Our Paleo Chicken Pot Pie tastes just like the classic everyone loves! With almost 100 five-star reviews, this is the gluten-free chicken pot pie you must make!
Paleo Chicken Pot Pie
I love a good pot pie, who doesn’t though? It is the ultimate cold-weather comfort food.
A few winters ago, I started perfecting my gluten-free and paleo-friendly version of classic pot pie. I tested the recipe with both leftover Thanksgiving turkey and rotisserie chicken and both worked out just fine. I also tried parsnips instead of potatoes and they were somewhat interchangeable (spoiler: I prefer the potatoes).
But the crust was just an issue – I wasn’t 100% happy with it. By the end of the season, I retired my ideas and decided to come back to it this year.
Now that it’s been cold for a couple of weeks, I figured there was no better time to get back into the kitchen to experiment with pot pie dough. I used my savory paleo pie crust as a base recipe and just keep tweaking until I got it where I wanted it.
This final version is gluten-free chicken pot pie PERFECTION. Don’t believe me? There are over 100 5-star reviews on this recipe!
A rich and creamy savory pot pie filling that is topped with a light and flaky grain-free crust. My family could not believe that it was gluten-free, grain-free and paleo-friendly.
They also couldn’t believe I didn’t use any type of thickener for the sauce.
To say that this recipe was a success would be an understatement. As my husband said, “Baby, you hit it out of the park with this one! When are you making it again?”
I can’t wait to hear what you think!
Gluten-Free Chicken Pot Pie Ingredients
Crust Ingredients:
- Blanched Almond Flour
- Tapioca Starch
- Paprika
- Finely Ground Sea Salt
- Baking Powder (gluten or grain free)
- Ground White Pepper
- Pastured Butter OR Ghee
- Egg
- Ice Cold Water
Filling:
- Pastured Butter or Ghee
- Yellow Onion
- Russet Potatoes
- Chicken Broth
- Full-Fat Canned Coconut Milk
- Carrots
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
- Cooked Chicken or Turkey Meat
- Frozen Peas
- Fresh Thyme
- Fresh Rosemary
Are Potatoes, Peas and Butter Paleo?
Before we dive into how to actually make this paleo chicken pot pie, let’s address the potato, pea, butter, and elephant in the room.
There used to be some controversy about white potatoes in the paleo diet but that has largely been rebuked many years ago. If you want to avoid white potatoes when making this chicken pot pie, you could substitute cubed Japanese sweet potatoes (that would be my first choice as the starch will help make the sauce) or peeled and cubed parsnip (will be much sweeter).
Many people who eat a mostly Paleo-diet occasionally eat green peas. If that doesn’t work for you, you can substitute cut up green beans.
As for the pastured butter, this is another area of contention. Many mostly-Paleo eaters include high-quality pastured butter in their cooking. If you cannot have butter and can tolerate Ghee, this is a great substitute. Many readers have successfully made this paleo chicken pot pie using frozen Ghee in place of pastured butter.
If all dairy is out, you can use hardened coconut oil, lard or high-quality vegetable shortening (that is chilled) but know that the taste will slightly change.
How to Make Paleo Chicken Pot Pie
It’s important to note that this chicken pot pie is not a quick recipe. It takes a bit of time to put it all together but it’s SOOOO totally worth it! This paleo chicken pot pie tastes like classic chicken pot pie and you know what’s even better? The 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th time you make it – it goes super fast. Plus, once you get the hang of it, you can double or triple the filling and freeze in batches for future meals!
- Combine flours and spices in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a couple of times to get rid of any lumps. (Picture #1)
- Use a cheese grater to grate the cold butter into the flour mixture. (Picture #2)
- Add egg and pulse a few times. (Picture #3)
- Add cold water and use a spatula to mix in until incorporated. (Picture #4)
- Transfer dough to a bowl or piece of parchment or wax paper. Place in freezer to harden.
- Prepare onions, potatoes, carrots, and fresh herbs.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add butter and then onions. (Picture #5)
- Add 1/2 lb of chopped potatoes and chicken broth. (Picture #6)
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer potato chunks from skillet to a blender or food processor. (Picture #7)
- Add the coconut milk to the potatoes in the blender and process until smooth and creamy. (Picture #8)
- Add carrots and remaining potatoes to broth in skillet along with salt and pepper. (Picture #9)
- Add cubed chicken, frozen peas and chopped herbs. (Picture #10)
- Slowly stir in creamy potato and coconut milk mixture. Remove from heat and set aside. (Pictures #11 and #12)
- Remove dough from freezer. It should be hard and not sticky. Place between two pieces of parchment or wax paper and roll out to the desired size. (Picture #13)
- Once you have the shape you need, leave the dough between the parchment paper, place on a flat dish or tray to keep its shape and place back in the freezer for an additional 30 to 45 minutes or until ready to use. (Picture #14)
- Grab a baking dish and pour in filling mixture. (Picture #15)
- Remove rolled out dough from freezer and gently remove from parchment paper one side at a time letting the dough fall onto the pot pie. (Picture #16)
- Scrape the edges a little so that there isn’t too much overhang, remove the excess dough from the baking sheet and discard. Use a small knife to cut 2 to 3 slits (if making one big pot pie or 1 slit per individual pot pie) to allow some steam to escape while cooking.
- Bake uncovered for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until crust is beginning to brown all over.
- If you are using individual baking crocks, you may need to decrease the time.
- Allow to rest for 10 minutes, serve and Enjoy!
Get the full detailed instructions on the printable recipe card below.
Tips for the Best Gluten-Free Pot Pie
- Almond meal (ground raw almonds with their skins on) and blanched almond flour (finely ground blanched and skinless almonds) are different. This paleo chicken pot pie uses blanched almond flour and will not work as well with almond meal.
- Your butter or Ghee has to be ice cold if you want a flaky crust!
- I used rotisserie chicken meat but cubed turkey also works so this is perfect for using up leftover Thanksgiving turkey!
- You can make both the filling and dough ahead of time and freeze. I do recommend freezing them separately and placing the dough on the pot pie right before baking. You may need to adjust your baking time slightly (longer).
- This gluten-free chicken pot pie can be made in individual ramekins. You will need to slightly reduce the cooking time so that the crust doesn’t burn.
- While I haven’t tried it, some readers (in the comments) have doubled the crust recipe and made another layer under the pot pie filling. I suggest par-cooking the crust before filling it to try and keep it as crispy as possible.
- Please note that the nutrition information generated is for the exact recipe as written. If you make any modifications, you will need to recalculate the nutritional information for it to be considered accurate.
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
Our Paleo Chicken Pot Pie tastes like the classic everyone loves! This is a well-loved and well-tested recipe with dozens of 5-star reviews.
- 1 cup blanched almond flour
- 3/4 cup tapioca starch
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon finely ground sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder (gluten free or grain free)
- 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1/4 cup pastured butter OR Ghee frozen
- 1 large egg
- 3 Tablespoons ice cold water
- 1.5 Tablespoons pastured butter or Ghee
- 1 large yellow onion finely chopped
- 1 pound russet potatoes divided, (1/2 lb peeled and and cut into 1/2" dice, 1/2 lb peeled and roughly chopped)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/3 cup full fat canned coconut milk
- 2 medium carrots peeled and cut into 1/2" dice
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound boneless, skinless, cooked chicken meat cubed
- 2/3 cup frozen English peas
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves finely chopped
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In the bowl of a food processor, combine almond flour, tapioca flour, paprika, salt, baking powder and white pepper. Pulse a couple of times to get rid of any lumps.
Using a cheese grater, grate cold butter or Ghee into flour and spice mixture.
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Add egg. Pulse 5 to 6 times so butter and egg are just incorporated. Don't over-mix.
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Add cold water and use a spatula to mix in until incorporated.
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Transfer dough to a bowl or piece of parchment or wax paper. Place in freezer for 1/2 hour.
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Remove dough from freezer. It should be hard and not sticky. Place between two pieces of parchment or wax paper and roll out to desired size. You can also use your fingers to push into shape you want.
Once you have the shape(s) you need, leave the dough between the parchment paper, place on a flat dish or tray to keep its shape and place back in the freezer for an additional 30 to 45 minutes or until ready to use.
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Finely chop onion.
Peel potatoes, dice 1/2 lb into 1/2" cubes. Roughly chop the other 1/2 lb.ÂTIP: Soak your potatoes in cold water until ready to use. Make sure to drain thoroughly before using!
Peel carrots and cut into 1/2" dice.
Finely chop thyme and rosemary leaves and measure 1 tsp thyme and 1/2 tsp rosemary - combine and set aside.
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Preheat oven to 350F. Heat a large skillet (12") over medium heat until hot. Add butter and then onions. Saute 10 to 12 minutes until soft and translucent, stirring occasionally.
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Add 1/2 lb of roughly chopped potatoes (thoroughly drained!) and chicken broth. Raise heat to high until broth is boiling. Immediately lower to a simmer and cook 6 to 8 minutes or until potatoes are just fork tender but still somewhat firm in the middle.
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Use a slotted spoon to transfer potato chunks from skillet to a blender or food processor. It's OK to get a little broth and/or onion in there so don't stress about it.
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Add the coconut milk to the potatoes in the blender and process until smooth and creamy.Transfer to a measuring cup or bowl and set aside.
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Add carrots and remaining potatoes (cut into 1/2" dice) to remaining broth in skillet along with salt, and pepper. Raise heat to medium and cook for 8 to 10 minutes till vegetables are just starting to soften.
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Add cubed chicken, frozen peas and chopped thyme and rosemary leaves. Cook 1 to 2 minutes to heat through.
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Slowly stir in creamy potato and coconut milk mixture. Remove from heat and set aside.
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Grab baking dish(es) and pour in filling mixture. I used a glass Pyrex style casserole dish as shown.
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Remove rolled out dough from freezer and gently remove from parchment paper one side at a time letting the dough fall onto the pot pie.
-
Scrape the edges a little so that there isn't too much overhang, remove the excess dough from the baking sheet and discard.
Use a small knife to cut 2 to 3 slits (if making one big pot pie or 1 slit per individual pot pie) to allow some steam to escape while cooking.
-
Bake uncovered for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until crust is beginning to brown all over.
If you are using individual baking crocks, you may need to decrease the time.
Allow to rest for 10 minutes, serve and Enjoy!
- Butter is a controversial ingredient in the Paleo community. Some freely eat high quality butter and others feel it isn't compliant. You can substitute Ghee (which is also Whole30 approved) for butter in this recipe if you fall into the second camp. Make sure that they Ghee is frozen and follow the same directions.
- Peas are another controversial ingredient. Many people eat them and consider them an acceptable part of their Paleo diet plan. We fall into that camp. If you don't, you can substitute chopped green beans.
- Almond meal (ground raw almonds with their skins on) and blanched almond flour (finely ground blanched and skinless almonds) are different. This pot pie uses blanched almond flour and will not work as well with almond meal.
- Your butter or Ghee has to be ice cold if you want a flaky crust!
- I used rotisserie chicken meat but cubed turkey would also work.
- You can make both the filling and dough ahead of time and freeze. I do recommend freezing them separately and placing the dough on right before baking. You may need to adjust your baking time slightly (longer).
- Please note the the nutrition information generated is for the exact recipe as written. If you make any modifications, you will need to recalculate the nutritional information for it to be considered accurate.
Did you make this recipe? Tag @EverydayMaven on Instagram with the hashtag #EveryDayMaven and please give a star rating below.
UPDATE NOTES: This Paleo Chicken Pot Pie was originally published in November 2014 and was updated in August 2019 with step-by-step photos and instructions and answers to common questions.
Lisa says
The filling of this chicken pot oue recipe is amazing! The crust texture turned out great, but the tapioca flavor was very strong. Any ideas why that would be? I followed the recipe exactly. Thanks!
EverydayMaven says
What brand tapioca flour did you use and how do you store it?
Lisa says
I used Bob’s Red Mill and I store it in the freezer.
EverydayMaven says
Lisa, I wonder if the tapioca absorbed too much moisture or the flavor of something in your freezer? I store mine in the pantry. Here is a great piece with lots of good info! http://www.glutenfreegigi.com/research-based-facts-about-storing-gluten-free-flours/
Carrie says
Hi, great recipe! We love chicken pot pie and I’m always looking for ways to make it more paleo. I don’t have any almond flour and was already planning to cook a pot pie today when I found your recipe. I’m wondering if just gluten free flour would work? Do I still need tapico starch too? I’ve got some arrowroot on hand. I do have tapico starch here too, but I am not sure I like it.
Thank you,
Carrie
EverydayMaven says
Hi Carrie,
I am not sure – in theory it should work but I’ve never tried it with GF flour. Good luck!
Shannon says
Mine is not as liquidy as yours. I followed to the T… I’ll try again and see if it improves.
Thanks for the recipe!
EverydayMaven says
Hi Shannon,
First time I’ve heard of this happening. What brand coconut milk did you use?
Shannon says
Native Forrest organic coconut milk from lazy acres (similar to whole foods)
EverydayMaven says
Hmmm Shannon – I am stumped!
Jewel says
In the middle of prepping for this and I am so excited! My husband is not fond of thyme and rosemary. Are there any other spices you would recommend?
EverydayMaven says
Hi Jewel! You know, I would say use the Thyme and Rosemary – they are not overpowering at all and really add that classic Pot Pie taste here. Maybe just dial them back a touch?
Lorraine Thomas says
I have to thank you for this recipe. We’re big chicken pot pie fans and when my husband’s doc had him go paleo the first thing I thought was that we’d never have CPP again. This pie crust really is genius. Bless you!
EverydayMaven says
You just made my day Lorraine!!! Thank you so much and Happy Holidays to you and your family 🙂
Carolyn says
Just curious can you substitute raw cows milk for the coconut milk. The milk has about 3-4 inches of cream on a gallon so should be rich enough.
EverydayMaven says
Totally should work Carolyn!
Toni Sicola says
Not being much a baker but loving the idea of a grain-free pot pie crust, I decided to try this with my leftover Thanksgiving turkey meat. I actually tweaked a few things, including the seasoning in the crust, switching out the potatoes for pureed cauliflower, and adding in finely chopped cremini mushrooms. The cauliflower puree was so good I almost just wanted to drink it from the blender! : ) I hope you’ll check out my recipe at the blog — I gave you full credit for your crust genius (frozen butter!) and linked to this brilliant recipe. : ) http://cultivatedwellbeing.com/leftover-thanksgiving-turkey-pot-pie-recipe/
EverydayMaven says
I have also added in mushrooms and love the flavor and texture they add! So glad you loved it Toni 🙂
Toni Sicola says
Awesome! It’s so funny, I don’t really like to BITE into mushrooms at all, but adding them to things finely chopped always makes them better. It’s that magic umami! Thanks again for your awesome recipe. 🙂
crystal says
I used potato starch in place of tapioca, as it’s what I had on hand. But my body likes me better if I don’t eat whole potatoes. I subbed in some turnips instead. For soups and stews (and now pot pie) turnips are my go-to replacement for potatoes. This was delicious!
EverydayMaven says
Hi Crystal – love knowing that the potato starch worked 🙂
Crystal says
I’ve been using it in your Savory Pie Crust, so when I saw this was so similar, I knew it would come out. Thanks for sharing your kitchen with us!
EverydayMaven says
Hi Crystal – thanks so much – that means a lot to me! 🙂
shel garn says
do not share my email address
question: Isn’t raw better
does the flour have to be blanched?
and I do not eat starch and meat at the same time
are parsnips, sweet potatoes, rutababgas and turnips vegetables? or starch?
EverydayMaven says
Hi Shel – the blanched almond flour has the skins removed which makes it nice and light and more “flour” like.
Kayla says
Listen, to all the paleo potato/pea naysayers. Paleo is just a made up diet anyway. Did you know that humans were not consuming almonds either before the agricultural revolution? Wild almonds are poisonous!
EverydayMaven says
Hi Kayla! I hear you. I try to stay away from Dogma. Everyone has a different body and different needs. There are many variations on the Paleo diet and everyone should do what is best for them. I am not sure what the value is in preaching and badgering others about what is “right or wrong”. Do what is right for YOU. Anyway, off my soap box. Thanks for reading! 🙂
Tim says
Any thoughts on how to speed up the crust? After 1hr freezing still to sticky. Can’t wait all day. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
EverydayMaven says
Hmmm Tim, I’ve never had that happen. Did you make any changes?