Costco’s chicken pot pie stands out as one of the warehouse giant’s most popular comfort foods. The secret to its perfect golden-brown crust and creamy filling lies in the cooking technique.
The right cooking instructions make a huge difference when you prepare Costco’s classic chicken pot pie or their other savory varieties. I’ve prepared countless pot pies as a chef, and I’ll show you exactly how to take your Costco pot pie from frozen to perfectly baked.
This detailed guide will give you everything about cooking your Costco pot pie. You’ll discover the right equipment, preparation steps, and solutions to common problems. The guide includes precise temperature settings, timing guidelines, and food safety measures that guarantee delicious results every time you bake.
Costco’s chicken pot pie is a delicious and comforting ready-made meal that many people love. But if you want to save some money and make it at home, this recipe will show you how to recreate the Costco chicken pot pie in your own kitchen
Overview of Costco’s Chicken Pot Pie
For those not familiar with Costco’s famous chicken pot pie. here’s a quick overview
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It’s a classic chicken pot pie with a flaky, golden crust on top and bottom. The filling contains chunks of rotisserie chicken breast as well as potatoes, peas, carrots, corn and onions in a creamy sauce.
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Costco’s chicken pie comes frozen in a foil tin that you simply bake in the oven. It serves 4-6 people and costs around $10.
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The pie is very convenient but also super tasty. The crust is thin and light, and the filling is creamy and full of vegetables. The rotisserie chicken makes it extra flavorful.
Benefits of Making Your Own
While Costco’s chicken pot pie is delicious, there are some perks to making your own at home:
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It’s cheaper. Homemade is usually less expensive than store-bought.
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Control ingredients. You can use higher quality and healthier ingredients.
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Make it your own. Customize it to your tastes by adding different seasonings or vegetables.
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Adjust serving size. Scale the recipe up or down depending on how many you need to serve.
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Fun weekend activity. It can be a fun cooking project for the family.
How to Make Costco-Style Chicken Pot Pie
Do you want to make Costco’s famous pot pie at home? Here are some easy steps you can take:
Ingredients
- 1 rotisserie chicken or 4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 3 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 store-bought pie crusts (or homemade if desired)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F.
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If using a rotisserie chicken, shred the meat off the bones and set aside. If using raw chicken breasts, poach in simmering water for 10-15 minutes until cooked through. Shred or dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
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In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, carrots, celery and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened.
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Add the potatoes and cook 5 more minutes. Stir in the peas, corn, chicken, and flour. Cook for 2-3 more minutes.
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Stir in the chicken broth and milk. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes until thickened to a gravy consistency.
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Season with thyme, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
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Pour filling into a 9-inch pie dish. Cover with top and bottom pie crusts, pressing edges to seal. Cut slits in top crust.
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Bake for 30-40 minutes until crust is golden brown. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
There you have it! With just a few easy steps and ingredients, you can make a chicken pot pie that tastes like it came from Costco in your own home.
Tips for Making It Just Like Costco’s
Get your chicken pot pie to taste as much like the one at Costco as possible by following these steps:
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Use Costco’s rotisserie chicken if you can for the most authentic flavor. Otherwise poach chicken breasts in broth for added flavor.
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Cut the vegetables and chicken into large chunks rather than fine diced pieces.
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Use Russet potatoes which will break down and thicken the filling similar to the Costco pie.
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Make sure the filling has a nice creamy, gravy-like consistency by cooking the flour sufficiently.
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For the crust, use store-bought refrigerated pie crusts rather than homemade for best results. The buttery, flaky crust is one of the signature qualities of Costco’s pot pie.
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Be generous with seasoning. Add dried thyme, salt, pepper and even a dash of nutmeg for extra flavor.
Serving and Storing Leftovers
Costco’s chicken pot pies are meant to serve 4-6 people, so scale your homemade version accordingly. Serve it on its own as a main dish, or with sides like bread, salad or vegetables.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until hot and bubbly. The pie also freezes well for 1-2 months.
Recreating the delicious flavors of Costco’s chicken pot pie is easy to do at home. With a few simple ingredients and some easy cooking steps, you can have a comforting meal the whole family will love. Making it yourself lets you control the ingredients, portions and flavours. Serve it up hot out of the oven for a satisfying homecooked dinner or weekend meal.
Proper storage before cooking
Your uncooked Costco pot pie needs the right storage conditions to stay fresh and safe. You can keep the pot pie in your refrigerator until the “best before” date on the package. The freezer gives you more time to store it.
Here’s how long your uncooked pot pies last:
- Refrigerated: Up to 7 days from packaging date
- If frozen before the sell-by date, it can last up to three to six months.
- Room temperature: No more than 1-2 hours
The right way to handle leftovers lets you enjoy your Costco pot pie for several days after cooking. A cooked pot pie stays good in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Here’s what you need to know about leftovers:
- First Storage: Put leftovers in the fridge within two hours of cooking them.
- Put it in a dish with a lid or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.
- Freezing Option: Keeps well frozen for 2-6 months after cooking
- Reheating Safety: Heat everything back up to 165°F
- Controlling Portion Size: It’s easier to live when you cut food into small pieces before freezing it.
Your oven works best for reheating at 350°F for 20-25 minutes. A foil cover on the edges stops over-browning while the center heats up properly. Individual portions work in the microwave, but your crust might not stay crispy.
Wrap your pot pie that hasn’t been cooked in foil and put it in a freezer bag for the best results. This double protection keeps freezer burn away and maintains quality.
These safety guidelines protect you and your family while you enjoy your Costco pot pie. The right temperature and storage give you both safety and great taste.
The preparation of a Costco pot pie may seem complex initially, but these detailed instructions will make the process simple and rewarding. The right temperature settings, timing guidelines, and safety protocols will help you achieve a golden-brown crust and piping hot filling.
Note that ovens behave differently, so you can make small adjustments to these guidelines while maintaining the significant 165°F internal temperature requirement. Your patience will reward you with a delicious, restaurant-quality pot pie that’s both safe and satisfying.
When you cook for your family or make comfort food, these tips will make sure that your Costco pot pie lives up to your hopes. Keep this piece handy and become skilled at pot pie preparation. This beloved comfort food will soon become your signature dish.
Essential Equipment and Preparation
Getting your Costco pot pie ready is a vital step to achieve perfect results. Let’s get everything ready before we start cooking.
How To Cook Costco Kirkland Signature Chicken Pot Pie
FAQ
What is the sauce made of in chicken pot pie?
Most chicken pot pie gravy is a simple chicken cream gravy. To make it, mix flour and butter to make a roux, then add chicken stock (or broth) and milk (or cream).
How to cook frozen chicken pot pie?
The recommended time to cook a frozen chicken pot pie in the oven is 45-60 minutes at 400°F.
Do you put egg wash on Costco chicken pot pie?
Place the pot pie on a baking sheet or cookie sheet. This will catch any spills and help distribute the heat evenly. Brush a beaten egg on top of the crust for an extra crisp crust (optional).