Healthy Autumn Chicken Pot Pie with Sage + Butternut Squash (with Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free + Paleo Options!)
It’s finally starting to feel cooler here in Southern California and I’ve been in the mood for comfort food and all things fall flavored! Whether sweet or savory, pies are always one of my favorite things about cooking this time of year, and since they’re not always the healthiest, I’m always trying to think up recipes that still satisfy those pie cravings.
Chicken Pot Pie was a go-to for my mom, and frequently asked for by me and my brother, but now that I’m 95% dairy-free and we’re all trying to eat healthier, it’s not in the usual rotation anymore (not to mention I no longer live with my mom ). I’ve always loved chicken pot pie, and I’m STILL trying to create a healthier version of my mom’s that is at least close to her recipe, but I have yet to nail it down!
Over the last 2, year’s I’ve tried to make a healthier version of my momma’s classic chicken pot pie that fit within my new lifestyle choices, and while I’ve made some pretty good ones, nothing’s quite hit the mark. In the process, I sort of burned out and took a break from classic chicken pot pies. HOWEVER…I dreamt up of this beauty when the autumn weather started creeping in and I started to get the craving for some comforting chicken pot pie.
What I love about this autumn chicken pot pie, is that it’s got a few cheats to it. I use Kettle & Fire’s Butternut Squash soup as the base/roux (in classic chicken pot pie’s, they’re cream-based). I also use an organic rotisserie chicken from Whole Foods that I shred the night before to make assembly quicker. When I tested this recipe, it was the week we had to put Bentley down, so I used a Trader Joe’s pie crust; it’s my fave when in a rush and I’m up for being a little dirty with my food choices, but otherwise, my current go-to pie crust recipe is on the Simple Mills website. It’s from their Double Berry Pie recipe, which is clearly a dessert, but it’s a great all-around pie crust recipe for those of us who are paleo or gluten-free.
My whole family loved this recipe, which doesn’t always happen, since my mom and brother are pickier about fall spices and herbs, so I’m really excited this was a hit. Oh, and DON’T skip out on the cinnamon sugar topping. It sounds weird, but it was our favorite part of the pie! My Autumn Chicken Pot Pie screams Fall; it’s warm, comforting, hearty, savory, but also sweet, and it’s also healthy! No more feeling guilty for enjoying this on one of these lovely fall nights. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a weekend date night in, you won’t regret making this. Please enjoy, and please let me know what you think!
Love Always,
Nat
Before
After
Healthy Autumn Chicken Pot Pie:
Ingredients
For the Butternut Squash Soup Roux:
1 Kettle & Fire Butternut Squash Soup (feel free to use your own homemade butternut squash soup!)
1/3 cup spiced apple cider
1 tbsp fresh chopped sage
2 tbsp avocado oil
3 tbsp arrowroot flour
1 tbsp fresh chopped sage
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
For the filling:
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped celery
1 large onion chopped
1 cup lightly cooked squash/sweet potato (optional)
1 tbsp fresh rosemary
1 tbsp fresh sage
1 tbsp fresh thyme
Shredded Organic Rotisserie Chicken (about 3 cups)
1/2 tsp salt
Black Pepper to taste
Trader Joe’s Pie Crust Option:
1 pie crust
Optional for egg wash
1 egg
2 tbsp nut milk
1 tbsp coconut sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Simple Mills Pie Crust Option (GF/DF/Paleo):
1/2 cup tapioca starch
1 tbsp ground flax or chia seeds
9 tbsp cold water
5 tbsp melted coconut oil or ghee
Optional for egg wash
1 egg
2 tbsp nut milk
1 tbsp coconut sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
Filling:
In a sauce pan, warm the Kettle & Fire Butternut Squash Soup, Spiced Apple Cider, chopped sage, cinnamon, and ginger. Allow to simmer on low while you prepare the filling.
Heat 2 tbsp of avocado oil in a large pan or dutch oven and sauté carrots, onion, and celery until onions are translucent.
Add in minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Add in chicken, squash (optional), rosemary, sage, and thyme. Stir to combine, and sauté until fragrant.
Sprinkle in the Arrowroot Flour, 1 tbsp at a time, until the chicken and veggies are evenly coated.
Pour in the butternut squash soup mixture and simmer until the mixture is your desired consistency. Since this is a single crust pot pie, I prefer a thicker filling, but if you want to thin out your filling, carefully add in some bone broth, veggie broth, or coconut milk until you get the consistency you like.
Once it reaches the right consistency, let your filling cool while you prepare your pie crust:
Trader Joe’s Pie Crust:
Thaw 1 pie crust at room temperature for 1-hour.
Roll out pie crust
See Pie Assembly Below
Simple Mills Pie Crust:
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 box Simple Mills Artisan Bread Mix, tapioca starch, and ground flax.
Add cold water and coconut oil/ghee, and combine with your hands until it forms a ball and is moist, but not so much that it sticks to your hands. (If it’s too dry, add 1 tbsp of coconut oil/ghee)
Depending on the size of your pie dish, this recipe might make 2 crusts, so if that’s the case, take half the dough and wrap it tightly in plastic cling wrap before storing it in the fridge. Otherwise, take the ball of dough and roll it between two pieces of parchment paper until it is the right size for your pot pie dish.
Pie Assembly:
Pre-Heat your Oven to 400°
Transfer your pie filling to a pie dish.
Carefully transfer your pie crust over the top of your filling and trim the edges to your liking. (As you can see I crimped mine)
With a knife, carefully pierce the pie crust to create 3 small holes in the center to allow for steam to release. You can totally get creative here too and punch out a design.
Prepare your egg wash by whisking the egg and nut milk. Then lightly brush the mixture onto the top of your pie crust with a pastry brush.
Optional: Combine cinnamon and coconut sugar, and sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the top of the pie crust.
Bake your pie for 30-35 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
Enjoy immediately :)