Rustic Chicken And Vegetable Penne Pie Recipe

Flavor-Packed Chicken and Vegetable Penne Pie Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand quick, satisfying solutions that pack flavor and comfort into every bite.

This hearty chicken and vegetable penne pie bursts with delicious ingredients that turn an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Tender chicken pieces mingle with colorful vegetables, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Perfectly cooked penne pasta weaves through the filling, adding a delightful carbohydrate base to the dish.

Creamy sauce binds everything together, promising a rich and indulgent experience with each forkful.

Baked until golden and bubbling, this pie delivers warmth and satisfaction in every slice.

Grab your apron and get ready to savor a meal that will become an instant household favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 7

Chicken Penne Pie Ingredient List

For The Base:
  • Penne Pasta: Hearty pasta that provides a robust foundation for the pie, choose high-quality durum wheat pasta for best texture.
  • Chicken: Lean protein that adds substantial flavor, select fresh boneless chicken breast for tender, succulent meat.
For The Sauce And Vegetables:
  • Butter: Creamy base for sautéing vegetables, opt for unsalted butter to control salt levels.
  • Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic mirepoix blend creating aromatic and nutritious vegetable foundation, select firm and fresh produce.
  • Garlic: Powerful flavor enhancer, choose fresh garlic cloves for most intense taste.
  • Flour: Thickening agent for smooth sauce, use all-purpose flour for consistent texture.
  • Chicken Broth: Liquid base providing deep savory flavor, select low-sodium version for better control.
  • Milk: Adds creamy richness to sauce, whole milk recommended for fuller consistency.
  • Peas: Sweet green vegetable adding color and nutritional value, frozen peas work perfectly.
  • Thyme: Delicate herb bringing subtle earthy notes, fresh thyme preferred over dried.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning for balanced taste, use freshly ground black pepper.
For The Topping:
  • Puff Pastry: Flaky golden crown of the pie, choose all-butter puff pastry for best flavor.
  • Egg: Creates beautiful golden glaze, use fresh large eggs for perfect brushing.

Tools to Make a Savory Chicken Pie

  • Large Skillet: Essential for sautéing vegetables and creating the creamy sauce.
  • 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Needed to assemble and bake the entire pie.
  • Whisk: Perfect for smoothly blending broth and milk into the sauce.
  • Colander: Helps drain the cooked pasta quickly and efficiently.
  • Cutting Board: Used for chopping vegetables before cooking.
  • Sharp Knife: Required to prepare onions, carrots, and celery.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Pastry Brush: Helps apply egg wash for a beautiful golden crust.

Cooking Instructions for Penne Pie Success

  • Oven Preparation

Warm up the oven and get your baking dish ready for an epic comfort food adventure.

  • Pasta Foundation

Cook the penne until it’s perfectly tender, then set it aside for its starring role.

  • Vegetable Symphony

Create a delicious base by sautéing onions, carrots, and celery until they become soft and fragrant.

  • Flavor Builders

Sprinkle in garlic and dust with flour to develop a rich, smooth sauce that will make taste buds dance.

  • Creamy Transformation

Slowly pour in broth and milk, stirring until the mixture becomes a velvety sauce that hugs every ingredient.

  • Protein and Herb Harmony

Fold in tender chicken, sweet peas, and aromatic thyme to elevate the dish’s complexity.

  • Pasta Integration

Combine the sauce with pasta, ensuring every noodle is generously coated with flavor.

  • Pastry Crown

Drape a light, flaky puff pastry sheet over the mixture, creating a golden, crispy top that promises deliciousness.

  • Golden Finish

Brush the pastry with egg wash and bake until the top turns a gorgeous, appetizing brown and the filling bubbles with excitement.

  • Serving Moment

Allow the pie to rest briefly, then slice and serve a comforting meal that tells a story of home-cooked love.

Tips for Making the Filling Even Richer

  • Replace chicken with turkey, ham, or even plant-based alternatives like tofu for a different flavor profile.
  • Experiment with dried herbs like rosemary, oregano, or Italian seasoning to enhance the dish's aromatic qualities.
  • Add extra vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers to increase nutritional value and create more texture.
  • Prepare the entire dish up to the point of adding puff pastry, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking for convenient meal planning.

Serving This Pasta Pie at Its Best

  • Pair with Fresh Salad: Toss a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy pie. The fresh, tangy greens will complement the warm, hearty chicken dish perfectly.
  • Serve with Crusty Bread: Slice some rustic sourdough or French bread to soak up the delicious sauce. Warm, crusty bread adds wonderful texture and helps capture every last bit of the flavorful filling.
  • Wine Pairing Delight: Choose a medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. These wines cut through the creamy sauce and enhance the chicken's savory notes, creating a delightful dining experience.
  • Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives on top for a bright, fresh finish. The green herbs add color, aroma, and a light, zesty flavor that lifts the entire dish.

Saving the Pie for Midweek Meals

  • Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover chicken and vegetable penne pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent condensation and maintain optimal texture.
  • Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve the pastry's crispy texture.
  • Reheat with Care: Warm individual portions in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes to restore the puff pastry's crispness. Avoid microwave reheating, which can make the pastry soggy and compromise the dish's delightful crunch.
  • Portion and Prep: Divide the pie into individual servings before storing to make mealtime easier. This strategy allows quick grab-and-go lunches and helps maintain the pie's structural integrity when reheating.
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Rustic Chicken And Vegetable Penne Pie Recipe

Rustic Chicken And Vegetable Penne Pie Recipe


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4.9 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Hearty chicken and vegetable penne pie delivers comfort through layers of creamy pasta nestled with savory ingredients. Home cooks can savor this satisfying meal that connects European culinary traditions with modern kitchen creativity.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
  • 8 oz (226 g) penne pasta
  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tbsps unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preparation Setup: Warm the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
  2. Pasta Preparation: Cook penne in salted water until perfectly tender, then drain completely and reserve.
  3. Vegetable Foundation: In a large skillet, sauté onions, carrots, and celery over medium heat until softened and translucent, then introduce minced garlic and cook briefly to release aromatic flavors.
  4. Sauce Development: Dust vegetables with flour, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk, creating a smooth, velvety sauce that thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Protein and Seasoning Integration: Incorporate cooked chicken, frozen peas, thyme, salt, and pepper into the creamy sauce, allowing ingredients to meld and warm through completely.
  6. Pasta Fusion: Gently fold cooked penne into the chicken-vegetable mixture, ensuring every pasta piece is luxuriously coated with the creamy sauce.
  7. Pastry Topping: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, then carefully drape rolled puff pastry over the filling, trimming edges for a neat presentation.
  8. Finishing Touch: Brush pastry with beaten egg to achieve a glossy, golden-brown exterior.
  9. Baking and Resting: Bake for 25-30 minutes until pastry is beautifully bronzed and filling bubbles with delicious intensity. Let the pie rest 5-7 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and filling to set.

Notes

  • Pasta Perfection: Cook penne al dente to prevent mushy texture and ensure ideal pasta consistency throughout the dish.
  • Flour Finesse: Toasting flour eliminates raw taste and creates a richer, more developed sauce base with deeper flavor complexity.
  • Pastry Pro Tip: Ensure puff pastry is cold and rolled evenly to guarantee a crisp, flaky golden-brown top that provides delightful textural contrast.
  • Resting Ritual: Allowing the pie to rest after baking helps stabilize the filling, making it easier to serve and preventing runny sauce when cutting.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 540 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
Michael Rivera

Michael Rivera

Co-Founder & Culinary Instructor

Expertise

  • Classic French Cuisine
  • Artisanal Bread Baking
  • Plant-Based Culinary Innovation
  • Recipe & Menu Development
  • Interactive Online Instruction

Education

The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)

  • Program: Classic Culinary Arts
  • Focus: An intensive curriculum rooted in classical French techniques, artisanal bread production, and contemporary culinary methods.

Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking. 

Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.

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