In summary: There are two ways to reheat chicken pot pie: an oven or an air fryer. Both methods involve heating the pie until it is warm and crispy, covering the edges with foil to prevent burning.
Chicken pot pie is a combination of chicken, vegetables, sauce, and altogether, it is a pie.
We know for sure that this dish can be a real soggy mess when you try to reheat it, especially if you put a generous amount of stuffing. Everything will be soft, gooey, and not at all crunchy.
Warming up chicken pot pie will never give the same flavor and texture you had in the beginning.
Unfortunately, there is no way to achieve this one hundred percent. But, if you use a few tricks, you can reheat the dish to be quite decent and taste good.
Reheating Chicken Pot Pie In The Oven
If you want to reheat a delicious chicken pot pie, always opt for an oven. It is simply the best way to achieve results as close as possible to the original taste in the beginning.
We know that the oven is not the most practical when you are in a hurry, and even if you have fewer pieces of pie, it is not the most cost-effective, but it will certainly give the finest results.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven to 300 °F
The key to good heating of the chicken pot pie is to heat it at a medium-high temperature. It is important that the interior is heated as much as the exterior of the pie.
If you put it on too high a temperature, the crust will be hot and will start to burn, and the inner stuffing will remain lukewarm. So, set the oven to a moderate 300 degrees, no more than that, and let it heat up.
Step 2: Place the Pie in a Baking Tray and Cover the Edges with Foil
Put the pie in a baking dish. Since you are heating gradually at a medium temperature, you do not need to cut the pie into smaller pieces before heating.
The interior will undoubtedly heat up nicely. To protect those crispy edges of the pie, cover them with aluminum foil. But cover only the edges, not the whole pie.
Step 3: Bake for 20 Minutes on a Given Temperature
Put the chicken pot pie in the oven and let it bake for 20 minutes. The goal is to heat the entire inner filling well and evenly, not to keep it lukewarm.
It takes another 10 minutes to get it all done, but now you’re going to boost the temperature a bit to get that crunchy brown-gold-colored crust.
Step 4: Increase the Temperature to 375 °F
To get that beautiful crispy finish, you need to increase the temperature a bit. Now, set the oven to 375 degrees F and let the pie bake for an additional 10 minutes.
During these 10 minutes, keep an eye on the pie so that the crust does not accidentally start to burn.
If you notice that the fine brown gold color has appeared earlier, take the pie out of the oven even before the 10 minutes have elapsed. Now your pie is fully heated and ready to be served.
Warming Up Chicken Pot Pie In An Air Fryer
Probably the only better way to reheat leftover pot pie is with an air fryer if you have one at home. This will certainly be a faster method than the classic oven, and the pie will dry out nicely, warm up and not be muggy.
In addition, it is a much more economical way if you only have one slice of pie, which is why it is often not worth spending energy on a classic or toaster oven. Here are the simple steps you need to take.
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer to 350 °F
The first step is to turn on the appliance to heat it up. It won’t take long, but it will be plenty of time to prepare the tasty chicken pot pie to heat up.
Turn on the air fryer to 350 degrees and let it heat up thoroughly.
Step 2: Place the Pie in a Fryer Basket
All you have to do is put the refrigerated chicken pot pie pieces in the basket. If you have frozen chicken pot pie, let it thaw entirely first, then reheat it. If you want to avoid subsequent cleaning, feel free to line the bottom with aluminum foil or parchment paper to keep everything tidy.
If you have several pieces of pie, we suggest that you stack them in only one layer so that there is a little space between each piece. This way, the hot air will dry and heat all the pieces better.
It is also recommended that you have smaller slices because they will dry out better that way. Large pieces may remain soggy in the middle.
If you have too many slices to fit at once, distribute the heating over several rounds.
Step 3: Cook for 10 Minutes
The cooking time will be between 8 and 10 minutes. It depends on how big and well-stuffed the pieces of the pie you have. Of course, a thicker and creamier chicken pie may require a few minutes more than thinner pieces.
If you are not sure how long it will take, turn on the machine for 8 minutes, then take it out and check if the center of the pie is heated, and if necessary, turn it back on for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
You can also use a food thermometer for better orientation. By all means, the internal temperature should be 165 degrees when the pie is fully heated. The pie crust should be just perfect. Serve your hot chicken pot pie immediately.
FAQs
Can I reheat chicken pot pie in a microwave?
If you are really in a hurry, you can use a microwave oven to heat up the leftover chicken pot pie. In fact, in that case, you don’t have much choice. But don’t expect the crust to be crispy because the microwave will soften it for sure.
What we definitely suggest for you to do is cut the pie into smaller pieces. Otherwise, the inner filling will remain almost completely cold, while the outer part will be hot.
How long can chicken pot pie last in the fridge?
Try to store food in the refrigerator as soon as possible after preparation. And be sure to cover the bowl with foil to retain its flavor and prevent spoilage. Properly-stored chicken pot pies will last in the refrigerator between 3 and 4 days, maximum.
Always, however, check the correctness of the food before consuming it. If something smells weird or mold appears, be sure to throw the food in the trash and don’t risk food poisoning.
Can I freeze cooked chicken pot pie?
Yes, you can freeze cooked chicken pot pie, and it will last for a few months in a freezer. But do so only if you have freshly prepared chicken pot pie yourself. If you bought a frozen ready-made meal, thawed it, and reheated it, do not refreeze it. It is not good to freeze any food several times. Remember that frozen pie should be thawed before reheating.
How long is leftover chicken pot pie good for?
Leftover chicken pot pie can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure it is promptly refrigerated after the initial serving, and use your judgment to assess its quality before consuming it within the recommended timeframe.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, the only methods that really work for reheating chicken pot pie leftovers are the air fryer and the oven. That is if you want a beautiful creamy heated inside and a fine crispy crust on the outside.
There are other methods, such as a microwave, but it will not give nearly as good a result as in the oven. Therefore, if you plan to reheat leftover chicken pot pie, take enough time for this process.
With an oven, altogether it will take you about 40 minutes to reheat the dish, but you will surely get the tastiest possible result. Using an air fryer will cut that time significantly. Don’t forget to check these delicious sides for chicken pot pie that you can try.
Tanja is great lover of healthy eating and lifestyle, she has been editing TV series about nutrition and health for years. She also engaged in food production in the family business, mainly focused on fruit processing without destroying vitamins and minerals. She believes that quality nutrition is one of the key ingredients of a happy and healthy life.
