A healthy version of the traditional chicken pot pie loaded with vegetables but does not contain any cream, butter or milk (Dairy-Free). Full of fresh herbs and topped with a light and flaky phyllo crust.
Who doesn’t love chicken pot pie? Like a big warm hug, I can’t think of anything more comforting.
Jump to:
My husband introduced me to Harrows Chicken Pie, a Boston area chain, back when we were dating. Hands down, it is the best chicken pie in the world filled with moist chicken, hearty potatoes and topped with a buttery, flaky pie crust worth every last calorie.
Of course, we all know I’ve never made a pie crust in my life so replicating a Harrows pie was out of the question. Instead, I’ve created my own version that is a bit lighter and made without any butter or cream. In fact, this chicken pot pie is completely dairy-free.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Phyllo dough is a perfect option! Instead of using two pie crusts, all you need are a few sheets of phyllo to top the entire dish. As my husband stated after the first bite, “The phyllo gives you just the right amount of chicken pot pie texture without any of the heavy feelings.”
Some have never heard of phyllo dough. It’s also called filo. Phyllo is an unleavened bread that is used for pastries typically. It does not contain dairy unless you brush the layers with melted butter. Instead, olive oil is used. You can find phyllo in the refrigerated section at your local supermarket. It’s typically located near the pie crusts.
While chicken is ideal, you could also use leftover turkey. You could also replace the chicken with lobster and make a lobster pot pie!
If you’ve prepared the pot pie ahead of time and froze it, I would double the cooking time to ensure it cooks through.
Recipe Substitutions / Additions:
If you don’t have parsnips in your pantry I would recommend using small potatoes instead. If you like a thicker gravy you can add more flour to the dish to thicken the gravy up.
Do yourself a favor and make a second one to freeze. You’ll thank me later, I promise.
Your fork is waiting.
📖 Recipe
Healthy Chicken Pot Pie with Phyllo Crust
Ingredients
- 2 carrots diced
- 1 parsnip diced
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage minced
- 1 teaspoon dried poultry seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons white whole wheat flour or all purpose
- 32 oz chicken broth low sodium
- 2 cups frozen green peas
- 1 rotisserie chicken skin removed & breast meat shredded. White or dark meat can be used.
- 8 sheets phyllo dough thawed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Sauté carrots, parsnip, onions and garlic in a large sauce pan sprayed with non-stick spray heated on medium. Stir frequently until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- While veggies are cooking, stir in thyme, sage, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Add flour and stir to incorporate and cook out the flour flavor, about 60 seconds.
- Pour in chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil and stir until thickened then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in green peas and shredded chicken. Check for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper accordingly.
- Pour chicken and vegetable mixture into a large baking dish.
- Add olive oil to a small bowl. Working one sheet at a time, use a brush to "paint" olive oil on phyllo dough. After each layer is brushed with oil, add on top of the baking dish to form a top crust. Continue until all eight sheets are added making sure to paint the top of the last sheet with oil.
- Use a knife to poke 2-3 slits in the phyllo crust then bake for 25-30 minutes or until phyllo is browned.
Nutrition
Want more delicious dinner ideas? Check out my Pinterest board!
Bill in Houston
I have a question about serving size. You say that your “large baking pan” serves four people and is 327 calories per serving. Are you sure that isn’t EIGHT servings? Eight layers of phyllo dough is 456 calories all by itself (57 calories per layer).
My wife made your recipe for turkey pot pie (Thanksgiving leftovers, and no parsnips, so we used a potato) and it was in a 9″ x 14″ dish. I’m a big guy and I had one big serving that was about one-eighth of the pan!
Would you please check that?
Great recipe, though!
Liz DellaCroce
GREAT catch Bill! Just revised the recipe to make it easier to understand and hopefully a bit more accurate!! Changed the servings to 8 and specified how many cups of chicken as well as verified the nutrition facts for the phyllo. :)
Bill in Houston
Thanks, Liz.
By the way, I had the pot pie for lunch the next day and it was still great after reheating!
Liz DellaCroce
Oh i’m so glad to hear that Bill!!!
Lisa
Great chicken pot pie! I did not put my filo dough out to come to room temperature in time so I made cauliflower mashed “potatoes” & topped it with those & grated cheese. Big hit with my family!
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Nova @ The High Strung
Love chicken pot pie- one of my most favourite comfort foods! Love the flaky filo topping- so delish! Can’t wait to try the recipe, thanks for sharing…
Liz DellaCroce
I hope you love it!!
Kate Berkey
I was looking for an awesome recipe for the whole family and I stumbled on this article. I read and followed the instructions carefully and I made this chicken pot pie deliciously! Every member of my family is so happy! Thanks for this!
Liz DellaCroce
That makes me so happy!!
Paula
If I freeze the recipe prior to covering it with phyllo dough, how long do I need to defrost? Or how much cooking time would I add if I put it in the oven frozen? My family absolutely LOVES this pot pie! And it’s so easy, you can easily make it during the week! I have extra turkey from Thanksgiving and want to save the pot pie for later next month when they aren’t so tired of turkey!!!!
Liz DellaCroce
I would double the cook time if starting frozen! Enjoy!!
Georgina
Hello! I’m thinking of making this for my bunco group later this month, so need to scale to feed 12 women(!). If I were to double the recipe, do you think it would fill a 9×13 baking dish? That would feed 8 based on the serving size, so I’d need to quadruple the recipe :)
Thanks!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes that would be perfect!! Great idea!
Robin
Looks like this has been posted for a while, but I just found it today. Made it for dinner, using leftover roasted chicken, potato instead of parsnip. Oh my gosh, DELICIOUS!! Thank you for sharing!
Liz DellaCroce
So happy you found it Robin!!!! One of my favorites!
Sadye
Made this last night but with Pillsbury crescent roll dough instead (grocery store didn’t have phyllo dough) and it turned out delicious! The friend and boyfriend I fed couldn’t stop raving about it. Took a bit of time to prep but well-worth it, especially since I froze it (minus the dough) and then just pulled it out for mini-dinner party without any stress.
Liz DellaCroce
So glad you enjoyed it Sadye!!!
LEE VITELLO
I also was wondering if I could use my crescent rolls. Did you keep the dough in tack and just lay it on the chicken mixture and did you change the cooking time?
Liz DellaCroce
Yes I bet that would work perfectly!
Jamie
Made this tonight. All I can say is wow! A wonder array of flavor with a light crust. Family loved it!
Liz DellaCroce
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! I need to make this for my family again!
Jackie
Hello! Do you think I could use this recipe but with lobster instead of chicken? I am making lobster pot pies for a dinner party but one guest is lactose intolerant.
Liz DellaCroce
Yes absolutely! Great idea!
The Naked Coconut
This is definitely a new favourite in my household- I made this twice this past month and it’s definitely been a hit! Thanks for the recipe<3
Liz DellaCroce
Oh I’m so thrilled you enjoy it!!
Ellen
Made this last night. Delicious and easy! My son thought there were too many peas, so I will likely decrease those next time. My daughter didn’t love the phyllo, so I might try a less-light version with puff pastry or pie crust.
Liz DellaCroce
I’m glad you enjoyed it!! So funny my boys ate almost a bag of frozen peas last night. Kids are funny. :)
Crystal
Made this today and it came out delicious! Especially wonderful since hubs and I are lactose intolerant.
Liz DellaCroce
So thrilled to hear it!!
Martha Dayton
Question: I can’t wait to make this recipe since I’m snowed in today and have three juicy baked chicken breasts just waiting to go into a pot pie. I only have puff pastry in my freezer and not a single parsnip in sight but plenty of carrots.
No potatoes are mentioned in the recipe so I’m guessing I can use at least one.
Maybe two small potatoes?
Could you tell me what size pie dish is in the photo? It looks gorgeous!
I Iust discovered your Lemon Bowl recipes and will read many more.
Liz DellaCroce
Hi Martha! You can absolutely swap out two small potatoes for the parsnips. Feel free to alter it using whatever you have on hand! The dish used in the recipe is actually a single serve ramekin but this would be perfect for a larger pan as well. Let me know how it turns out!!!
Ashley | CenterCutCook
I’m sort of ashamed to admit this, but I’ve never attempted to make chicken pot pie before. I love your lightened up version, not only because I don’t have to fuss with making pie crust, but because I won’t feel the guilt! This is beautiful Liz! Pinning and sharing on my Facebook page! :)
Liz DellaCroce
I am all about no fuss!! Thank you so much for your sweet words- it truly was a hit and perfect this time of year!!
Frani
Liz, I have little 8 LaCruset baking dishes with lids. I have never used them and was wondering if this recipe would lend itself to the little 5 ” round dishes. And would the FILO still work?what about timing? Do I use the lids?
Thank you, Frani
Liz DellaCroce
This would definitely work on a smaller level!! I would just cut the phyllo into smaller squares to fit the 5″ rounds As for baking time, should be about the same but definitely monitor it. Good luck!
Carol
At what point can this dish be frozen? I’m assuming you freeze the filling before you put the crust on top. I definitely intend to make one (who am I kidding–TWO) of these this weekend. It looks and sounds mouth-watering!!!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes exactly – freeze the filling before you put the crust on top! ENJOY!!
barb
I have used your recipe a few times. Loved the idea of using phyllo dough better than a regular pastry crust……even husband loves it. I took the veggies potatoes, carrots, onions a step further and roasted them first. Just gives a different depth of flavor.
thanks
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much! I’m a huge fan of phyllo and don’t use it enough!
Anna
Love this recipe! I stumbled upon it last winter and now it’s a seasonal staple!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much Anna! It’s one of my favorites too!! Enjoy!
Anna
I hardly ever cook but I had a bunch of chicken left over from a dinner party and I needed a recipe to use it up. This recipe was easy, pretty fast (considering I am not the swiftest around the kitchen) and so tasty. I had never used phyllo dough before so I took a guess of how to unwrap it from the box and layer it on the chicken. It all worked out great. Many thanks ..Anna.
Liz DellaCroce
That is music to my ears Anna! I’m so glad it worked out!! It is one of my favorite comfort foods and I haven’t made it in awhile..time to remedy that!
Yum
Have To thank you for this recipe. It inspired me to make a variation, but your nondairy version helped a lot. My lactose intolerant hubby is in heaven.
Liz DellaCroce
Oh I’m so glad!! I hope you enjoyed it!
Julia
That looks delicious! But doesn’t phyllo dough have butter in it?
Liz DellaCroce
No it only has dairy if you brush the layers with melted butter. Olive oil is used instead so no dairy!!
Sheena
Can you make this ahead of time and freeze it?
Jaci
Hello! Thank you for the recipe. i made this last night. It definitely took me a lot longer to make it but it was very good. My husband was a huge fan and it just felt like you were eating a yummy bowl of veggies full of amazing flavor. It wasn’t as thick as I would have liked but I guess that’s what made it healthy. i will definitely be making again and doing my prep work beforehand (shredding the chicken alone took me 10 mins). I also might have used too much oil on the phyllo- a light brushing is fine. Thanks for the recipe!!!
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you and your husband enjoyed it!! If you want a thicker gravy, you can always add more flour next time. Great idea on shredding the chicken in advance! You could even chop the veggies earlier in the week. :-)
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking
Another great and healthy recipe Liz!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much Stefanie! :)
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
Love the idea of phyllo dough for the crust – so flaky, and perfect! Great comforting meal!
Julia
I really can’t wait to try this out! It looks so delicious–love that it is a lighter version. I made your Lemony Chicken and Greens Soup last night and it was awesome. :) Loving your recipes.
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you liked that chicken soup!! Isn’t it tasty?? My mom always made it growing up – so good!
Cassie | Bake Your Day
Girl, I have been craaaaving chicken pot pie. This looks totally incredible!
Liz DellaCroce
You’ve gotta try this sista!! Honestly, I wish I had made a second to freeze – I’m already craving it again – haha.
Cookin Canuck
You know I am loving this one, Liz! Chicken pot pie always feels like such an indulgence, but this lighter version fits the “lighter eating” bill perfectly.
Liz DellaCroce
You would love this, Dara!! No cream or butter and honestly, I didn’t miss it!! It was nice to eat such a satisfying dinner without the heavy feeling. I know you agree. ;-)
Alyssa (Everyday Maven)
Just printed! You know I have been waiting for this one – I can’t wait to make it!!!
katie
I LOVE chicken pot pie and love your lighter dairy-free version!!!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you friend!! It was really fresh and light but still cozy and comforting like chicken pot pie should be. :)
Rachel Cooks
Great photo, Liz! Looks wonderful!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you friend!! Photography is not my forte so I appreciate the kind words – xoxo.
Sarah Beth
YUM! I am so making this dish this week! The picture is making my mouth water! :p
Liz DellaCroce
Please do – I just know you’ll love it!!! I made it for my family recently and everyone had seconds!! Who needs cream? :)