Chicken Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Introduction

Chicken Shepherd’s Pie is a comforting twist on the classic dish, featuring tender shredded chicken in a savory vegetable gravy topped with creamy mashed potatoes. It’s a perfect hearty meal to enjoy any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 4 tablespoons butter
• ½ small yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
• ¼ teaspoon ground sage
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1/3 cup flour
• ½ cup half and half
• 1 chicken bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon better than bouillon
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups frozen vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
• 5 cups warm mashed potatoes

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Step 2: Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Pour 3 cups of chicken broth into a medium saucepan and add the chicken. Slowly bring to a gentle boil with the lid slightly cracked and cook for 15 minutes until the chicken is done. Avoid rapid boiling to keep the chicken tender. Remove the chicken, shred it with forks, and reserve the cooking broth.
3. Step 3: While the chicken cooks, melt butter in a large (12-inch) pan over medium heat. Sauté the diced onions for 4 minutes until softened, then add garlic and all seasonings. Cook, stirring, for 1 more minute.
4. Step 4: Stir in the flour to coat the vegetables and cook for 2 minutes until the raw flour smell disappears.
5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low and gradually add 2 cups of the reserved chicken broth in small splashes, stirring constantly. Then add the half and half similarly. Pouring too fast may break the roux and affect the gravy’s thickness.
6. Step 6: Add the chicken bouillon cube and Worcestershire sauce, then stir in the shredded chicken until well combined.
7. Step 7: Increase heat to medium and slowly add splashes of the remaining broth while letting the filling simmer and thicken for 10–15 minutes. Use about three-quarters of the last cup of broth.
8. Step 8: Stir in the frozen vegetables and heat through, then remove from heat.
9. Step 9: Transfer the filling to a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish if your skillet is not oven-safe.
10. Step 10: Let the filling cool slightly, then place scoops of warm mashed potatoes on top, spacing them closely to minimize spreading.
11. Step 11: Using a silicone spatula, gently spread the potatoes into an even, smooth layer, taking care not to press down hard so the potatoes stay fluffy on top.
12. Step 12: Optionally, use a fork to create a textured pattern on the potato surface. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
13. Step 13: Set your broiler to high (550 degrees) and brown the top for about 4 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning. Avoid broiling if using glass or Pyrex dishes.
14. Step 14: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for more flavor and moisture.
• Add mushrooms or diced bell peppers to the filling for extra texture and taste.
• For a richer topping, mix cheese into the mashed potatoes before spreading.
• If you prefer a thicker gravy, cook the filling a bit longer before transferring to the baking dish.

Storage

Store leftover Chicken Shepherd’s Pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and bake at 350°F until warmed through, about 20 minutes. Avoid microwaving directly to preserve the potato topping’s texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute pre-cooked chicken to save time. Adjust the cooking times accordingly and use chicken broth to prepare the gravy as directed.

What can I substitute for half and half?

If you don’t have half and half, you can use equal parts whole milk and heavy cream or just whole milk for a lighter version.

Chicken Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 538 reviews

This comforting Chicken Shepherd’s Pie features tender shredded chicken simmered in a flavorful homemade gravy with mixed vegetables, topped with creamy warm mashed potatoes that are baked to golden perfection. A perfect hearty and satisfying casserole dish that combines classic flavors in a family-friendly meal.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Broth

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 3 cups chicken broth

Sauce and Filling

• 4 tablespoons butter
• ½ small yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
• ¼ teaspoon ground sage
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1/3 cup flour
• ½ cup half and half
• 1 chicken bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon better than bouillon
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups frozen vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)

Topping

• 5 cups warm mashed potatoes

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the pie.
2. Cook Chicken: Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in a medium saucepan with 3 cups of chicken broth. Gradually bring to a gentle boil with the lid cracked open and cook for 15 minutes or until fully cooked. Avoid rapid boiling to keep chicken tender. Remove the chicken, shred with forks, and save the broth.
3. Sauté Aromatics: In a wide 12-inch pan over medium heat, melt butter. Add finely diced onions and sauté for 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and all dried seasonings (onion powder, mustard powder, thyme, rosemary, sage, and black pepper). Stir and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
4. Make Roux: Sprinkle flour over the onion mixture and toss to coat. Cook for 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
5. Add Liquids Slowly: Lower heat to low, gradually add 2 cups of the reserved chicken broth in small splashes while stirring constantly to integrate. Then add half and half slowly in the same way to prevent breaking the roux and ensure a smooth gravy.
6. Add Flavorings and Chicken: Stir in the chicken bouillon cube and Worcestershire sauce. Add shredded chicken and combine well.
7. Simmer and Thicken: Increase heat to medium, and slowly add up to 1 cup more of the reserved chicken broth in splashes while letting the filling simmer and reduce for 10-15 minutes until thick and flavorful.
8. Add Vegetables: Stir in frozen mixed vegetables and heat through. Remove from heat.
9. Prepare Baking Dish: Transfer the chicken filling to a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish if the skillet isn’t oven-safe.
10. Top with Potatoes: Let the filling cool slightly. Place spoonfuls of warm mashed potatoes on top, closely packed together to minimize spreading.
11. Spread Potatoes: Gently spread the mashed potatoes into an even, smooth layer with a silicone spatula, being careful not to press down hard to keep the topping fluffy.
12. Create Design (Optional): Use a fork to rake lines or patterns on the potato surface for a decorative touch.
13. Bake: Place the assembled pie in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes to heat through.
14. Broil for Browning: Switch the oven setting to broil (around 550 degrees) and broil the potato topping for about 4 minutes until nicely browned. Watch carefully to prevent burning. Avoid broiling in glass or Pyrex dishes.
15. Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and let sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow filling to set.

Notes

• Using chicken thighs gives a richer flavor and keeps the meat moist, but chicken breasts work well too.
• Be sure not to boil chicken broth rapidly to keep the chicken tender and juicy.
• Adding liquids slowly to the roux ensures a smooth gravy without lumps.
• Using warm mashed potatoes makes spreading easier and prevents breaking the topping.
• Watch the broiler carefully as the potatoes can burn quickly.
• If your baking dish is oven-safe, you can skip transferring from the skillet.

Keywords: chicken shepherd’s pie, comfort food, casserole, shredded chicken, mashed potato topping, easy dinner, family meal