Help Me Make a Chicken Pot Pie

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

So I'm looking at Sock's pot pie recipe:

3 cups diced cooked chicken or turkey [basically, 3 to 4 large boneless/skinless breasts]
2 cans (14 1/2 ounce each) chicken broth [SockMod1: fuck cans, use the good stuff.]
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 stalk celery, thinly sliced [SockMod2: using the entire stalk would've been too much. I used about 4 sub-stalks, or about 2/3 a stalk]
1/2 cup chopped onion [SockMod3: 1/2 cup is about half a small onion. Live a little, use a little more, but not much more]
1 small bay leaf
3 cups cubed potatoes [I used red; I usually use russet but had a feeling red would be the best here. I have other charming superstitions.]
1 package frozen mixed vegetables (16 oz) [I must admit, I did in fact use frozen peas & carrots. In my defense, I'm lazy.]
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon pepper [SockMod4: I knew this would be too much pepper for th'wife and kid, so I used 1/2 tsp here. It was still a little peppery for them. Srzly, if you use this much pepper you will definitely feel it. If I were doing it for myself I might have used the full measure, possibly cayenne instead of black.]
1/2 teaspoon salt
Poultry seasoning
1 9-inch refrigerated pie crust [I used TWO store-bought, prefab crusts, per my deviation below. Don't retch yet; it gets worse below.]

So.
Could I throw the chicken into the slow cooker raw and have it come out right?
I'd rather use fresh veggies. What would be good? Celery, carrots, onions (what kind? or should I use leeks?), potatoes (for sure).. hrm. My mom doesn't like peas.
Seasonings: Garlic fo sho, some of that poultry seasoning, perhaps a bay leaf? Some thyme or basil? I have sea salt & black peppercorn grinders.

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

The minced garlic I have in the fridge vs fresh vs garlic powder?

[erimir]

I saw an episode of Bobby Flay's Throwdown the other night where it was a chicken pot pie competition.

I guess the actual recipes aren't on there... Unsurprisingly, Flay used poblano peppers in his pie. And his crust had sweet potato in it.

[godfry n. glad]

Originally Posted by Cynical-Chick

So.
Could I throw the chicken into the slow cooker raw and have it come out right?

NO.

[Master Taran]

BobbyFlay, Chicken Pot Pie

It loads real slow even on Broadband Cable.

[viscousmemories]

Originally Posted by Master Taran

BobbyFlay, Chicken Pot Pie

It loads real slow even on Broadband Cable.

Very interesting... now should I order from them or try to make it myself.

[Deadlokd]

+ + =

[Legs]

I keep seeing this thread and having flashbacks to food poisoning I had once after chicken pot pie. I don't think I will ever be able to eat it again.

CC, I would definitely go with fresh (not frozen) vegetables.

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

Erimir, that made me happy. I love Throwdown.

So? Can I throw the chicken in raw, o culinary experts? Call me lazy, but I'd rather not spend the time cooking the chicken, dirtying a pan, then throw it in to cook again.

[Sock Puppet]

I wouldn't put the chicken in raw, meself. Keep in mind that cooking diced, boneless chicken is extremely quick. Also, by using cooked chicken, it'll be sure to be super-tender when you're done.

Fresh veggies, for sure. I just used a recipe that called for frozen peas and carrots. You can slice the carrots rather than dice them, just make sure the pieces aren't huge. You could also use those little snap-pea pods fresh rather than frozen peas. I wouldn't use a veggie that turns into complete mush, like squash. The filling will be plenty mushy enough already. Other than that, go nuts.

As for garlic, fresh minced would work. If you want chopped garlic, I'd do it fine at least.

[livius drusus]

Dirty the extra pan. Having browned the chicken before cooking it all day will make a noticeable difference in flavor and texture.

[Sock Puppet]

Fo sho. I've not tried it, but I'm guessing uncooked chicken would turn out rubbery.

[livius drusus]

Yup. Unless it's whole, of course, or at least large parts attached to bone.

[Prince Vegita]

If you need it cooked fast, boil some chicken breasts with salt, pepper and oregano. When done, shred it with a couple forks. Use cream of chicken soup and broth to make a sauce to your preferred consistency, throw in some frozen mixed veggies and mix it with the chicken. Put it all in one of those roll out pie crusts, and cover it with a thawed roll-out pie crust. Bake at 350 until the crust is done.