Get ready to meet your new favorite comfort food twist: Chicken Pot Pie Pasta! This dish takes everything you love about classic chicken pot pie—the creamy sauce, tender chicken, cozy veggies, and golden puff pastry top—and combines it with the unbeatable satisfaction of pasta. It’s creamy, hearty, and irresistibly delicious, yet super simple to pull off. Perfect for a busy weeknight or a lazy Sunday dinner, this recipe delivers big flavor without demanding hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Cozy Comfort in Every Bite: Creamy sauce, tender pasta, flaky pastry—it’s like a warm hug in a baking dish.
- Weeknight-Friendly: You can pull this together in just about an hour, and most of it is hands-off baking time.
- Kid-Approved and Crowd-Pleasing: The familiar flavors of chicken pot pie combined with pasta make this a guaranteed hit.
- Versatile Ingredients: Use what you have on hand—rotisserie chicken, frozen veggies, leftover roast chicken, it all works.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to bring this creamy, golden, bubbly masterpiece to life:
- Penne Pasta: Holds up perfectly in the creamy sauce and gives the dish a comforting chew.
- Unsalted Butter: For sautéing and building a rich base flavor.
- Onion, Carrots, and Celery: The classic mirepoix trio—don’t skip these! They create the signature pot pie flavor.
- Garlic: Adds depth and aroma—fresh is best.
- All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the creamy sauce so it coats the pasta beautifully.
- Chicken Broth: Gives the dish savory depth and richness.
- Milk: For creamy smoothness—whole milk works best for richness.
- Cooked Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver here, but any leftover cooked chicken works.
- Frozen Peas: Adds sweetness and a pop of color—no need to thaw.
- Dried Thyme: A classic herb that brings that unmistakable pot pie aroma.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning—adjust to taste.
- Puff Pastry Sheet: The golden, flaky crown—store-bought works perfectly.
- Egg (for egg wash): Helps give the puff pastry that gorgeous, bakery-style shine.
Variations
Looking to shake things up? Here are a few fun twists:
- Add Mushrooms: For extra umami and richness.
- Go Vegetarian: Skip the chicken and use chickpeas or sautéed mushrooms for a meatless version.
- Cheesy Upgrade: Stir in some shredded cheddar or parmesan for extra indulgence.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of chili flakes or a splash of hot sauce for a kick.
- Crustless Option: Don’t want puff pastry? Just serve the pasta as-is or top with breadcrumbs and bake.
How to Make Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Boil your penne until just al dente. Drain and set aside—it’ll finish cooking in the oven with all the creamy goodness.
Step 2: Sauté the Veggies
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce
Sprinkle the flour over the veggie mix and stir to coat. Let it cook for a minute or two to eliminate the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk, stirring until smooth. Simmer until the sauce thickens—it should coat the back of a spoon.
Step 4: Add Chicken and Veggies
Stir in the cooked chicken, frozen peas, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let it bubble for a few minutes so everything is well combined.
Step 5: Combine with Pasta
Add the cooked penne to the skillet and gently fold it into the sauce until evenly coated.
Step 6: Transfer and Top
Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Roll out the puff pastry and lay it over the top. Trim the edges if needed and tuck them in slightly.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Brush the pastry with beaten egg and bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden and the filling is bubbly.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before digging in—this helps the sauce settle and makes serving easier.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: It’s a huge time-saver and adds great flavor.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: It will finish cooking in the oven, so keep it slightly underdone when boiling.
- Thicken the Sauce Properly: Take your time simmering the sauce to ensure it thickens before adding the pasta.
- Defrost the Puff Pastry: Let it thaw in the fridge ahead of time so it’s easy to handle and doesn’t tear.
- Egg Wash is Key: It gives that golden, glossy crust that makes this dish feel extra special.
How to Serve
This dish is rich and filling all on its own, but here are a few ideas to round it out:
Garnishes:
Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or thyme just before serving for a pop of freshness.
Side Dish:
Serve with a simple green salad or steamed green beans for balance.
Bread on the Side:
If you’re feeling extra indulgent, a slice of crusty bread or a warm roll is perfect for scooping up every bit of sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked dish (let it cool completely first) or freeze it unbaked without the egg wash. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating
To reheat, bake covered at 350°F until hot all the way through. You can also microwave individual portions, but the puff pastry is best when re-crisped in the oven or toaster oven.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely. Short pastas like rotini, fusilli, or shells all work well. Just make sure they’re cooked al dente so they don’t get mushy when baked.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble everything except the puff pastry topping, cover, and refrigerate up to a day in advance. When you’re ready to bake, top with the pastry, brush with egg, and bake as directed.
What if I don’t have puff pastry?
No problem. You can use pie dough or even biscuit dough on top. Or skip the crust entirely and sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs and a little melted butter for a crunchy topping.
Can I add cheese to the filling?
Yes! A handful of shredded cheddar or parmesan stirred into the sauce adds a lovely cheesy richness. Just be sure it’s fully melted before baking.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Pot Pie Pasta is comfort food at its finest—familiar, satisfying, and just a little bit fancy thanks to that golden puff pastry crown. It’s the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out and leaves everyone at the table asking for seconds. So grab that baking dish and give it a go—you’re going to love every creamy, flaky, cozy bite.
PrintChicken Pot Pie Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Description
A cozy, creamy comfort dish that combines the flavors of a classic chicken pot pie with hearty penne pasta and a golden puff pastry crust.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 cups cooked chicken (e.g., rotisserie), shredded or chopped
- 1 cup frozen peas (no need to thaw)
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the penne pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; cook for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir well. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk, stirring until smooth. Simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Add cooked chicken, frozen peas, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir and let bubble for a few minutes.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce and gently combine.
- Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with puff pastry, trimming edges if needed and tucking in slightly.
- Brush puff pastry with beaten egg.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden and the filling is bubbly.
- Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience and flavor.
- Don’t overcook the pasta; it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Thoroughly thicken the sauce before adding pasta to avoid sogginess.
- Defrost puff pastry in the fridge in advance.
- Optional: Stir in shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese for a cheesy twist.
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