Chicken Pot Pie Creamy Pasta is the kind of dish that warms your home from the inside out. It combines everything we love about a classic chicken pot pie tender chicken, sweet peas, carrots, rich creaminess into a dreamy, velvety pasta dinner that comes together with zero fuss. This Chicken Pot Pie Creamy Pasta is cozy, nostalgic, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting without extra effort.
Growing up, chicken pot pie was a staple in our home a dish that felt like a warm hug on cold evenings. This pasta version carries that same nostalgic charm but with a faster, more modern twist you’ll want to make again and again.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Ultra creamy without being heavy
- One-pot friendly and quick enough for weeknights
- Comfort food flavor with a pasta twist
- A great way to use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken
- Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing
- The perfect mix of simple ingredients and big cozy energy
Ingredients Needed for This Recipe
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 2 cups short pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make Chicken Pot Pie Creamy Pasta
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the aromatics: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic.
- Build the creamy base: Sprinkle flour over the onions and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in chicken broth until smooth.
- Add the creaminess: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Flavor it up: Add thyme, parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add the veggies and chicken: Stir in frozen peas and carrots plus shredded chicken. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Cheese time: Mix in cheddar and Parmesan until melted and silky.
- Bring it all together: Fold in the cooked pasta until each piece is coated in creamy sauce.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
How to Serve Chicken Pot Pie Creamy Pasta
- With a crisp green salad
- Topped with extra Parmesan
- With warm biscuits or garlic bread (for pot-pie vibes!)
- Perfect as a cozy main dish or comfort-packed lunch
How to Store Chicken Pot Pie Creamy Pasta
- Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months (cream texture may soften slightly).
- Reheat: Warm in a skillet with a splash of broth or cream to revive the sauce.
Tips to Make Chicken Pot Pie Creamy Pasta
- Use rotisserie chicken for fast prep.
- Add a handful of spinach for extra greens.
- Want even more pot-pie flavor? Add a pinch of poultry seasoning.
- Don’t overcook the pasta al dente holds up best in creamy sauces.
Helpful Notes for This Recipe
- Any short pasta shape works beautifully.
- Heavy cream can be swapped for half-and-half for a lighter version.
- If the sauce thickens too much, add splashes of broth until your desired consistency.
Variation
Chicken Pot Pie Creamy Pasta Bake
Transfer the pasta to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and extra cheese, and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes until golden.
FAQs
1. What makes chicken pot pie creamy?
The creaminess in a classic chicken pot pie comes from building a simple but flavorful base: butter, flour, and a dairy component like milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream. This mixture forms a smooth roux that thickens into a luxurious sauce once chicken broth is added. Vegetables like carrots and peas release a bit of natural sweetness, while the chicken adds richness, creating that comforting, velvety texture everyone associates with homemade chicken pot pie.
2. What can I add to pasta to make it creamy?
To achieve a beautifully creamy pasta, you can add ingredients such as heavy cream, cream cheese, mascarpone, or a combination of butter and flour to build a thicker sauce. Parmesan helps add both richness and depth of flavor, while a splash of reserved pasta water ties everything together. The starch in the pasta water helps emulsify the sauce so it clings to the noodles, giving you that silky, restaurant-style finish.
3. What is Oprah’s favorite chicken pot pie?
Oprah has shared on multiple occasions that her favorite chicken pot pie comes from Williams Sonoma, a brand known for gourmet comfort foods. Their pot pie features a flaky, buttery crust and a rich, creamy filling made with tender chicken and classic vegetables. It became especially famous after Oprah highlighted it on her annual “Favorite Things” list, making it a sought-after comfort dish for fans who love high-quality, indulgent meals.
4. What are common mistakes when making chicken pot pie?
Several common pitfalls can affect the outcome of a chicken pot pie. One is adding too much liquid, which prevents the filling from setting properly and leads to a runny texture. Another frequent mistake is not cooking the roux long enough, resulting in a sauce that tastes floury instead of smooth and flavorful. Under-seasoning is also common and can make the dish taste flat. Finally, overbaking the crust or using dough that’s too thick can cause dryness. For the pasta version, overcooking the noodles can lead to a mushy final dish, so it’s important to keep them al dente.
Conclusion
This Chicken Pot Pie Creamy Pasta is everything we love about comfort food creamy, hearty, and full of nostalgic flavor yet wonderfully simple to make. It brings that classic pot-pie hug straight to your dinner bowl. Try it once and it may just become your new weekly favorite!