The Ultimate Guide to Heating Up Chicken Pot Pie: 4 Methods Tested and Compared

Leftover chicken pot pie sitting in your fridge? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! As someone who’s accidentally made way too many pot pies (and had to reheat them countless times), I’ve tested multiple methods to find the absolute best way to bring back that perfect combination of flaky crust and creamy filling In this guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about how to heat up chicken pot pie properly

Why Reheating Chicken Pot Pie Can Be Tricky

It’s hard to reheat chicken pot pie because you’re trying to do two things that are at odds with each other.

1. Warming the thick, creamy filling all the way through
2. Keeping the pastry crust flaky and crisp (not soggy!)

Don’t worry—I’ve tried several quick reheating methods so you don’t have to! Most of them will either leave you with a burnt crust and cold filling or a perfectly warmed filling with soggy, sad pastry.

Method 1: Reheating Chicken Pot Pie in the Oven (Best Overall Method)

After trying a few different methods, the oven method always gives the best results. Here’s how to do it:

Step-by-Step Oven Method

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C)
2. Place your pie or slice in an oven-safe dish
3. Cover the pastry with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning
4. For slices: heat for 10-15 minutes
5. For whole pies: heat for 30-40 minutes
6. Optional crisp-up step: Remove foil for the last few minutes and increase heat to 400°F (200°C) or turn on the broiler briefly

Pro Tips for Oven Reheating

• Let your pot pie come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes before reheating (but don’t leave it out longer than 2 hours!)
• To check if your pie is warm in the center, insert a knife into the middle and feel if it’s warm when you pull it out
• For pies with sturdy crusts, place on a wire rack to prevent soggy bottoms
• To speed up reheating, microwave the pie for 30-60 seconds before placing in the oven

Results

This method earns a solid 9/10 rating. The crust stays golden and crispy while the filling remains moist and flavorful. Yes, it takes longer than other methods, but the results are totally worth it if you have the time.

Method 2: Reheating Chicken Pot Pie in the Microwave (Fastest Method)

When you’re in a rush and just need to heat something quickly, the microwave can work in a pinch.

Step-by-Step Microwave Method

1. Place a slice of pot pie on a microwave-safe plate
2. Heat on medium-low power for 60 seconds
3. Check the warmth by inserting a knife into the center
4. Continue heating in 30-second intervals until warmed through
5. Let stand for 30 seconds before eating (the filling will be HOT!)

Important Microwave Safety Notes

• NEVER put metal or foil containers in the microwave!
• Heat smaller portions for more even results
• Be careful of steam when taking your first bite

Results

This method scores about 5/10. It’s quick and easy, but the crust gets wet and loses its flaky texture. If you’re in a hurry, microwaved pot pie is fine for yourself, but I wouldn’t serve it to guests.

Method 3: Reheating Chicken Pot Pie in an Air Fryer

Air fryers are fantastic for reheating foods that need to stay crispy, so they work pretty well for pot pies too.

Step-by-Step Air Fryer Method

1. Set your air fryer to 300°F (150°C)
2. If reheating a slice, cover cut edges with small pieces of foil to prevent filling spillage
3. Place the pot pie in the air fryer basket
4. Heat for 3-5 minutes
5. Check that the filling is warmed through before serving

Air Fryer Considerations

• Best for smaller portions or individual pot pies
• The pastry heats up very quickly, but the filling takes longer
• Not suitable for large pot pies since the crust may burn before the center warms

Results

This method scores about 7/10. The pastry gets nice and crispy, but there’s a risk of overcooking the crust if you need more time to heat the filling thoroughly. It’s convenient and quick when reheating smaller portions.

Method 4: Reheating Chicken Pot Pie on the Stovetop

This is probably the least common method, but it can work in certain situations.

Step-by-Step Stovetop Method

1. Place a skillet over medium heat
2. If not using a non-stick pan, lightly coat with cooking spray
3. Place your slice of pot pie in the pan
4. Cover with a lid to trap heat
5. Warm for about 5 minutes or until heated through to the center

Important Stovetop Considerations

• This method only works well for pies that are fully encased in pastry (not just topped)
• Better for smaller portions or individual pot pies
• Keep a close eye to ensure filling doesn’t spill out and burn

Results

This method rates about 4/10. It’s not ideal for most pot pies as the filling tends to spill out into the pan. This approach works better for sturdier pies like apple or pumpkin, not chicken pot pie with its creamy filling.

Storing Leftover Chicken Pot Pie Properly

Before we talk about reheating, let’s cover proper storage, which affects how well your pot pie reheats:

Refrigerator Storage (3-5 days)

• Allow pie to cool completely to room temperature first
• Store in its original baking dish, tightly covered with foil or plastic wrap
• Alternatively, transfer to airtight containers
• Consider pre-slicing for easier reheating of individual portions

Freezer Storage (up to 6 months)

1. Cool completely to room temperature
2. Place in freezer (in baking dish) uncovered for 2-3 hours until solid
3. Once frozen, wrap tightly in 2 layers of foil or plastic wrap
4. For pre-sliced pies: wrap individual slices in plastic wrap followed by foil
5. Label with date and use within 6 months

Reheating Frozen Chicken Pot Pie

Got a frozen pot pie? No need to thaw it first!

How to Reheat Frozen Pot Pie

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
2. Cover frozen pie with foil
3. Heat for about 30 minutes
4. Lower temperature to 325°F (160°C)
5. Continue heating until piping hot throughout
6. For crispy crust, remove foil for the last 10 minutes

Quick Comparison Table of Reheating Methods

What to Serve with Reheated Chicken Pot Pie

Looking to make your reheated pot pie into a complete meal? Try serving it with:

• Fresh green salad
• Roasted vegetables
• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Potato salad
• Corn on the cob

Final Thoughts on Reheating Chicken Pot Pie

After testing all these methods, I can confidently say that the oven method produces the best results by far. While it takes a bit longer, the combination of evenly heated filling and crispy crust is unbeatable. The air fryer comes in as a good second choice when you’re in a hurry but still want crispy results.

The microwave works in a pinch when you’re starving and need food ASAP, but accept that the crust won’t be crispy. And the stovetop method? Well, let’s just say I won’t be using that one again for chicken pot pie!

Remember, good things come to those who wait – and a properly reheated chicken pot pie is definitely worth waiting for! The key is low and slow heat with protection for that delicate crust.