Everyone loves a rich and delicious chicken pot pie with a buttery flaky crust. With its hearty chicken and vegetable mixture, creamy sauce, and buttery crust, this savory pie is the ultimate comfort food. On cold days, it’s the perfect warm and filling meal. It’s also a crowd-pleaser at a dinner party or potluck, or it’s just great for a simple family dinner. Everyone will want more.
Another good thing is that there are many simple and tasty recipes you can use to make this hearty home-cooked meal quickly. If you’re looking for a great recipe, this easy chicken pot pie is one of our favorites.
When it comes to the leftovers, your pot pie can be just as delicious the next day. There are many ways to reheat chicken pot pie that has already been made, and some work better than others. The trick is to maintain the flaky texture of the crust while ensuring that the inside stays moist and creamy. We don’t want a soggy crust. Here, we’ll break down all your options for reheating a chicken pot pie and give you the simple steps for each method, so you can find the best way for you. Follow these steps and your pie will taste so good the next day that you’ll look forward to your leftovers.
Try any one of these reheating methods to get your leftover pie to still be the most tasty chicken pot pie.
Note: the methods described below are for a refrigerated chicken pot pie. If you’re heating a frozen chicken pot pie, you’ll need to increase the cooking times.
This is one of our favorite methods by far. To be honest, we love just about anything cooked in the air fryer, but it’s particularly good for chicken pot pie. Nobody wants a soggy mess of a pie crust, and this method helps to keep your crust perfectly crisp and flaky, plus it’s quicker than the oven method, which is a huge plus when you need to get dinner on the table fast.
If you don’t have an air fryer, don’t worry. The oven will produce the same delicious crispy crust and creamy filling that makes it taste just as good as when it was first baked. The downside of using the oven is that it may take a bit longer than the air fryer, but it’s great for larger chicken pot pies that may not fit easily into all air fryers.
The advantage of the microwave method is that it’s the quickest way to reheat your pie, so if you need to get your leftovers ready in a rush, this is the method for you. Unlike the oven and air fryer, the microwave isn’t great for getting your crust nice and crispy, so if you’ve got some extra time, I’d recommend one of the other methods.
And if you want the best of both worlds, you can always heat it in the microwave until it’s warmed throughout, then put it in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes to help crisp up the crust.
Did you know that you can reheat your chicken pot pie in a frying pan on the stove top? This might not be the first method that comes to mind when you think of reheating leftovers, but it works great and has several advantages. It gets you a crispy crust like the oven and air fryer methods, but is super quick like the microwave method. This method does tend to work better with smaller pies, so if yours is a large pie, this might not be the ideal method for you.
Also, you’ll need to watch it carefully, because you could easily burn the pie crust if you don’t keep a close eye on it. But if you got a mini pot pie or a slice of a whole pie, and you want the fastest way to a crispy crust, give this method a try.
There’s nothing quite as comforting as a homemade chicken pot pie with its flaky crust and creamy filling. But what happens when you can’t finish it all in one sitting? Reheating chicken pot pie can be tricky – nobody wants a soggy crust or unevenly heated filling. I’ve compiled the best methods from multiple sources to help you enjoy your leftover pot pie just as much as when it was freshly baked.
Best Methods to Reheat Chicken Pot Pie
Based on expert recommendations. there are four main ways to reheat chicken pot pie
- Oven (most recommended)
- Air fryer (fast and crispy)
- Microwave (quickest option)
- Stovetop (good for small portions)
Let’s dive into each method with detailed instructions!
1. Reheating Chicken Pot Pie in the Oven
The oven is consistently mentioned as the best method for reheating chicken pot pie It ensures even heating and helps maintain that perfectly flaky crust.
Oven Method Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350-375°F (175-190°C)
- Remove the pot pie from the refrigerator and discard any wrapping
- Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any potential drips
- Cover the edges with foil to prevent burning (optional but recommended)
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the filling is hot and the crust is golden brown
- Optional step: For the last 5-10 minutes, remove the foil to allow the crust to brown nicely
- Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving
For a refrigerated whole pie, expect about 30 minutes of heating time. If you’re reheating just a slice, 15-20 minutes might be sufficient.
2. Reheating Chicken Pot Pie in an Air Fryer
The air fryer method is gaining popularity because it’s faster than the oven while still producing a crispy crust.
Air Fryer Method Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C)
- Place the pot pie in the air fryer basket
- Cook for 8-12 minutes until heated through
- Check periodically to ensure it doesn’t burn
- Optional: Cover with foil if the crust starts browning too quickly
- Let it cool slightly before serving
For smaller portions or single slices, this method works especially well. The air circulation helps create that perfect crispy exterior.
3. Reheating Chicken Pot Pie in the Microwave
While not the ideal method for maintaining crust texture, the microwave is by far the quickest option when you’re short on time.
Microwave Method Instructions:
- Remove any metal or foil components from the pie
- Place on a microwave-safe plate
- Poke several holes in the top crust to allow steam to escape
- Cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel
- Heat on high for 3-4 minutes (timing will vary based on your microwave)
- Check the center to ensure it’s heated through
- If needed, continue heating in 1-minute intervals
Keep in mind that microwave reheating will likely result in a softer, less crispy crust. If you have a few extra minutes, consider starting in the microwave and finishing in the oven or air fryer for better texture.
4. Stovetop/Skillet Method
The stovetop method works well for single slices and creates a nice crispy bottom.
Stovetop Method Instructions:
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat
- Place the pot pie slice in the pan
- Heat for 3-5 minutes on one side
- Flip carefully and heat the other side
- Continue until thoroughly heated
- Serve immediately
This method requires more attention to prevent burning, but it can produce excellent results for smaller portions.
Pro Tips for Perfect Reheated Chicken Pot Pie
No matter which method you choose, these tips will help you achieve the best results:
- Add moisture if needed: If your filling seems dry, add a splash of chicken broth or gravy before reheating
- Check internal temperature: The filling should reach 165°F (74°C) for food safety
- Don’t reheat more than once: For food safety reasons, only reheat pot pie once
- Store properly: Refrigerate leftover pot pie within 2 hours of cooking
- Refrigeration time limit: Consume refrigerated pot pie within 3-4 days
- Freezing option: Freeze pot pie for longer storage (up to 2-3 months)
FAQ About Reheating Chicken Pot Pie
How long can chicken pot pie last in the fridge?
Properly stored chicken pot pie will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Can I freeze cooked chicken pot pie? Yes, but only pot pie that has just been made. You can’t freeze pot pie that has already been frozen and reheated.
Yes, you can reheat a frozen chicken pot pie without letting it thaw first, but the cooking time will need to be longer. To reheat in the oven, bake at 375°F for 30 to 40 minutes with the foil on top, and then for 5 to 10 minutes without the foil.
Why is my reheated chicken pot pie soggy?
This usually happens when using a microwave or if the pot pie wasn’t properly covered during reheating. The oven or air fryer methods produce the crispiest results.
Can I reheat just a slice of chicken pot pie?
Absolutely! Single slices work well in all methods, especially the air fryer and stovetop methods.
Conclusion
While there are several ways to reheat chicken pot pie, the oven remains the gold standard for achieving that perfect balance of crispy crust and piping hot filling. The air fryer is a fantastic alternative if you’re looking for quicker results. No matter which method you choose, following these guidelines will help ensure your leftover chicken pot pie tastes almost as good as when it was freshly baked!
Remember that the best way to reheat food is the one that works best for you in terms of time and equipment. Do not be afraid to try mixing methods (for example, starting in the microwave and finishing in the oven) to find the best result for your personal tastes.
Happy reheating!
Stove Top Skillet Method
- Heat a non-stick frying pan on medium to medium-high heat.
- Put the chicken pot pie in the pan and heat it up for three to five minutes. Take care not to overcook the crust.
- The pie should be turned over and heated until it’s fully cooked.
- Remove from the heat and serve immediately.
The toaster oven method is pretty much the same as the regular oven method, but we’re including it here because sometimes, especially in the summer, you don’t want to heat up the big oven. The toaster oven produces the same great results, and it’s so simple. You don’t even need to cover the pie before heating – just place it in the preheated toaster oven and you’re good to go!.
- Preheat your toaster oven. About 380 to 400 degrees is where this works best for us.
- Cut a few small holes in the top of your chicken pot pie crust to let the steam out.
- In the middle of your toaster oven, put the pie on a baking sheet.
- Let the pie cool for two to three minutes after baking for thirty to thirty-five minutes.
Since it’s already been fully cooked, you don’t need to worry about the internal temperature of the pie.
Who knew there were so many possibilities for heating up your leftovers? With all these great options, you’re sure to find the best method for you! Go ahead and make that big chicken pot pie, and don’t worry about trying to finish it all at once. The flaky golden crust and creamy, hearty filling will still taste great the next day, or even a few days later! We like to make two of our classic chicken pot pie so we can eat one and freeze the other to reheat later.
You could also make our chicken pot pie in a crock pot to keep it hot until you’re ready to eat. It’s an easy version that tastes amazing.
And if you’re starting to get hungry from all this chicken pot pie talk, you’re not alone. So let’s get baking – the perfect hearty and delicious pot pie dinner awaits.