Chicken pot pie is a comfort food favorite that can be made ahead of time and frozen for busy weeknights or holidays. But should the pie be frozen cooked or uncooked? There are good reasons for both methods, so it comes down to personal preference.
Quick Answer
Chicken pot pies can be frozen either cooked or uncooked. Freezing uncooked pot pies makes it easy to pull one out and bake a fresh pie whenever needed. Freezing cooked pot pies means they just need reheating for a quick dinner. Both methods work well.
Benefits of Freezing Uncooked Chicken Pot Pie
Here are some of the main benefits of freezing uncooked chicken pot pie:
- Fresher taste – Baking the pie fresh means it will have a homemade, just baked taste when you eat it.
- Better texture – The filling and crust will have their ideal textures since nothing gets soggy from thawing.
- Longer freezer life – Raw pies tend to last longer in the freezer, up to 4-6 months.
- Fun activity – Kids can help assemble the pies but the baking becomes a fun family activity for weeknights.
- More flexibility – Pies can be customized with different fillings and crusts when assembling before freezing.
Freezing chicken pot pie uncooked means you have ready-to-bake dinners handy whenever you need them. The raw pies thaw quickly on the counter and can go straight into the oven for a fresh, homemade meal in under an hour.
Benefits of Freezing Cooked Chicken Pot Pie
On the other hand, here are some benefits of freezing chicken pot pie already cooked:
- Super fast meals – Simply reheat frozen cooked pies for quick weeknight dinners.
- Make-ahead for holidays – Cooked pies can be made weeks ahead for effortless holiday meals.
- Preserve freshly baked taste – The just baked flavor gets locked in when pies are frozen cooked.
- Less work at serving time – No need to worry about baking pies while managing other dishes.
- Serve immediately – Pies don’t have to rest and cool before serving when reheated from frozen.
Freezing fully cooked chicken pot pies means dinner is just minutes away. You can prep them in advance for busy nights or holidays and simply reheat them as needed.
Tips for Freezing Chicken Pot Pie
To successfully freeze chicken pot pie, cooked or uncooked, follow these tips:
- Use freezer-safe materials – Aluminum pans work better than glass or ceramic dishes.
- Cool fully before freezing – Let cooked pies cool completely, uncovered, before freezing.
- Protect crust – Brush uncooked crust with egg wash and bake 5 minutes before freezing to seal and prevent sogginess.
- Prevent freezer burn – Wrap each pie well in plastic wrap or foil before freezing.
- Add moisture protection – Place a piece of parchment on top the filling before topping with second crust to prevent freezer burn.
- Label carefully – Mark pies with flavor, quantity and freeze date for easy identification.
- Freeze individually – Freeze pies in single serving sizes for easy reheating.
Following these tips will keep chicken pot pies tasting great whether you freeze before or after baking. The pies will emerge from the freezer ready to bake or reheat for quick, delicious dinners.
How Long Does Frozen Chicken Pot Pie Last?
Properly frozen chicken pot pie can be kept frozen for 4-6 months. Here are some freezing timelines:
| Type | Freezer Life |
|---|---|
| Uncooked pies | 4-6 months |
| Cooked pies | 3-4 months |
For best quality and food safety, use frozen chicken pot pies within these time frames. Tightly wrap pies and minimize openings to extend freezer life. Discard if freezer burn develops or you notice off flavors or textures when reheating.
How to Freeze Uncooked Chicken Pot Pie
Follow these simple steps for freezing uncooked chicken pot pie:
- Prepare pot pie fillings and allow to fully cool. Refrigerate until completely chilled.
- Line aluminum pie pans with bottom pie crust. Add chilled fillings.
- Top pies with second crust, crimping edges to seal. Cut vents in top crust.
- Brush crust lightly with egg wash or milk to seal and prevent sogginess.
- Bake pies at 400°F for 5-10 minutes until crust sets.
- Cool baked pies completely on a wire rack. Then wrap individually in plastic wrap or foil.
- Place wrapped pies in freezer bags or airtight containers. Freeze for up to 6 months.
When ready to use, thaw frozen uncooked pies overnight in the fridge or on the counter for 1-2 hours. Bake as package directs until hot and bubbly, about 45 minutes.
How to Freeze Cooked Chicken Pot Pie
Here is how to easily freeze cooked chicken pot pie:
- Prepare chicken pot pie recipe through baking until completely cooked through.
- Allow cooked pies to cool at room temperature, uncovered, for 1-2 hours.
- When cooled, wrap each pie tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, sealing all edges.
- Place wrapped pies in freezer bags or airtight containers, removing excess air.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. Label pies with flavor and date.
To reheat, remove wrapping and reheat frozen cooked pies in a 400°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Or microwave individual portions, checking often, until hot.
Alternative Freezing Methods
In addition to freezing whole pies, you can also freeze chicken pot pie in these ways:
Unbaked pot pie filling
Prepare your favorite pot pie filling recipe. Portion into freezer bags or containers. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and finish cooking in a crust or dish as desired.
Individual servings
Divide fully cooked and cooled chicken pot pies into single serving sizes in aluminum containers. Freeze, covered, up to 3 months. Reheat individual portions as needed.
Bake and assemble later
Fully bake empty pot pie crusts until golden. Cool completely then wrap well and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp when ready to use. Fill with your choice of prepared filling and freeze or bake again.
Things to Avoid
To ensure the best results freezing chicken pot pie, avoid these mistakes:
- Overfilling – Leave at least 1/2-inch of headspace for expansion during freezing.
- Slow freezing – Freeze pies rapidly in contact with cold air to maintain quality.
- Storing too long – Use frozen pies within the recommended timeframe for safety.
- Inadequate wrapping – Make sure pies are double wrapped in plastic and foil to prevent freezer burn.
- Repeated thawing/refreezing – Only thaw what you plan to eat to prevent quality loss.
Conclusion
Freezing chicken pot pie, cooked or uncooked, is a great way to enjoy comforting homemade flavor anytime. Uncooked pies make preparing fresh baked dinners easy while cooked pies provide near-instant meals. Use quality ingredients, proper freezing methods and recommended storage times for delicious results.
With a batch of frozen chicken pot pies in the freezer, you can look forward to quick, stress-free meals and more quality time enjoying with family and friends.
