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This is my first pot pie.
Ever!
I have never eaten or made one. I know, can you believe that? Isn’t pot pie like an American standard? I think it is, but since it actually contains vegetables (peas, carrots and other veggies) and since I grew up with veggie hating brothers, pot pie was just not an option for me.
I am still not really sure I can say I have made a true pot pie since this one does not fit the typical pot pie mold.
They are creamy on the inside, right? And have things like peas and mushrooms in them? Oh and a pie crust? Am I right?
Well, these pot pies have none of those. Except the creamy party of course!
There is no peas, no carrots and no mushrooms. Although, you can definitely add those if you’d like, especially the mushrooms. I bet those would be good, but most of the people I regularly feed despise mushrooms. I have learned to love them over the years….once I got over their ugliness, and that they kind of reminded me of moldy things.
Ok, eww.
Actually, they really don’t gross me out at all any more and I kind of think they have a prettiness to them. Especially if I do not let them sit in the fridge for a week and get all slimy.
Anyway, the pot pies.
The top is not really a crust, it’s polenta and I kind of think it’s better than a pie crust. It’s cheesy and creamy and works perfect with a topping of crispy bacon and jalapeños.
These are the perfect easy weeknight dinner and they are even packed with veggies, which is just an added bonus.
Plus, the veggies cancel out all the cheese, right?
Actually (and if you’re a regular reader I’m sure you’ve heard me say this before), in my book cheese is an important part of our diet. It’s good for your teeth and bones and it’s a great source of protein and calcium with plenty of essential nutrients and vitamins, such as zinc and vitamin B, which helps fight disease. It even contains Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Sphingolipids that help to prevent cancer. It certainly has its place in the food pyramid. Hey, everything in moderation.
Plus, yesterday we did kale (and more butternut – Oops!)!
Wait, and tomorrow is Friday!
Yes.
Do this tonight…
Easy Jalapeno Chicken Chili and Cheddar Polenta Pot Pies
Ingredients
- 4-8 slices thick cut bacon
- 1 pound boneless chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 cup cubed butternut squash, pumpkin or sweet potatoes
- 2 red peppers, chopped
- 2 Jalapeño's, seeded and chopped, plus more for garnish
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained if using canned
- green onions, chopped, for serving
Polenta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup polenta, I used Bob's Red Mill
- 6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2-4 tablespoons butter, your preference
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Heat a 12-inch skillet or high sided pan over medium-high heat and cook bacon until crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Remove all but one tablespoon of bacon fat from the pan and then add 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat.Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. When the oil begins to swirl, add the seasoned chicken and saute until cooked through, about 4 minutes on the first side and 3 minutes on the second side. Remove the chicken to a plate with tongs, leaving the oil in the pan. Rest the chicken for a few minutes, and then chop into 1/2-inch cubes or shred with your hands.
- To the same pan, add the butternut squash and onions, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir and cook until the butternut squash becomes tender, about 10 minutes. Add the red pepper and jalapeños and cook another 5 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin and oregano, cook until fragrant, about 1 minute longer. Sprinkle in the flour and stir until the flour dissolves into the vegetables and juices. Add the chicken broth, tomato paste and hot sauce, raise to a simmer, stirring until thickened. Once the liquid has thickened, stir in the heavy cream and black beans. Season with salt if needed and stir the chicken back into the mixture.
- Spoon the mixture into 4-6 oven safe baking dishes or one 9 inch pie plate and place on baking sheet with sides.
- To make the polenta, pour the chicken broth and milk into a medium size saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium and slowly whisk in the polenta. Cook, stirring frequently, until the polenta is soft and beginning to thicken, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in 4 ounces cheddar cheese and butter if using, season with salt and pepper. If the polenta seems a little thick you can add a tablespoon of butter or extra milk. Spoon the polenta over the pot pie filling and then top each pie with the remaining cheddar cheese.
- Place in the oven and bake until the polenta is golden and the cheese is melted, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with the reserved crumbled bacon and green onions. EAT!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
So that tomorrow we can do dessert!
“ I have learned to love them over the years….once I got over their ugliness, and that they kind of reminded me of moldy things.” I thought you were talking about the ones you normally feed!!? I’ve learned to forgive my husband for not liking mushrooms, but one I’ll eat them all the time
Lol let me know if you give the recipe a try!
Interesting.
Do you know what the difference is between polenta and grits? One is pretentious and one isn’t.
Or as Bobby Flay has said–“you can charge a lot more for polenta on a menu”.
I actually think they are pretty much the same thing. Italians call it polenta, Southerners call them grits. I have read that you can even just buy coarse cornmeal and you are good to go!
Hope this helps and thank you!
First this being your first time making pot pies, you knocked it out of the park!! They look and sound amazinggggg!!!
Thanks Jocelyn!
Oh my! That looks delicious. You should put that on http://easyfood.tv so people can watch you make it. I bet it smells wonderful. I can’t wait to make it.
Thank you! Hope you love these!
I swear, your ideas are so simple, different, mouth-watering…I don’t know how you come up with them! I look at my frig and pantry with all of these ingredients hanging around…could I have put this together with them like you did? Of course not! Thanks so much for doing the creative thinking for my brain! I can make these, freeze them up for later (it’s just me here…), and wha-la! – and they are on the healthy side like so many of your recipes are!
Thanks so much, Karen!! I am happy to help your brain out a bit and do some thinking for you! LOL! 🙂
Hope you love these!
I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want…right now.
Gonna make this or a variation on it! I am thinking Italian pot pies with hot sausage! MMmmm!
Thanks Sophia!! Hope your turns out awesome!
I don’t discriminate against pot pie of any kind — the more untraditional the better actually. Loooveee this version.
Thanks Nicole!
I love that you topped these pot pies with polenta – such a good idea, wish I had one for dinner tonight!
Thanks so much, Laura! 🙂