Lighter Chicken Potpie
Recipe information
Yield
serves 6
Ingredients
Poached Chicken
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until shallots are translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1 cup stock. Whisk remaining 1/2 cup stock into the flour in a small bowl. Whisk into shallot mixture. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Reduce to a simmer. Cook 5 minutes, whisking occasionally.
Step 2
Add carrots and celery. Bring to a boil. Stir in chicken. Return to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in chopped parsley and tarragon. Let cool. Stir in peas. Transfer to a 2-quart (8 1/2 × 12-inch) baking dish.
Step 3
Brush 1 sheet of phyllo with melted butter. Sprinkle with parsley. Repeat with remaining phyllo, parsley, and butter; do not sprinkle parsley on final layer. (Keep unbuttered phyllo covered with plastic wrap and a damp kitchen towel.) Drape the crust over the cooled filling; tuck in the edges. Cut four 4-inch slits in the crust for vents. Sprinkle with sea salt, if desired.
Step 4
Bake until crust is golden brown and juices are bubbling, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and recut vents. Serve immediately in shallow bowls.
Poached Chicken
Step 5
Place chicken in a large stockpot. Add remaining ingredients and enough water to cover chicken. Bring to a boil over high heat. Skim off any foam and discard. Reduce heat to low; simmer until chicken has just cooked through, about 25 minutes.
Step 6
Transfer chicken to a plate, and let cool slightly. Pour stock through a fine sieve into a bowl; discard solids. Set aside 1 1/2 cups stock for potpie; reserve remaining stock for another use. Remove meat from skin and bones, and tear into bite-size pieces. (You should have about 4 cups.) Refrigerate, covered, until ready to use, up to 2 days.