Best Chicken Potpies With Puff Pastry From Martha Stewart Recipes

CHICKEN POT PIES

Steps:

• Place chicken in a large stockpot and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce to a simmer, and cook until chicken is cooked through (until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165 degrees), about 50 minutes to 1 hour. Use tongs to remove chicken. When cool enough to handle, pull off and discard the skin, then separate the meat from the bones and tear into bite-size pieces. Reserve 2 cups of stock for the pot pie and the rest for another use.
• In a large heavy-bottomed pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add potatoes, carrots, and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes and carrots are fork-tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Add mushrooms, cooking until mushrooms are heated through. Add cognac and cook for 2 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Pour in reserved 2 cups chicken stock and milk. Bring to a simmer; cook, stirring constantly, until thick and bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in chicken, peas, parsley, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle into six (12-ounce) ramekins, let cool.
• Roll out thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out six circles that are 1 inch wider than ramekins or bowls being used. Cut a 1/2-inch vent hole in the center of each circle. Transfer puff pastry circles to a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 20 minutes.
• In a small bowl, whisk together egg, egg yolk, and 1 teaspoon water. Remove puff pastry circles from freezer. Top each ramekin with a puff pastry circle, crimping edges over sides to seal, and brush with egg wash. Transfer to refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Transfer ramekins to a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until puff pastry is deep golden brown and filling is bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes.

EASY CHICKEN POTPIES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-high. Add onion, celery, and carrots and cook until onion is translucent, about 4 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Gradually add broth, stirring constantly, then bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in green beans and chicken and season with salt and pepper.
• Divide filling among four 8-ounce ramekins. Roll out 1 sheet puff pastry and cut 4 rounds to fit ramekins. Cut a small X in center of each to vent, then place on top of filling. Brush with beaten egg. Bake at 375 degrees until filling is bubbling and crust is golden, 30 to 40 minutes.

CHICKEN POTPIE WITH PHYLLO CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Place chicken in a medium Dutch oven or large saucepan, skin-sides down. Cover with broth and 2 cups water; add 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until chicken is just cooked through, about 20 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate; let cool about 30 minutes. Strain broth, discarding solids (you should have about 3 1/2 cups).
• Remove chicken from bones and shred meat into bite-size chunks. Discard skin and bones. You'll need 2 1/2 cups chicken; save the rest for salads or sandwiches.
• Wash and dry Dutch oven or saucepan; melt butter in it over medium-high heat. Add leeks, carrots, celery, potato, 1 teaspoon salt, and some pepper. Cook, stirring, until leeks are translucent, about 4 minutes. Add vermouth; cook until mostly evaporated, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Stir in flour; cook 20 seconds, stirring constantly. Stir in 2 3/4 cups broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring often, until potato is just barely tender, about 5 minutes (mixture will look very thick; that's okay, as the vegetables will release liquid in the oven).
• Stir in chicken, peas, artichokes, and chopped tarragon. Season to taste; transfer to a 2 1/2-quart baking dish (such as a 9 1/2-to-10-by-2-inch-deep round one) and let cool 30 minutes, or refrigerate, covered, up to 1 day.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush a sheet of phyllo lightly with melted butter. Scrunch into a loose ball and place on filling. Repeat with more sheets brushed with butter, covering the filling but leaving a bit of space between pieces. Bake until golden brown and bubbling in center, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool 20 minutes before serving, garnished with tarragon sprig.

INDIVIDUAL CHICKEN POTPIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place a 1 1/2-cup ovenproof dish on pastry on a floured surface. Cut circle from pastry, 1/2 inch larger than dish; cut vents. Repeat. Refrigerate on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion. Cook, stirring, until soft, 4 minutes. Add carrot, celery, and potato. Cook, stirring, until soft, 6 minutes. Stir in flour, then broth; bring to a boil. Add greens and chicken. Simmer until thickened, 2 minutes; season.
• Divide between dishes. Top with pastry, press edges to seal, and brush with egg. Bake on a baking sheet until golden, 25 minutes.