Chicken and Rice Pot Pie

I turned the leftover white rice from our Chinese take-out into this delicious and unexpected Chicken and Rice Pot Pie.

The recipe is easy to follow, and the crust can be either homemade or store-bought. Winner! Winner!

This chicken pot pie recipe came out of a need to use up the leftover rice I had in my fridge, so I purchased a store-bought rotisserie chicken and whipped up an easy white sauce.

The result is this delicious and easy chicken recipe that nobody would ever guess came from leftovers...especially if you take a minute to add those fun little carrot and pea cut-outs to adorn the top pie crust. Adorable!!

**Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making Easy Chicken and Rice Pot Pie is available at the end of this post. OR Click on the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe.

 

The ingredient list:

• 2 - 9" pie crusts (homemade or store-bought)
• butter
• flour
• chicken broth or stock (homemade or store-bought)
• white rice (I used leftovers)
• chicken (I used rotisserie)
• mixed frozen vegetables
• scallions
• poultry seasoning
• dried thyme leaves
• half and half
• salt and pepper

Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

• pie plate
• baking sheet
• rolling pin
• paring knife
• fork
• saucepan
• wooden spoon or spatula
• measuring cups and spoons
• pie server
• piping tip (optional) for making the peas
• pastry brush
• small bowl

How long does it take to make this easy chicken dinner?

If you're taking the easy route and using store-bought pie dough, the entire process (up until baking) will take approximately 15 - 20 minutes.

If you're using homemade pie dough, you can probably figure on an additional 20 minutes.

Can this pot pie be made in advance and frozen?

Yes! You can either assemble the entire pie and freeze it before baking, or freeze it after it's been baked.

**Note - if freezing the pot pie before baking, DO NOT egg wash the crust until ready to bake.

If freezing after baking, make sure the pie is completely cooled before wrapping and storing in the freezer.

To bake the pot pie from frozen (either baked or unbaked), cover the pie with foil and bake in a preheated 375-degree oven for 90 minutes. Uncover, and continue baking until the crust is golden and the filling is heated through.

How long will this pot pie take to bake if not frozen?

Straight into a 375-degree oven after assembling will take approximately 30-35 minutes.

Since the filling is already cooked, all you're looking to do is cook and brown the pie crust.

The easy step-by-step instructions:

• Make a roux by mixing melted butter and flour together in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Whisk in the chicken broth (or stock) and continue cooking until the mixture thickens. 
• Season with salt and pepper.

• Add the poultry seasoning and the dried thyme leaves.
• Whisk until smooth.
• Stir in the leftover rice, half and half, leftover chicken, and vegetables.

• Add in some chopped scallions.
• Stir well and heat through.
• Spoon the filling into a pie plate that already has the bottom crust in place.

• Add the top pie crust to cover the filling and trim, crimp (or fork) the edges to close.
• Use a paring knife to add steam vents to the top crust.
• Use the crust scraps and a paring knife to cut out the decorative carrot and pea shapes to adorn the top crust (if desired).
• **Note - a piping tip works great to cut out the small round peas.
• You can affix the shapes to the pie dough by using a small dab of water and pressing lightly.
• Use a paring knife to add the lines to the carrots, and to make the carrot tops.
• Make an egg wash by whisking 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water and gently brush over the entire surface of the pot pie before baking.

Need a great pie crust recipe?

For an amazing pie crust recipe, I used this one from Sally's Baking Addiction.

Or what about this one from Kate McDermott, author of the cookbook Art of Pie.

Is a cute embellished crust really necessary?

No, of course not.

But, if you have a little extra time on your hands, why not fancy it up just a wee little bit, and charm your family with this simple to recreate pie crust design?

Want more budget-friendly family dinner recipes?

*Fast Friendly French Spaghetti (pictured below)

Fast Friendly French Spaghetti has a rich, slow-cooked flavor but only takes minutes to prepare thanks to store-bought rotisserie chicken.

*Turkey Taco Stuffed Avocados (pictured below)

Healthy Turkey Taco Stuffed Avocados couldn’t be easier. With only a few simple ingredients and spices (most of them you probably already have in your cabinet) this delicious, low carb meal will on the table in a matter of minutes.

*Slow-Cooker Chili Mac (pictured below)

This budget-friendly and hearty ground beef dinner recipe will please the entire family with its big bold flavors, and lots and lots of melted cheese! 

*Chicken and Rice Pot Pie (pictured below) THIS IS THE PLACE!!

Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today's easy comfort food, budget-dinner dinner.

Printable Recipe Card

I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's easy dinner recipe for Chicken and Rice Pot Pie as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!