Set aside.
5. Melt the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter in the saucepan. Sprinkle the flour over the top and whisk in. Cook for a few minutes until bubbly. Slowly add the chicken stock, whisking constantly until smooth. Whisk in the milk.
6. Add the reserved chicken, carrots, leeks, mushrooms, and peas and thyme to the sauce. Stir to combine. Taste for salt and add more if necessary. Season with black pepper. Set aside.
7. Have ready 4 fairly deep, 1-1/2-cup ramekins or baking dishes. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough to a large rectangle about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out 4 circles that are 1/2 to 1 inch larger than the circumference of your ramekins or baking dishes. You will have leftover dough; press the scraps together and save them for another use in a plastic freezer bag (they can be frozen for up to 3 months).
8. Divide the filling among the ramekins and top with the pie dough. Tuck the edges of the pie dough underneath and fit the dough just inside the ramekin. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet. Cut a few slashes in each crust for steam to escape during baking. Brush the egg and water mixture on the dough. Bake until bubbly and the pastry is brown and cooked through, about 40 minutes.
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