Nothing says comfort quite like a bowl of creamy Chicken Pot Pie Soup on a chilly evening. All those familiar pot pie flavors you crave-tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and that velvety broth-come together in one cozy bowl without the fuss of pastry. My mom used to make this after particularly long winter days, and the whole house would smell like a warm hug. It's become my go-to when someone in the family needs comfort food fast.
Why You'll Love This Chicken Pot Pie Soup
This homemade soup recipe takes everything you love about classic chicken pot pie and transforms it into something even easier to make. You get all that creamy, savory goodness without rolling out dough or worrying about soggy crusts. It's one of those delicious soup recipes that works beautifully for busy weeknights because it comes together in about thirty minutes.
My daughter requests this Chicken Pot Pie Soup every time she feels under the weather. The best part is how flexible it is-use rotisserie chicken for shortcuts or leftover turkey after the holidays. It freezes wonderfully and tastes even better the next day when all the flavors have mingled together.
Jump to:
What You'll Need
This recipe uses simple ingredients you probably already have. It's the kind of cozy winter soup that doesn't require a special shopping trip.
Main Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups whole milk or half-and-half
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Optional Extras
You can add diced potatoes for extra heartiness, throw in some corn alongside the peas, or stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end for an even richer texture. Some people love adding a bay leaf while the soup simmers, and if you want that dumpling experience, drop in some biscuit dough during the last ten minutes of cooking.
Check the recipe card for exact amounts and full instructions.
How to Make Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Sauté the Vegetables
Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add your diced onion, carrots, and celery-this classic combination is called mirepoix and forms the flavor base for countless fall soup recipes. Cook until the vegetables soften and the onion turns translucent, about five minutes. Toss in the garlic and stir for another minute until fragrant. My kitchen always smells amazing at this stage.
Create the Roux
Sprinkle the flour over your vegetables and stir constantly for about two minutes. This step is crucial-it creates a roux that will thicken your soup and give it that signature creamy texture. Don't skip this or rush it, otherwise you'll end up with lumpy soup or a thin broth that doesn't coat your spoon properly.
Build the Base
Slowly pour in the chicken broth while whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Then add your milk or half-and-half, stirring until everything is smooth and well combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. You'll notice it starting to thicken as it heats-that's exactly what you want for this pot pie soup recipe.
Q: Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely, and I actually recommend it for busy nights. Rotisserie chicken soup is one of my favorite shortcuts. Just shred the meat and add it to the pot. It saves at least twenty minutes and adds great flavor since the chicken is already seasoned.
Add Chicken and Seasonings
Stir in your cooked chicken, dried thyme, and rosemary. Season generously with salt and pepper. Let everything simmer together for about ten minutes so the flavors can blend. This is when the soup really starts smelling like chicken pot pie. The herbs infuse into the broth and make your whole house smell incredible.
Finish With Peas
Add the frozen peas during the last five minutes of cooking. They only need a few minutes to heat through and you want them to stay bright green and sweet, not mushy and dull. Give everything a final taste and adjust your seasonings if needed. Some days I add extra pepper, other days a pinch more salt depending on how salty my broth was.
Serve It Up
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. If you want to go full pot pie experience, serve it with flaky puff pastry on the side or crumble some crackers on top. My husband loves dunking buttery biscuits straight into his bowl. The contrast of crispy pastry with creamy soup is unbeatable.
Aliana's Top Tip
The secret to making this taste like actual chicken pot pie is the herb combination and not skimping on the butter in that initial roux.
Also, if you're making this as one of your winter soup recipes to freeze, undercook it slightly and add the peas fresh when you reheat.
Frozen peas get mushy if they go through a freeze-thaw cycle. One more thing-if your soup seems too thick after sitting, just thin it out with a splash of broth or milk when reheating.
It thickens as it cools, which is totally normal.
Ingredient Substitutions
Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend if needed, though you might need slightly less liquid. For a lighter version, use milk instead of half-and-half and reduce the butter to two tablespoons. Turkey pot pie soup works beautifully here-just substitute cooked turkey for the chicken.
You can also use chicken thighs instead of breast for richer flavor. If you don't have fresh herbs, dried works perfectly fine at about one-third the amount. These simple swaps keep your chicken pot pie soup flexible for different dietary needs.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
This soup stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to four days in an airtight container. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of broth if it's gotten too thick.
You can freeze it for up to three months, though I recommend leaving out the peas and adding them fresh when you reheat. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. My sister makes a double batch of this chicken pot pie soup every time specifically so she can freeze half for later.
What to Serve With Chicken Pot Pie Soup
This pairs perfectly with warm crusty bread, buttery biscuits, or garlic toast for dipping. For a complete meal, serve it alongside a simple green salad with vinaigrette. Puff pastry strips baked until golden make an elegant topper that turns this into dinner party material. My family also loves it with oyster crackers scattered on top and a side of roasted vegetables.
FAQs About Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes, but you'll need to adjust the method. Sauté your vegetables and make the roux on the stovetop first, then transfer everything to your slow cooker with the broth, milk, and chicken. Cook on low for four to six hours. Add peas in the last thirty minutes.
Why is my soup too thin?
You either didn't cook the roux long enough or used too much liquid. To fix it, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the simmering soup until it reaches your desired thickness.
Can I add noodles to make chicken and noodle soup?
Definitely. Cook egg noodles separately and add them to individual bowls rather than the whole pot. This prevents them from absorbing all the broth and getting mushy if you have leftovers.
What's the best way to shred chicken quickly?
Use two forks to pull it apart, or for an even faster method, put warm cooked chicken in your stand mixer with the paddle attachment and run it on low for about thirty seconds. It shreds perfectly every time.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you're into easy soup recipes, try my creamy chicken and broccoli soup-it's loaded with vegetables and tastes like comfort in a bowl. For something different, the chicken and dumplings soup has fluffy dumplings that soak up all that delicious broth. And when you want something lighter, my lemon chicken orzo soup brings bright flavors to your table.
You'll find even more warming dishes in my Soup Recipes category, and if you're looking for complete meal ideas, check out my Dinner Recipes section where I share hearty, family-friendly dishes that make weeknight cooking easier.
Gave this recipe your own spin? Share it on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes-I can't wait to see your take on it!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Chicken Pot Pie Soup Recipe:
Leave a Reply