Yes, you can reheat a cooked chicken pie. It’s best to warm up a chicken pie that has chilled first. It should not have sat out for more than two hours. You can reheat it in an oven or microwave.
The method of your choice depends on how quickly you want your meal done. Use aluminum foil over the top of the pie so it does not cook faster than the rest. That helps the pie to be reheated all the way through. Check out the methods below and choose what is convenient for you.
Microwave
When using a microwave, reheat one slice at a time. Reheat for two minutes and see if you have to adjust. Make sure the center is not still cold. Set microwave power to a lower setting.
When the center is exposed, it becomes the easiest way to reheat. The inner parts will heat much faster than a whole uncut pie. Keep a close watch on the pie as you reheat it. You can periodically check on it or pull it out to avoid overcooking.
Avoid using high heat since it will cook from the outside. Slow and low heat allows it to cook evenly. Try sticking a knife or fork into the center of the pie for a few seconds, and remove and feel the heat level with your tongue.
Steps
- Place a piece of pie on a microwave-safe plate.
- Heat for one minute.
- Test the warmth of your filling with a knife or toothpick.
- Heat further for 30-second increments.
- Let the pot pie rest for 60 seconds before serving.
Stove
It is not ideal for those that only have a pastry topping. Cover your pie with a lid while heating it to trap heat and warm the pie from all angles. The method is better for smaller portions and small, individual pot pies encased in pastry.
The stove is ideal for heating bigger portions and full pies but will not retain their crispy pastry. If your filling spills out in the pan, keep a close eye on it to avoid burning. Keep the heat low to avoid overcooking (Healthline.com).
Steps
- Place a pan on your stove over medium heat.
- Use a non-stick pan and coat lightly with non-stick spray.
- Place a piece of your pie in the pan.
- Cover with a lid and warm for 5 minutes or until heated to the center.
- Serve immediately.
Air fryer
Use a small baking dish to prevent the mess from sauce and crumbs in the fryer basket. You can line your fryer basket with parchment paper or foil as an alternative. That avoids too much mess and makes lifting your pie out of the basket easier.
Before serving your pie, test the internal temperature of the filling with a knife or toothpick. Note that the pastry will heat up quickly, which can be misleading. The air fryer is handy.
This method is effective, fast, and convenient but not ideal for bigger portions. It makes the pastry lovely and crispy. Do not use low heat because you will end up with a cold filling.
Steps
- Set your air fryer to 300°F.
- Place a portion of a cooked chicken pie in a small baking dish. Smaller portions do not risk the pastry burning before the middle is hot.
- Cover the cut edges of the pie with foil to prevent filling spillage.
- Place the baking dish in your fryer basket.
- Heat for 3-5 minutes or until the filling warms to the center.
- Serve.
Best method
Oven
The oven is the best way to reheat a cooked chicken pie. Warm your oven to 250 degrees and cook for 15 minutes. Cover the pie with foil to stop direct heat cooking and allow it to build up within the dish. The oven heats your pie evenly with a crispy top, and you can do multiple portions at once.
Covering your pie with foil prevents it from browning. Keep the heat low, and it helps the filling warm up before the pastry dries out. Reduce reheating time by zapping your pie in the microwave for 60 seconds before placing it in the oven.
Room temperature pie does not take time to warm up, unlike a pie straight out of the fridge. Ovens work better as a microwave alternative(Homestratophere.com). Insert the tip of a knife into the middle to test the temperature. However, this method takes a bit of time, but the result is worth the wait.
Steps
- Set the temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Reheat for 10 – 20 minutes or until the center has become hot.
- Reheat chicken pie in an aluminum pie pan or the original dish.
- Cover pie with foil to prevent the crust from burning.
- Serve when satisfied.
Storage
It is best to eat leftover meat within three days. Do not let the cooked chicken sit out for too long if you plan to save it. The longer it sits at room temperature, the more chances for bacteria to grow. Chicken pie lasts three days once it has been refrigerated.
Store leftover chicken pie in the freezer for more extended periods. Wrap the chicken pie tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to three months.
Safe Temperatures
The preheat temperature for a cooked chicken pie is 160 degrees. You can still go slightly above. Measure the inner temperature halfway through cooking using a thermometer.
If the temperature has reached 140 degrees or above, you can turn down the oven and continue to cook until the crust is done.
FAQs
Can you reheat a Chicken Pie twice?
Yes, you can reheat a cooked chicken pie two times. Reheating it more than that makes it riskier. The more times you try to reheat a chicken pie, the harder it will become. The outer crust will start to dry out and overcook. The inside becomes harder to heat up.
Can you freeze a cooked Chicken pie?
Yes, you can reheat a cooked chicken pie, but it takes longer. You can either thaw your meat pie first or bake from frozen. Thawing it out first will make reheating easier. It takes less time, and you can easily undercook a frozen pie. However, thawing the chicken pie for too long makes the crust soggy.
How can I defrost frozen Chicken pie?
To defrost frozen chicken pie, remove it from the freezer and set it on a plate or baking sheet. Allow it to thaw slowly at room temperature for about 4 hours.