Special Chicken Potpie Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 3-1/2 pounds), quartered
• 4 cups water
• 3 medium carrots, halved widthwise
• 2 medium onions
• 4 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, quartered
• 2 celery ribs, halved widthwise
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 
  BISCUITS:
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1-1/4 teaspoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons shortening
• 1/2 cup milk

Directions

• In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, combine the first six ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add mushrooms and celery; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until chicken and vegetables are tender.
• Remove chicken and vegetables. Debone chicken; dice and set aside. Slice vegetables and set aside. Strain broth, reserving 2 cups. (Discard remaining broth or save for another use.)
• Melt butter in a large saucepan; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in cream and reserved broth; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Add the poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, peas and reserved chicken and vegetables. Pour into a 2-qt. round baking dish. Set aside and keep warm.
• For biscuits, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk just until moistened. On a floured surface, roll to 1/2-in. thickness. Cut with a 2-1/2-in. biscuit cutter. Place biscuits over chicken mixture. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Special Chicken Potpie published in Taste of Home February/March 1997, p53