Who Makes the Best Chicken Pot Pies? A Comparison of Top Brands and Restaurant Chains

Chicken pot pie is the ultimate comfort food. With its flaky, golden crust and savory chicken filling, this classic dish warms you up from the inside out. But not all chicken pot pies are created equal. The quality can vary greatly depending on the brand or restaurant you get it from. So who does it best when you’re craving this hearty meal? I tested some of the top frozen pot pie brands and chain restaurant versions to find out.

Evaluating Frozen Chicken Pot Pies

Frozen pot pies from the grocery store provide a quick and easy dinner option. You just pop them in the oven and you’ve got an entire meal ready in under an hour. But with so many brands to choose from, it can be tricky to know which one will give you the best flavor and texture.

I tried 12 different frozen chicken pot pie brands and ranked them from worst to best. Some key factors I considered were the flavor of the filling, the quality of the vegetables and chicken, and the texture of the crust. Price and availability were also taken into account.

The Worst Frozen Chicken Pot Pies

On the lower end of the rankings were brands like Atkins, Banquet, Willow Tree, and Stouffer’s.

The Atkins pot pie is designed to be low carb, so it’s crustless. But it was seriously lacking in flavor and didn’t have much chicken or carrot.

Banquet’s pot pie had a decent crust but skimpy filling And the crust burnt easily even when wrapped in foil

Willow Tree’s filling was very loose and didn’t hold together well The vegetables seemed processed and the chicken was sparse.

Stouffer’s pot pie tasted overly industrial with a bland flavor. And the crust got dry and burnt during baking.

While budget-friendly, these store brands failed to deliver the comforting taste and texture I want in a chicken pot pie.

The Best Frozen Chicken Pot Pies

At the top of the list were Marie Callender’s, Blake’s, Boomerang’s, and Kardea Brown.

Marie Callender’s had the perfect balance of flaky crust, ample filling, and great flavor. They also offer lots of varieties, including gluten-free and plant-based.

Blake’s pot pie stood out for its amazing, buttery crust. It’s baked just on top like a biscuit rather than surrounding the filling. But that let the filling shine.

Boomerang’s hand pie crust got crispy in the oven but perfectly flaky in the microwave. Their chicken and mushroom pot pie was a nice spin on the classic.

Kardea Brown’s pot pie had a richer, more country-style flavor. The filling was peppery and loaded with chicken distributed throughout.

These top brands delivered quality and comfort that rivaled homemade chicken pot pie. Marie Callender’s ultimately came out on top for its wide selection and consistent excellence.

Comparing Chicken Pot Pies from Chain Restaurants

Ready-made pot pies from the grocery store are convenient, but what about when you’re dining out? Which chain restaurants serve up chicken pot pie that’s worthy of your hard-earned dollars?

I reviewed chicken pot pies, as well as chicken pot pie soup, from 8 popular chain restaurants. I looked at reviews from food critics and everyday diners to see which items were praised for flavor and texture or criticized for being bland or mushy.

Chain Restaurants with the Worst Chicken Pot Pies

Boston Market, Metro Diner, Jason’s Deli, and Potbelly ended up with the lowest rankings.

Reviewers found Boston Market’s pot pie filling completely lacking in seasoning and flavor.

Metro Diner’s pot pie was compared to a blend of canned soup and pancake mix by one critic.

Jason’s Deli and Potbelly both offer chicken pot pie soup rather than a full pie. But the mushy chicken and inadequate crust topping left diners unimpressed.

These restaurants failed to capture the comforting flavors people expect from chicken pot pie.

Chain Restaurants with the Best Chicken Pot Pies

The winners for best chain restaurant chicken pot pie were KFC, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Cracker Barrel, and Lazy Dog.

KFC’s pot pie makes use of the chain’s signature fried chicken, giving it incredible flavor. And the price is reasonable.

Cheddar’s bakes their pies fresh daily for unmatched quality and taste. Reviewers loved the flaky crust and tender chicken.

Cracker Barrel’s chicken pot pie features classic veggies and a tasty crust. The filling could use a bit more seasoning, but overall it’s satisfying.

Lazy Dog’s hearty, chunky filling and herb-topped crust impressed reviewers as a high-quality chicken pot pie.

These favorite chains succeeded in making chicken pot pies with fresh ingredients, well-seasoned filling, and a perfectly crispy crust. KFC unexpectedly took the top spot with its fried chicken flair.

Tips for Finding the Perfect Chicken Pot Pie

After extensive testing, I’ve identified some key tips for getting your hands on a supreme chicken pot pie:

• Prioritize freshness – Look for brands that bake their pies daily rather than freezing pre-made ones to ensure quality.

• Seek variety – Look for companies offering classic chicken as well as veggie or protein options to suit different tastes.

• Read reviews – Check what food critics and everyday customers say about flavor and consistency.

• Aim for visible ingredients – Chunks of chicken and veggies indicate a homemade touch. Uniform pieces or mushy textures suggest overprocessing.

• Evaluate crust – A great pot pie should have a crispy, flaky crust that complements the filling. Burnt or soggy crusts diminish the experience.

• Consider cost – Higher prices don’t necessarily guarantee better taste. Well-rated budget brands can still satisfy.

With these tips in mind, you can zero in on the chicken pot pie brands and restaurants that will satisfy your craving. Trust me, I’ve eaten enough of them to know which are worth your hard-earned money. Just follow my recommendations and you’re sure to find chicken pot pie perfection.