where the blueboots go

Chicken pot pie is one of my comfort foods. In a pinch, I will stock my favorite frozen variety. But making my own broth and ladling fragrant soup at home is peak comfort. Here are my four secret shortcuts to make an inexpensive and comforting chicken pot pie soup at home. Mix and match them as needed. I promise it is easier than you think.

Chicken soup is in itself a love language recognized by chefs and home cooks. It is also a soothing salve for every child that has had a sniffle or boo-boo. Many cultures have a version of chicken soup, each with unique flavors, seasonings, and ingredients. Stores boast Nana’s soup, Grandma’s soup, or Mom’s chicken noodle soup by the cup, bowl, quart, or gallon. Prepared, frozen, or made fresh, I’d hazard a guess that you, dear reader, probably have a favorite warm bowl of comfort you call upon in the worst of times and the best of times.

Sometimes, I just want soup fast – and one that offers a particular hug-your-insides comfort.

The worst is when any of the the below statements are true:

1. it is too cold outside to forage
2. delivery takes too long
3. delivery costs HOW MUCH?
4. i am too tired (or not feeling well)
5. nothing compares to a favorite version I had before

I won’t pretend I can fix every chicken soup problem. I can offer simple secrets (plus a handful of tips).

Chicken pot pie is a level more hearty than chicken soup. The secret shortcuts below will help shorten your time to a homemade chicken pot pie soup. They can also get you most of the way to a chicken pot pie if you choose to level up!

1st Secret Shortcut to Chicken Pot Pie: Rotisserie Chicken

Grocery stores often have rotisserie chicken specials on a certain day of the week (e.g., reduced price, or a buy one-get-one). The hardest thing you will have to do is carve the already-cooked chicken once. You can eat or freeze the meat, and keep the bones to make a nice bone broth. The chicken and the broth are what make the homemade soup quality stand out. Plus, you can minimize the majority of additives and preservatives while maximizing efficiency.

Below are a few simple shortcuts to make broth from a rotisserie chicken.

• If you have time to “set it and forget it,” take bones from one or more rotisserie chickens and put them in a crock pot on low with water for several hours. If one rotisserie does not yield enough bones, or you aren’t ready to cook yet, freeze the bones until you have enough or are ready.
• Without a crock pot you can simmer rotisserie chicken bones on the stove top for a few hours in water. I recommend leaving a few pieces of chicken on the bones. You can even leave a couple pieces of the skin in there for flavor.
• Add fresh herbs, 1-2 bay leaves, or onion if you feel fancy. Have fun and don’t be afraid to try something new.

No time or interest in making broth? There is no shame in buying a carton of broth. Be sure to read the ingredients to make sure they match what you are looking for. I usually look for organic chicken bone broth.

2nd Secret Shortcut to Chicken Pot Pie: Mashed Potatoes

One key difference between chicken pot pie and chicken soup is thickness. Chicken pot pie recipes sometimes already incorporate potato. Instead of adding starch or flour, I like to add mashed potatoes, which often already has flavor and seasoning. More potatoes, more thickness! It is also an easy gluten free thickener.

• Leftover mashed potatoes after a big gathering are not super tasty reheated. But, freeze them right away and they are ready to pop a little extra creamy thickness to soup. Ordered a side of mash with a steak? Bring extra mashed potatoes home and pop it into chicken soup to enjoy it in a new way.
• Look for frozen mashed potatoes and keep them on hand as an inexpensive freezer staple.

3rd Secret Shortcut to Chicken Pot Pie: Vegetables

The effort to chop fresh vegetables can be a total deterrent to making soup at home.

• Choose one or two main fresh veggies that don’t spoil quickly. Chop (use or freeze) a couple of fresh carrots, use up some baby carrots, or chop an onion.
• Buy pre-chopped Mirepoix (Carrot, Onion, Celery) in the prepared foods section of your grocery store.
• Stock a package of frozen mixed veggies (peas, carrots, corn) in your freezer.

Level up with a 4th Secret Shortcut to Chicken Pot Pie: some form of crisp or bread topping goodness

I like to keep puff pastry or biscuit dough in the freezer. They are versatile and keep well until you are ready to use them. Plus, they add a little something special for an extra-cozy bowl of comfort. Pro tip: a little puff pastry can be a lifesaver to create homemade appetizers fast with whatever you have available (think cheese and jam, or pigs in a blanket).

• Pop them in the oven to prep while you cook soup.
• Top soup you reheat in the oven to turn a chicken pot pie soup into chicken pot pie.
• Enjoy on the side.

If you have a little time to spare, I also keep King Arthur Baking Company’s self rising flour in the pantry to make their simple drop biscuit recipe on the package. (It only requires two ingredients: the flour and heavy cream!)

Whether on the go or in the kitchen, I share simple ways to save time and effort to help you focus on the things and people that matter most.

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Let me know which secret shortcut was most helpful!

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