Chicken pot pie is a beloved comfort food, offering a creamy, savory filling with tender chicken and vegetables. But making the traditional version can sometimes be time-consuming and messy. This Chicken Pot Pie Skillet Pasta recipe brings all the flavors of the classic pot pie into a quick, one-pan dish. By using shell pasta instead of pie crust and preparing everything in a skillet, this recipe is both easier and faster to make while still delivering all the creamy, hearty goodness you love.
Packed with chicken, vegetables, and a rich, savory sauce, this skillet pasta is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen. The addition of evaporated milk and chicken stock gives the sauce its creamy texture, while the dried herbs and sherry elevate the flavors, making this dish a simple yet satisfying meal.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 ounces frozen mixed vegetables
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken stock
- ¾ cup evaporated milk
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried sage
- ¼ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups shell pasta
- 1 tablespoon sherry
Directions
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Cook the Vegetables: Add the frozen mixed vegetables to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until heated through. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Make the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables, stirring to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes. This helps thicken the sauce. Gradually add the chicken stock, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Then, pour in the evaporated milk, dried thyme, sage, parsley, black pepper, and salt. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Cook the Chicken and Pasta: While the sauce is simmering, add the diced chicken breast to the skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink in the center. Add the shell pasta to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Finish with Sherry: Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the sherry and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve: Serve the Chicken Pot Pie Skillet Pasta hot, garnished with additional parsley if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories: 308 kcal
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 36g
- Protein: 18g
A Twist on a Classic Comfort Food
The traditional chicken pot pie is a classic comfort food beloved by many. Originating in England in the 18th century, pot pie became popular in the United States as a way to use leftover chicken and vegetables, wrapped in a savory pastry crust. Over time, the dish evolved into countless variations, with different fillings, crusts, and seasonings. While the traditional pot pie is known for its flaky crust, some prefer a simpler version that focuses on the filling itself.
This Chicken Pot Pie Skillet Pasta takes the concept of the classic pot pie and adds a modern twist. The use of shell pasta instead of pie crust not only makes the dish quicker to prepare, but it also gives it a comforting, familiar texture. The creamy sauce, packed with chicken, vegetables, and herbs, perfectly coats the pasta, making it just as indulgent as the original pot pie but without the added complexity of making a crust.
Why Shell Pasta Works So Well
Pasta is the perfect substitute for the crust in this skillet pasta dish. Specifically, shell pasta is a fantastic choice due to its shape and texture. The small, curved shells are great at holding onto sauces, allowing every bite to be coated in the rich, creamy sauce that is the hallmark of chicken pot pie. Each shell is like a little cup that captures the sauce and the tender chicken and vegetables, creating a balanced bite in every spoonful.
In addition to its excellent sauce-holding capabilities, shell pasta cooks quickly and evenly, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights. The pasta also complements the vegetables and chicken, adding a hearty base that fills you up without overwhelming the dish.
The Comfort of Chicken and Vegetables
One of the defining features of chicken pot pie is its mixture of tender chicken and a variety of vegetables, usually carrots, peas, and potatoes. In this recipe, frozen mixed vegetables—often containing peas, carrots, corn, and green beans—make for a convenient and nutritious addition, bringing in the same comforting flavors you would expect from the original dish.
The chicken breast is cut into bite-sized pieces, ensuring it cooks quickly and evenly, absorbing the flavors of the creamy sauce. As the chicken cooks in the skillet, it becomes tender and juicy, complementing the slightly sweet and savory vegetables. Whether you opt for regular chicken breast or leaner cuts like turkey breast, the protein in this dish provides a hearty foundation, making it a filling meal.
The Creamy Sauce: A Perfect Balance of Richness and Freshness
The sauce in this Chicken Pot Pie Skillet Pasta is a critical element that brings everything together. A combination of chicken stock and evaporated milk creates a smooth, velvety base that is both rich and comforting. The chicken stock infuses the sauce with deep, savory flavor, while the evaporated milk adds a touch of creaminess without being too heavy.
The addition of dried thyme, sage, parsley, black pepper, and salt ensures the sauce is well-seasoned, giving it the herbal and aromatic flavor profile typical of chicken pot pie. These herbs help balance the richness of the sauce and enhance the natural flavors of the chicken and vegetables.
One secret ingredient in this dish is the splash of sherry added at the end of cooking. Sherry brings a touch of sweetness and depth, cutting through the creaminess of the sauce and adding a layer of sophistication to the overall flavor. It’s a small but powerful addition that elevates the entire dish, adding complexity without overpowering the other flavors.
Quick and Easy One-Pan Meal
One of the best features of this Chicken Pot Pie Skillet Pasta is how easy it is to make. Using a single skillet to cook everything means there’s less clean-up afterward. The cooking process is straightforward and efficient, making it an ideal dish for busy families or anyone looking for a quick, satisfying dinner option. In about 30 minutes, you’ll have a comforting, flavorful meal ready to serve, with minimal effort required.
This recipe also allows for customization. You can swap out the frozen mixed vegetables for your favorite veggies or use a different type of pasta if shell pasta isn’t your favorite. You can even substitute the chicken for turkey or add extra seasoning to suit your taste.
Nutritional Benefits
This Chicken Pot Pie Skillet Pasta isn’t just delicious—it’s also relatively balanced in terms of nutrition. With 308 calories per serving, the dish offers a hearty meal without being overly indulgent. The protein from the chicken breast helps keep you feeling full and satisfied, while the vegetables provide important vitamins and minerals. The pasta adds a good source of carbohydrates, giving you the energy you need to get through the day.
While the dish does contain some fat, it is primarily from the butter and evaporated milk, which provide flavor and creaminess. The portion size and balance of ingredients make this a well-rounded meal that can fit into a healthy diet when enjoyed in moderation.
Conclusion: A Quick, Comforting Family Favorite
This Chicken Pot Pie Skillet Pasta is a perfect example of how a classic dish can be simplified and made more convenient without sacrificing flavor. With tender chicken, hearty vegetables, a creamy sauce, and pasta to tie it all together, this dish is a comforting meal that will satisfy your hunger and warm you up from the inside out.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a family-friendly meal, or a way to reinvent the traditional chicken pot pie, this skillet pasta offers the same comforting flavors in a fraction of the time. It’s an easy, one-pan recipe that’s sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation.
Enjoy this satisfying meal on a chilly evening, and let the creamy, flavorful sauce and tender chicken take you on a comforting culinary journey.