CHEDDAR CRUSTED CHICKEN POT PIE
I went back to Kansas to go to the Maple Leaf Festival, a big craft show, last October and stayed with my sister. Every night she would try to make something different. She made this Cheddar Crusted Chicken Pot Pie one night and it was so delicious.
The Cheddar Crust is the star. It is cheesy and light and flaky and a perfect accompaniment to the chicken pot pie filling. This is a must try recipe if you like pot pie. It is a great dinner on a cold winter night. The best part, you make it yourself! You will need a deep dish pie dish or you could make it in a square pan or skillet in a pinch.
When I was staying with my sister for a visit last October, she made this for dinner one night. It blew me away! You should really try this one!
CHEDDAR CRUSTED CHICKEN POT PIE
CHEDDAR CRUST:
4 Cups All-Purpose Flour
2 Cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated
2 Sticks Salted Butter, cold
1 Large Egg (for an egg wash for the pie once it is all together)
A splash of Water (for the Egg Wash)
Salt and Pepper to taste
FILLING:
5 Tablespoons Salted Butter
½ Cup Onion, finely diced
3 Carrots, diced
4 Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
1 Tablespoon Fresh Thyme
5 Tablespoons Heavy Cream
Salt & Pepper to Taste
CRUST DIRECTIONS:
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine flour, cheese, butter and a pinch of pepper in a food processor. Pulse a few times to mix. Add 4 Tablespoons of COLD water. Pulse until a dough forms. Divide this equally into two balls. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, broccoli and cook, stirring until the veggies soften, 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the veggies and stir to coat the veggies. Stir in the broth and increase the heat to medium high and bring to a boil. Simmer this, whisking to make sure no flour lumps remain. Continue cooking until slightly thickened and reduced. Stir in chicken, thyme, heavy cream and a pinch of each salt and pepper.
Whisk the egg with a little water and use this to brush on the pot pie crust to make it nice and brown.
Bake the pot pie for 30 to 35 minutes or until the crust is done.
