Chicken Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
see notes
- Salt/Pepper
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- ½ small yellow onion
finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic
minced
- ½ teaspoon EACH: Onion Powder
mustard powder, dried thyme, dried rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon EACH: Ground sage
black pepper
- 1/3 cup flour
- ½ cup Half and half
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
or 1 tsp better than bouillon
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups frozen vegetables)
(peas, carrots, corn
- 5 cups warm mashed potatoes
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- 2
Pat the chicken dry and season with salt/pepper. Add 3 cups of chicken broth to a medium saucepan and add the chicken. Gradually bring it to a gentle boil. Let the chicken cook with the lid cracked for 15 minutes, or until cooked through. Don’t boil rapidly or the chicken will be tough. Remove the chicken and use forks to shred. Set aside and reserve the broth that the chicken cooked in.
- 3
While the chicken cooks, melt 4 Tbsp. butter in a wide (12-inch) pan over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté them for 4 minutes. Add the garlic and seasonings. Toss to coat and cook for 1 more minute.
- 4
Add the flour and toss to coat. Cook for 2 minutes or until you can no longer smell raw flour.
- 5
Reduce heat to low. Add 2 cups of the reserved chicken broth in small splashes, stirring to incorporate. Add the half and half in the same manner. Adding the liquid too quickly will break the roux and interfere with the thickness of the gravy.
- 6
Add chicken bouillon and 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce. Then add the shredded chicken and stir to combine.
- 7
Increase heat to medium and continue to add splashes of the remaining 1 cup of chicken broth while letting the filling simmer, reduce, and concentrate for 10-15 minutes. I usually use ¾ of the remaining cup.
- 8
Add the frozen vegetables and stir to combine and heat through. Remove from heat.
- 9
Transfer filling to a lightly greased 9 x13-inch baking dish if your skillet isn’t oven/broil safe.
- 10
Let the filling cool slightly, then carefully place scoops of warm potatoes on the top. Try to add several scoops that are all almost touching each other to eliminate the amount of spreading you’ll need to do. (See process shots in post above.)
- 11
Use a silicone spatula to gently spread the warm potatoes in an even and smooth layer over the filling. Don't push down hard to ensure the potatoes stay on the top.
- 12
If desired, use a fork to “rake” a design on the top. Place in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes.
- 13
Set broiler to high (550 degrees), and let the top brown for about 4 minutes, watch it carefully during this time to ensure it doesn’t burn. Don’t do this with glass or Pyrex baking dishes.
- 14
Remove and garnish with parsley. Let it sit for 5 minutes prior to serving.
Chicken Shepherd's Pie
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About this Recipe
Looking for the ultimate comfort food that's both hearty and satisfying? This Chicken Shepherd's Pie offers a delicious solution, bringing warmth and flavor to your dinner table.
This is truly an easy dinner idea, especially if you have leftover chicken or mashed potatoes on hand. It's a clever way to transform simple ingredients into a heartwarming meal, making it both practical and delicious, while creating a deeply flavorful gravy that coats every bite.
You'll discover a rich, savory filling brimming with tender chicken and a colorful mix of frozen vegetables like peas, carrots, and corn, all enveloped in a deeply flavored gravy. This gravy is expertly seasoned with a blend of classic herbs including onion powder, mustard powder, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and ground sage, enhanced with garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and a chicken bouillon cube for an extra layer of savory depth. Topped with creamy, warm mashed potatoes, the dish emerges from the oven golden and bubbling, offering a comforting texture contrast in every spoonful. This hearty dish is designed to be a satisfying experience.
Easily adapt this shepherd's pie to your pantry. The recipe suggests using boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, but it's also a perfect use for leftover chicken you might have on hand. For the vegetables, feel free to vary the frozen mix beyond just peas, carrots, and corn, using your favorite medley. Additionally, it’s an excellent way to use up any leftover mashed potatoes, making meal prep even simpler.
Serve this Chicken Shepherd's Pie as a complete and satisfying main course for a cozy family dinner or a comforting meal on a chilly evening.