Last month, Oliver came down with a cold on a Tuesday night. He was miserable, sniffling on the couch wrapped in his favorite blanket, asking for chicken pot pie like his grandma used to make. The problem? I didn't have time to make a whole pot pie from scratch - no crust rolling, no hour of baking, just a tired kid who needed comfort food fast. That's when I threw together this chicken pot pie pasta for the first time. I took everything he loves about pot pie - that creamy sauce, the chicken, peas and carrots - and tossed it with pasta instead of baking it in a crust. Thirty minutes later, I handed him a bowl of steaming, creamy pasta.
Why You'll Love This Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
This Chicken Pot Pie Pasta on busy weeknights, when we had unexpected guests, and when I needed comfort food in a hurry. Here's why it works every time: The sauce is thick and creamy without being heavy, coating the pasta and vegetables in every bite. Using rotisserie chicken cuts the cooking time in half - you just shred it and stir it in. The frozen peas and carrots mean no chopping vegetables when you're already tired. Everything cooks in one pot, so you're not juggling multiple pans while trying to help with homework.
What really makes this different from other pasta recipes is how it captures that classic pot pie flavor. The combination of chicken broth, cream, and a little thyme gives you that cozy, homey taste that reminds you of Sunday dinners at grandma's house. Oliver loves that he can eat it with a fork without the messy pie crust falling apart everywhere. My husband appreciates that it's filling enough to actually satisfy him without needing sides. You can make it with whatever pasta shape you have - egg noodles are traditional, but penne, rotini, or even shells work great. The leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day, unlike actual pot pie that gets soggy.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
- Ingredients For Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
- How To Make Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
- Substitutions
- Chicken Pot Pie Pasta Variations
- Equipment For Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
- Storing Your Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
- Top Tip
- Why This Chicken Pot Pie Pasta Works Every Time
- FAQ
- Comfort Food Made Simple!
- Related
- Pairing
- Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
Ingredients For Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
For the Base:
- 12 oz egg noodles or penne pasta
- 3 cups cooked chicken
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
For the Sauce:
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried sage
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Vegetables:
- 2 cups frozen peas and carrots mix
- 1 cup frozen corn
- ½ cup diced celery
Finishing Touches:
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Extra black pepper
Optional Add-Ins:
- Mushrooms
- Pearl onions
- Diced potatoes
- Crumbled bacon on top
- Puff pastry strips for serving
How To Make Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
Cook the Pasta
- Bring large pot of salted water to boil
- Add pasta and cook 2 minutes less than package directions
- Pasta will finish cooking in the sauce
- Drain and set aside
- Don't rinse - the starch helps sauce stick
- Save one cup pasta water just in case
Build the Flavor Base
- In same pot, melt butter over medium heat
- Add diced onion and celery and cook 4-5 minutes until soft
- Stir in minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant
- Season with salt and pepper while cooking
- Don't let garlic burn or it gets bitter
- This creates the foundation for your sauce
Make the Creamy Sauce
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir well
- Cook flour for 1-2 minutes to remove raw taste
- Slowly pour in chicken broth while stirring constantly
- Add heavy cream and milk, stirring until smooth
- Bring to a simmer and let thicken for 3-4 minutes
- Sauce should coat the back of a spoon when ready
Add Seasonings and Vegetables
- Stir in dried thyme and sage
- Add frozen peas and carrots directly to sauce
- Include corn if using
- Let vegetables heat through for 2-3 minutes
- Don't overcook or veggies get mushy
- Frozen vegetables work better than fresh for this
Combine Everything
- Add shredded chicken to the sauce
- Stir in the cooked pasta
- Toss everything together until pasta is coated
- Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick
- Stir in parmesan cheese until melted
- Let everything simmer together 2-3 minutes
Finish and Serve
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper
- Remove from heat when sauce reaches desired thickness
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley
- Serve immediately while hot and creamy
- Pass extra parmesan at the table
- Add cracked black pepper on top
Substitutions
Protein Options:
- Rotisserie chicken → Leftover turkey
- Chicken → Cooked ham or turkey breast
- Meat → All vegetables for vegetarian version
- Fresh chicken → Canned chicken in a pinch
Pasta Choices:
- Egg noodles → Penne, rotini, or shells
- Regular pasta → Gluten-free pasta
- Wheat pasta → Whole grain for more fiber
- Noodles → Rice for gluten-free option
Cream Alternatives:
- Heavy cream → Half-and-half for lighter version
- Dairy cream → Coconut cream for dairy-free
- Cream → Cream of chicken soup for thicker sauce
- Full-fat → Greek yogurt stirred in at the end
Vegetable Swaps:
- Peas and carrots → Whatever frozen veggies you have
- Frozen → Fresh vegetables chopped small
- Mixed vegetables → Just peas or just carrots
- Standard → Add mushrooms or green beans
Chicken Pot Pie Pasta Variations
Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
- Add raw chicken breasts to slow cooker with broth and vegetables
- Cook on low for 6 hours
- Shred chicken right in the pot
- Stir in cream and cooked pasta 30 minutes before serving
- Perfect for busy days when you're gone all afternoon
Baked Chicken Pot Pie Pasta Casserole
- Make pasta mixture as directed
- Transfer to greased baking dish
- Top with crushed butter crackers or breadcrumbs
- Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until bubbly
- Gives you that crunchy topping like real pot pie
One Pot Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
- Cook everything in same pot without draining pasta
- Add uncooked pasta to sauce with extra broth
- Let pasta cook right in the creamy sauce
- Saves a dish and makes sauce even creamier
- Oliver likes watching the pasta absorb the sauce
Chicken Pot Pie Pasta with Biscuits
- Make pasta as directed
- Top individual bowls with a warm buttery biscuit
- Or serve with store-bought biscuits on the side
- Gives you that bread element without making crust
- Best of both worlds for pot pie lovers
Equipment For Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
- Big enough to hold pasta and sauce together
- Deep sides prevent splatter when stirring
- Heavy bottom distributes heat evenly
- Needs lid if you're simmering
- Dutch oven works great for this too
- Nonstick makes cleanup way easier
Storing Your Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
From making this for meal prep and keeping leftovers, here's what works:
Best When Fresh
- Serve immediately for creamiest sauce
- Pasta is perfect texture when just made
- Vegetables are brightest and most tender
- Chicken stays juiciest right after cooking
Refrigerator Storage
- Cool pasta completely before storing
- Keep in airtight container for up to 3-4 days
- Sauce will thicken as it sits - this is normal
- Store in shallow containers so it cools faster
- Label with date so you remember when you made it
Reheating Tips
- Add splash of milk or broth when reheating
- Microwave portions for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway
- Stovetop reheating works better - low heat, stir often
- Don't overheat or cream sauce can break
- Tastes almost as good as fresh if reheated right
Make Ahead Strategy
- Cook chicken and vegetables ahead, store separately
- Make sauce and refrigerate up to 2 days
- Cook pasta fresh when ready to serve
- Combine everything and heat through in 10 minutes
- Way better texture than reheating fully cooked pasta
Freezer Storage
- Freeze in portions for up to 2 months
- Sauce may look separated when thawed but stirs back together
- Add extra cream when reheating to refresh sauce
- Pasta texture changes slightly but still tastes good
- Better to freeze before adding pasta if possible
Top Tip
- I used to make this chicken pot pie pasta with just salt and pepper because that's what I thought you did with cream sauces. It tasted fine - creamy and comforting - but something was missing. One night I was making it and realized I'd forgotten to buy fresh herbs like the recipe called for. I opened my spice cabinet and saw dried thyme sitting there from Thanksgiving stuffing.
- I added about a teaspoon, figuring it couldn't hurt. The whole kitchen suddenly smelled like Sunday dinner at my mom's house. When Oliver took his first bite, he stopped mid-chew. "What did you do different? This tastes like real pot pie now." That tiny bit of thyme was the missing piece. It gave the sauce that herby, savory flavor that makes pot pie taste like pot pie instead of just creamy chicken pasta.
Why This Chicken Pot Pie Pasta Works Every Time
I've made this recipe on busy weeknights, when we had unexpected guests, and when I needed comfort food in a hurry. Here's why it never fails: The sauce is thick and creamy without being heavy, coating the pasta and vegetables in every bite. Using rotisserie chicken cuts the cooking time in half - you just shred it and stir it in. The frozen peas and carrots mean no chopping vegetables when you're already tired. Everything cooks in one pot, so you're not juggling multiple pans while trying to help with homework. The flour-thickened sauce stays creamy and doesn't break or get watery like some cream sauces do.
What really makes this different from other pasta recipes is how it captures that classic pot pie flavor without any of the fussy crust work. The combination of chicken broth, cream, and herbs - especially thyme and sage - gives you that cozy, homey taste that reminds you of Sunday dinners. The pasta soaks up the sauce while it simmers, getting more flavorful with every minute. Oliver loves that he can eat it with a fork without the messy pie crust falling apart everywhere. The leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day, unlike actual pot pie that gets soggy. Plus it costs way less than buying frozen pot pies and tastes infinitely better.
FAQ
What are some common mistakes to avoid when making chicken pot pie?
For chicken pot pie pasta, the biggest mistakes are overcooking the pasta before adding it to sauce, using low-fat milk which makes thin sauce, and overcooking vegetables until mushy. Also avoid making sauce too thick - it should coat pasta not clump. Don't skip the herbs or it tastes bland.
What kind of pasta do you use for chicken noodles?
Egg noodles work best for chicken pot pie pasta because they're traditional and hold sauce well. Penne, rotini, or shells also work great. Use short pasta shapes that can catch the creamy sauce and vegetables. Avoid long thin pasta like spaghetti - it doesn't work as well with chunky ingredients.
What to add to chicken pot pie to make it taste better?
Add dried thyme and sage to chicken pot pie pasta for that classic pot pie flavor. Fresh garlic and onion build depth. A splash of white wine adds brightness. Parmesan cheese stirred in at the end makes it richer. Don't forget salt and pepper - cream sauces need more seasoning than you think.
Can I cook raw chicken and pasta together?
Not recommended for this chicken pot pie pasta recipe. Raw chicken needs higher heat and longer cooking than pasta. Cook chicken separately or use rotisserie chicken for food safety. You can add raw chicken to slow cooker version where it has time to cook through properly before adding pasta.
Comfort Food Made Simple!
Now you have everything you need to make chicken pot pie pasta that delivers all the cozy comfort of traditional pot pie in half the time - from the creamy sauce to our herb discovery that makes it taste like the real thing. This recipe shows that you don't need a fancy crust or hours of baking to get that same satisfying feeling.
Craving more easy comfort dinners? Try our Easy French Onion Pot Roast Recipe for slow-cooked Sunday dinner perfection. Need another quick pasta win? Our Quick Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe comes together in 20 minutes flat. For a sweet ending, check out our Easy Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip Recipe that's ready in 5 minutes!
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Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
Equipment
- 1 Large pot or Dutch oven (For boiling pasta and cooking sauce together)
- 1 Colander (To drain pasta)
- 1 Wooden spoon (For stirring sauce)
- 1 Measuring cups and spoons (For accurate measurements)
- 1 Chef's knife (To dice onion and celery)
Ingredients
- 12 oz egg noodles or penne pasta - uncooked
- 3 cups cooked chicken - shredded (rotisserie preferred)
- 2 tablespoon butter - unsalted
- 1 medium onion - diced
- 3 cloves garlic - minced
- 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour - for thickening
- 2 cups chicken broth - low sodium preferred
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half - or milk for lighter version
- 1 cup whole milk - can use more broth if preferred
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme - adds pot pie flavor
- ½ teaspoon dried sage - optional but adds depth
- salt and black pepper - to taste
- 2 cups frozen peas and carrots - do not thaw
- 1 cup frozen corn - optional
- ½ cup diced celery - optional
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese - stirred in at the end
- fresh parsley - for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water; do not rinse.
- In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and celery; cook 4-5 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more, being careful not to let it burn.
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir well. Cook 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste. Slowly whisk in chicken broth, cream, and milk until smooth. Simmer 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Stir in dried thyme and sage. Add frozen peas, carrots, and corn. Cook 2-3 minutes until vegetables are heated through.
- Add shredded chicken and cooked pasta to the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated. Add a bit of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick. Stir in parmesan cheese until melted.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Remove from heat when the sauce reaches desired thickness. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately while hot and creamy.
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