Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie

2 lg boneless, skinless chicken breasts or leftover roasted chickenevoo

1 med. onion

1 stalk celery, diced small

2 med. carrots, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 lg. potatoes, peeled and chopped

1 cup frozen peas

salt and pepper

1 tsp. dried thyme or 3 sprigs fresh

1 bay leaf

1 sprig fresh rosemary or 1/2 tsp. dried

corn starch or flour

Put potatoes in a small pot, cover with water and cook through. Drain water and add peas to potatoes. If cooking chicken for this recipe, season with salt and pepper and sear in skillet with evoo over med hi heat until browned lightly on each side. Remove chicken, cover with foil and finish cooking in 400 degree oven. Add water to chicken skillet (about 2 cups) and use wooden spoon to deglaze. Set broth aside. If using leftover chicken, place in a small pot with about 1 tblsp. evoo, salt and pepper, and 2 cups water. Bring to a simmer. Meanwhile, sautee all veggies in 2 tblsp. evoo with herbs and bay leaf, salt and pepper until veggies begin to get tender. Sprinkle 1 tblsp. flour over veggies and cook about a min. Add chicken (with its broth) to pot with veggies and simmer until thick and bubbly. If using fresh chicken, shred or chop before adding to pot. Poor entire chicken/veggie mixture into greased deep pie plate or casserole. Top with buscuit crust. (recipe follows) Bake at 450 until golden brown. Let Stand 5 min. before serving.

Biscuit Crust

1/3 cup shortening
1 3/4 cup flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3/4 cup milk

Cut shortening into flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until size of small peas. Add milk ( a little at a time) and mix until combined and dough begins to form a ball. (I find I usually need just shy of 3/4 cup. Too much milk will make dough sticky, not enough will make it too dry.) Gather dough and knead on floured surface ten times. Roll out to 9in. round and place over pot pie. Cut shapes in top, if desired. Brush with milk or a beaten egg and bake until golden brown. *NOTE: you may also use a regular pie crust if you like--it's just as good!!