Ep 8. The Secret to Chicken Pot Pie

In season 4 episode 8 of Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, host Anne Burrell tackles a classic comfort food favorite: chicken pot pie. As always, Burrell emphasizes the importance of using fresh ingredients and proper technique to elevate this classic dish.

First, Burrell demonstrates how to make the perfect pie crust from scratch. She explains how to mix the dough, roll it out, and use it to line a pie dish. Then she moves on to the filling, starting with the chicken. Burrell recommends using bone-in chicken thighs for maximum flavor, and she demonstrates the proper technique for deboning and dicing the meat.

Next, Burrell adds a variety of vegetables to the filling, including carrots, onions, celery, and peas. She notes that the vegetables should be cut into small, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking. Burrell also recommends adding some fresh herbs, such as thyme and parsley, to the filling to give it extra flavor.

To give the filling a rich, creamy texture, Burrell makes a roux by cooking butter and flour together over low heat until it forms a paste. She then adds chicken stock, heavy cream, and white wine to the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Once the sauce is thick and bubbly, Burrell adds the chicken and vegetables to the pot and stirs everything together.

Finally, it's time to assemble the pie. Burrell pours the filling into the prepared crust, smoothing it out evenly. She then covers the filling with another layer of pastry and crimps the edges together to seal the pie. Before baking, she cuts a few slits in the top of the crust to allow steam to escape.

As the pie bakes in the oven, Burrell reflects on the importance of comfort food in our lives. She notes that chicken pot pie is a dish that can bring people together and make them feel happy and cared for. By using fresh ingredients and proper technique, she hopes to inspire viewers to try making this classic dish at home.

When the pie comes out of the oven, it's a golden masterpiece. Burrell cuts into it to reveal a bubbling, creamy filling that's packed with chicken and vegetables. With a forkful of pie in hand, she declares that this is what comfort food is all about: warm, satisfying, and delicious.