Getting Ready to Cook
Time to whip up your scrumptious chicken pot pie soup! But first, let's get everything together. Trust me, having your ducks in a row makes cooking a breeze.
Ingredients Needed
You’re gonna need a few things to turn this soup into reality. Here's your shopping list:
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
Chicken breast (diced) | 2 cups |
Carrots (diced) | 1 cup |
Celery (diced) | 1 cup |
Onion (chopped) | 1 medium |
Garlic (minced) | 2 cloves |
Chicken broth | 4 cups |
Frozen peas | 1 cup |
Heavy cream | 1 cup |
Flour | 1/3 cup |
Butter | 1/4 cup |
Salt | To taste |
Pepper | To taste |
Thyme (dried) | 1 teaspoon |
Bay leaf | 1 |
Refrigerated pie crust | 1 package |
Equipment Required
Here's the gear you’ll need to cook up this tasty soup:
Equipment | Purpose |
---|---|
Large pot | Cooking up the soup goodness |
Wooden spoon | Stirring like a pro |
Knife and cutting board | Chopping those veggies |
Measuring cups and spoons | Getting those portions just right |
Ladle | Serving up the soup |
Freezer-safe containers | Packing leftovers for later |
Baking sheet | Crisping up the pie crust tops |
With everything on deck, you’re all set to make that tasty chicken pot pie soup. Remember, enjoy the process—it's half the fun! And if freezing meals is your jam, hop over to our freezer meals gluten free guide for handy tips.
Preparing the Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Whipping up your chicken pot pie soup is pretty simple, and it'll get everyone coming back for seconds. This one's all about cozy vibes and tasty notes that dance in your bowl. Here's how to give that chicken some love, build up a kickin' soup base, and bring it all together.
Cooking the Chicken
First stop, let's chat about the star of the show: Your chicken. Doesn't matter if you're starting with some fresh cut or leftovers from last night's dinner party, we've got you covered. If you need to cook the bird from scratch, here’s what you gotta do:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, raw chicken breasts or thighs (unless you're going the lazy route with a rotisserie)
- 2 cups chicken broth (or as my grandma called it, the magic potion)
- A sprinkle of salt and pepper
Instruction:
- Toss that chicken into a pot with the chicken broth and give it a hint of salt and pepper.
- Set it on medium heat, so it just hangs out in a light simmer.
- Let it chill in there for 20-25 minutes until it’s as tender as your grandma's hugs.
Need a cheat sheet for different chicken cuts? Here you go:
Chicken Cut | Cooking Time (minutes) |
---|---|
Breasts | 20-25 |
Thighs | 25-30 |
Drumsticks | 30-35 |
Making the Soup Base
As the chicken takes a bath, you can get the soupy party started. This part transforms the whole shebang into soul-warming goodness.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, the elixir of life
- 1 cup diced onions for a little zing
- 1 cup diced carrots, because they’re healthy or whatever
- 1 cup diced celery, just trust me
- 2 cups frozen peas (let them crash the party, they know what they’re doing)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- A dash of thyme and garlic powder
- 1 cup heavy cream if you want it super silky
Instructions:
- Heat the olive oil in a big pot over medium heat.
- Throw in the onions, carrots, and celery. Give them about 5-7 minutes to soften.
- Add thyme, garlic powder, and those sneaky peas.
- Pour in the chicken broth and let it slowly come to temperature.
Assembling the Pot Pie Soup
The soup base is singing its song, the chicken’s ready to strut its stuff, so now it’s time to merge the masterpieces.
- Instructions:
- Shred the cooked chicken and mix it into your aromatic soup base. Make sure it’s evenly lounging in the broth.
- For an extra kick, stir in that heavy cream, then let everything have a 5-10 minute pow-wow as the flavors get cozy together.
Now that your masterpiece is hot and ready, you can pack it up and freeze it for those emergency comfort-craving moments. Check out our sweet tips for soup storage that'll make your future self thankful. Happy cooking!
Freezing the Individual Portions
Want to savor chunklicious chicken pot pie soup any time? Freezing individual bits of your culinary creation can save the day when meals need to be quick and tasty. It makes life a whole lot easier, whether you're planning family dinners or hosting a laid-back hangout with friends.
Portioning Out the Soup
Getting the perfect serving size of soup is like an art form. You need to nail that balance so each serving feels just right. Here’s how to keep those flavors on point while sticking the soup in the freezer:
- Pick Your Containers: Grab containers that won't wimp out in the freezer. Glass, plastic, or vacuum-sealed bags work great.
- Measure Your Portions: Typically, 1 to 2 cups per serving does the trick and fits snugly in most containers.
- Load 'Em Up: Dollop the soup in your chosen holders, but don’t fill them to the brim. Give it a little wiggle room—it’s going to expand!
Container Size | Serving Size (cups) | Number of Servings |
---|---|---|
1 cup | 1 | 4 |
2 cup | 2 | 2 |
4 cup | 2 | 4 |
Proper Freezing Techniques
Now your soup's ready to chill, but don't rush it! How you freeze it can make or break the flavor. Follow these friendly tips to keep your chicken pot pie soup eating-ready:
- Let it Cool: Give the soup some time to chill out to room temp before freezing. This wards off freezer burn and unwanted ice lumps.
- Label with Love: Scribble the date and what's in each container. No one wants to play the mystery food game! Ideally, slurp it up within three months.
- Challenge the Air: For freezer bags, give ’em a squeeze to push out extra air. You’ll dodge that pesky freezer burn.
- Lay it Down: Let the bags chill on their side. This saves space and makes freezing faster.
- Right Spot, Folks: Make sure you pop them in a freezer, not just the fridge’s freezer compartment. For more cool advice, check out our guide on healthy food to keep in the freezer.
By sticking to these practical steps, prepping your chicken pot pie soup for the freezer is a walk in the park. On hectic days, just grab your frozen delight and enjoy a piece of homemade comfort, no sweat involved!
Thawing and Reheating
So, you’ve got one of those irresistible individual chicken pot pie soups waiting for you in the freezer. Want to dig in with the same fresh flavors as when you first made it? We've got the low-down on how to thaw and warm that comforting bowl just right.
Thawing Instructions
Let's talk about giving your soup a chill exit from the icebox. You've got a couple of smart options here:
Method | Instructions |
---|---|
Chilly Fridge Method | Pop your soup from the freezer into the fridge. Let it take its time thawing overnight, which is around 8 to 12 hours. This way keeps things steady and your soup happy. |
Quick Fix Microwave Method | In a rush? Use the microwave on the defrost mode. Give it a check every minute, so it doesn’t start cooking on you. Nobody wants a lukewarm blob in the middle! |
Reheating Tips
Now that we've melted the ice, let's turn up the heat on that soup to make it a cozy delight. Here’s how you can do it:
Method | Instructions |
---|---|
Stirring Stovetop | Pour that soup into a saucepan and set it on medium heat. Give it a stir now and then to keep it moving until it’s sizzling at least 165°F (or if you like Celsius, that's 74°). |
Microwave Magic | Transfer your soup to a microwave-safe dish. Cover it slackly and microwave on high, one minute at a pop. Don’t forget to stir between nukes till it’s steaming all over. Use that trusty thermometer to check it hits 165°F. |
Stick to these thawing and reheating pointers, and you’ll be munching on that chicken pot pie soup like a pro. Hungry for more freezer-friendly meal ideas? Check our article on healthy food to keep in the freezer.
Serving and Enjoying
Plating the Soup
Alright, you've cooked up some scrumptious chicken pot pie soup, and now it's showtime! Let's talk bowls - the unsung heroes of soup dining. A shallow, wide one is your best bet. Trust me, it's all about flaunting those chunky ingredients. Gently ladle the soup in, about three-quarters full, because nobody wants soup sloshing onto their lap, right?
For a little extra pizzazz, pop a flaky piece of pie crust or a biscuit on the plate. It’s like adding edible art — both tasty and charming. Plus, who doesn't love a bit of crusty goodness with their soup?
Serving Size | Bowl Type |
---|---|
1 cup | Shallow, Wide |
1.5 cups | Deep Soup |
2 cups | Large Pasta |
Garnishing and Seasoning
Let's chat about garnishing! A little sprinkle here, a dash there, and you've just taken your soup from Grandma's house to a five-star vibe. Fresh parsley or thyme can turn your bowl into a masterpiece with color and extra flavor magic.
Feel like living on the edge? Add a dash of black pepper or some paprika to tickle the taste buds ever so slightly. If you're a fan of creamy goodness, dollop a bit of sour cream or toss on some grated cheese for that melty, dreamy touch.
Check out these garnish ideas for some inspiration:
Garnish Type | Perks |
---|---|
Fresh Herbs | Burst of color with a fresh zing |
Black Pepper | Boosts flavor without the heavy lifting |
Sour Cream | That creamy indulgence we all swoon over |
Grated Cheese | Cheesy goodness that’s all melty and lovely |
Paprika | Just a hint of smokiness to switch it up |
When you're done, sit back and admire your culinary triumph. Whether you're dishing up for the fam or kicking back with friends, this bowl of deliciousness promises warm and cozy vibes. So, grab a spoon and enjoy each slurp!