Chicken Pot Pie- Sandra Lee Version

Hannah was watching Money Saving Meals last weekend and saw this recipe. She then recorded the episode, so I could later watch and make her this meal. I was thrilled that she wants to help with the meal planning. It definitely helps to have them involved. They try more, too.

I liked this recipe because it uses thyme, which has the same flavoring as my mom's recipe. I doubled it this week. It was very easy, and the house smelled wonderfully! I substituted the peas with green beans since that was what was in the freezer.


Ingredients
• 1 box pie crust
• 1 whole (4-pound) chicken , cut into parts
• 5 cups water
• Salt
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1/2 medium onion, diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 2 carrots , sliced
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme leaves
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 tablespoon milk

Directions
Prepare the pie crust according to the package directions. Divide it into 4 equal portions, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Put the chicken breast in a medium pot and cover with 5 cups of water.
Bring to a boil over medium heat and add salt, to taste. (Reserve the legs and thighs for the Round 2 Recipe Chicken Cacciatore.)

Simmer until the chicken is completely cooked through, skimming any fat that rises to the surface, about 20 minutes. Remove chicken, to a cutting board and when cool enough to handle remove the meat and dice into 1/2-inch cubes. Reserve the broth the chicken was cooked in. (Set aside 1/2 cup for Round 2 Recipe Chicken Cacciatore.)

In a medium pot heat the canola oil over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, carrots, salt and pepper, to taste, and cook until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, poultry seasoning, and thyme and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowly pour in the reserved 4 1/2 cups of chicken broth, whisking to remove any lumps. Add the chicken and peas, bring to a boil, then remove from the heat. (Reserve 2 cups for Round 2 Recipe Chicken Noodle Casserole.)

Divide the remaining mixture between 4 (14-ounce) ramekins. (Alternately, the pot pie can be made in 1 (9-inch) pie pan.)

Roll out the 4 pieces of pie dough to 1/4-inch thick rounds. Brush the edges of the ramekins with milk. Cover each ramekin with a piece of dough and press around the edges to seal. Cut a steam vent in the top of each piece of dough and brush with milk. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling, about 40 to 45 minutes.


http://www.foodnetwork.com/sandras-money-saving-meals/index.html