This Chicken Pot Pie Soup is a flavorful one-pot meal that can be ready in just 40 minutes! My recipe is still hearty and satisfying without adding any cream. Recipe includes a how-to video!
Pot Pie Soup Without Heavy Cream
This simple chicken pot pie soup has all the flavors of chicken pot pie, minus the pie crust. While it tastes just as flavorful and comforting as the real thing, turning pot pie into soup makes it easier and faster to get on the dinner table. There’s no rolling, crimping, or chilling, and everything comes together in one pot. What’s not to love?
Many pot pie soups recipes tend to be rich, and though my version is hearty, it’s not overly creamy or rich. It has a thinner broth so it’s not too heavy, but still very satisfying with savory undertones and plenty of fresh veggies for flavor and texture.
I love pairing this soup with a side of my easy homemade biscuits, drop biscuits, or artisan bread for the full pot pie experience, but it’s perfect on its own too!
Why you should make it:
- Takes just 40 minutes from start to finish.
- Uses easy but tasty shortcuts like rotisserie chicken and frozen veggies.
- Not too heavy or rich, so it can be enjoyed any time of year!
- One. Pot. Dinner. Need I say more?!
What You Need
Let’s highlight a few of the key ingredients you’ll find in this soup recipe:
- Chicken. Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe quick, easy, and flavorful. If you’d like, you can use my slow cooker shredded chicken instead.
- Veggies. I use frozen mixed vegetables that include peas, carrots, lima beans, and green beans. You can use just peas, carrots, and corn if you’re not a fan of beans though!
- Spices. Smoked paprika is my key secret ingredient for the perfect depth of flavor (also used in my chicken and rice soup!). It’s subtle, but it still adds a special something that you will love. I also use thyme (a classic pot pie ingredient), black pepper, and ground mustard (used in my broccoli cheddar soup!).
- Gold potatoes. Growing up, potatoes were a staple in our pot pie and so they were a must in this soup. They’re a hearty and filling addition that makes this dish a complete meal. No need to peel your potatoes before chopping (unless you want to substitute russet potatoes).
- Milk. Many pot pie soup recipes use cream, but I wanted to keep my version from being too thick and rich. Whole milk adds heartiness and creaminess without making the soup too heavy.
SAM’S TIP: Want to take your soups to the next level? Make your own chicken stock using my instant pot chicken stock recipe! This adds tons of flavor.
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make It
- Cook the onion in melted butter over medium heat until softened.
- Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir until absorbed.
- Stir in the spices and let cook for a few moments.
- Slowly drizzle in the broth while stirring to combine.
- Gradually add the milk and stir until incorporated.
- Add the vegetables and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook until the potatoes are tender.
- Stir in the shredded chicken, reduce the heat, and let simmer for 15 minutes.
- Check seasonings and serve!
SAM’S TIP: If you want to use raw chicken and let it cook in the soup, I’ve included instructions on how to do so below. Essentially you will just add the raw chicken pieces with the potatoes, remove once cooked, shred, and return to the pot.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t typically recommend freezing any of my creamy soups (like my creamy potato soup), since the dairy separates as it thaws. If this doesn’t bother you, feel free to freeze in an airtight container for several months.
This soup is actually designed to be on the thinner side. I resisted the urge to thicken the soup with cream or more flour because it would basically just be a crustless pot pie. The final result does have a thinner broth compared to the real thing, but it is still just as hearty and satisfying.
That being said, if you want your pot pie soup thicker, you could add more flour during that step, or you can stir in a cornstarch slurry at the end. Honestly though, you could really just make my chicken pot pie or turkey pot pie instead (with or without the biscuit topping).
You can stir in a batch of my homemade egg noodles (they are very easy to make!) during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Store-bought egg noodles will also work, but they will likely take longer to cook than the freshly made version.
Fun fact, my grandmother will often make pie crust noodles when she makes pot pie. In an effort to replicate the taste, I tried to make pie crust noodles and cook them into the soup. Unfortunately, I ended up essentially just dissolved an entire pie crust into the soup. It was thick and delicious, but didn’t make the final cut! 😂
Psst: I also have a creamy chicken noodle soup recipe!
This soup is just perfect as we round out these final weeks of winter and head into spring. If you’re looking for more cozy, hearty, but not too-heavy recipes, make sure to check out my white chicken chili, tuscan chicken, and cajun chicken pasta, too!
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butter
- 1 (140 g) medium yellow onion diced (about 1 cup)
- ¼ cup (31 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon dried thyme
- 4 cups (946 ml) chicken broth
- 2 cups (473 ml) whole milk
- 1 pound (455 g) gold potatoes chopped into ½” pieces (about 3 cups)
- 2 large carrots cut into coins
- 2 ½ cups (320 G) mixed frozen veggies (11 oz)
- 3 cups shredded chicken this is about 1 picked rotisserie chicken for me, or see note to substitute raw chicken meat.
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Place butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot and cook over medium heat until melted.⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butter
- Add onion and saute until softened (about 5 minutes).1 (140 g) medium yellow onion
- Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir until absorbed.¼ cup (31 g) all-purpose flour
- Add salt, pepper, smoked paprika, mustard, and thyme and stir to combine.1 teaspoon salt, ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon ground mustard, ⅛ teaspoon dried thyme
- Drizzle in chicken broth slowly, while stirring.4 cups (946 ml) chicken broth
- Gradually stir in milk and stir until well-combined.2 cups (473 ml) whole milk
- Add potatoes and carrots and frozen veggies and increase heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.1 pound (455 g) gold potatoes, 2 large carrots, 2 ½ cups (320 G) mixed frozen veggies
- Reduce heat to medium-low and add chicken. Simmer for 15 minutes or until chicken is warmed through, then serve.3 cups shredded chicken
Notes
Chicken
Feel free to substitute 1 lb of chicken breast or thighs (or a mix of both). Cut into 3” sized pieces and add to the soup with the potatoes. Cook until chicken shreds easily with a fork. I find I often need to add more salt when using raw chicken, as the rotisserie has salt in it.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
LINDA
This recipe is wonderful. It’s a new addition to my recipe collection. Thanks Sam.
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Linda! 🙂
Connie Smith
I have made this recipe several times and we love it! Due to cholesterol issues, I did a few substitutions. I use olive oil instead of butter and soy milk instead of the real thing. I also use parsnips instead of carrots, 3 or 4 stalks of celery, added with the onion and just 1/2 pound of white meat chicken. I like that it doesn’t make a huge pot of soup you are eating forever.
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Connie! Thank you for your feedback using your substitutions. 🙂
Natalye
This recipe knocked it out of the ballpark! My mom and I decided to give it a go and the entire family loved it. I would definitely make this again.
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Natalye! 🙂
Vera
My family loved this recipe! Husband said it was a keeper and my 89 year-old father said it reminded him of something his grandmother made. He had a second helping. He never has a second helping. Another hit! Thank you!
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Vera! 🙂
Rebecca Simmons
My company wants me to make this for a pot luck we’re having. How would you triple the recipe ??
Sam
Hi Rebecca! You would just need a really big pot and you would want to triple all of your ingredients. 🙂
Robin Bezanson
So yummy!!! I used fresh Thyme and added celery too. It’s a keeper! Thank you!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Robin! 🙂
Amy
We enjoyed this soup, it’s nice to add something to the line up.
I was curious if you ever substitute any portion of the whole milk for heavy cream?
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Amy! I have not tried that substitution. It will work the soup will just be a bit thicker. 🙂
Diane
I made this soup. Excellent recipe. My family really enjoyed it. I enjoy making your soup recipes. They are all very good.
Thank you for your recipes.
Diane
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Diane! 🙂
Heather Ogden
Can this be done with gluten free flour
Sam
Hi Heather! Unfortunately, I don’t have much experience using gluten free flour so I can’t say for sure how it would turn out. 🙁
Angie F
My family and I thought this was amazing! I served with biscuits and it hit every mark. Will definitely be on our rotating list.
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Angie! 🙂
Melissa
We loved the soup with some homemade biscuits. Delicious and filling.
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much! 🙂
Diane
I wanted to give this soup recipe a try but concerned if I would like it without the top crust. Well ….. followed your recipe exactly and it was GREAT! My husband loved it as well. Your recipe made it to my “will definitely make it again” recipe folder file! Thank you Sam! Thank you for taking the time to do your videos! I always watch them before I try a new recipe of yours.
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Diane! I’m glad the videos are helpful. 🙂
Erica
My husband is pretty picky when it comes to soup, and will rarely eat it for a meal-he thinks of it as a side dish…lol ….BUT, I made this for supper tonight and he enjoyed it! He even went back for seconds 😁 I don’t think I’ve made one of your recipes that we haven’t enjoyed! Keep up the good work! 💕
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Wonderful! We’re so glad it was a hit, Erica 😍
Bruce
I’m sorry to say that this soup didn’t thrill me. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it, so I don’t want to discourage anyone from making it, but for me it doesn’t measure up to your other recipes, such as your chili and beef ragu.. I wish I had used 1/3 cup of flour to make it thicker, to remind me more of chicken pot pie. What I’m going to do with it now is add 8 oz of Amish wide egg noodles, then bake it as a casserole, with Panko crumbs on top. That will make it thicker, and I think I’ll enjoy it more.
Sam
I’m glad you still gave it a try and I really do appreciate the honest feedback. 🙂
Bruce
I figured out that the crust is my favorite part of a pot pie. I like the contrast of a crunchy top with the creamy sauce, so I should have known beforehand that this soup didn’t have a chance. I made it into a casserole today, and I’ll enjoy it. What I should have done is make some pie crust croutons to eat with it, and everything might have gone differently. The good news is that I still like it, so it will definitely all get eaten.
Sam
That’s definitely understandable. I lovvvveeee the crust. Something about those carbs that I love so much! 😉 I’m glad it’s still edible. 🙂
Cathy
Thank you, Sam! I have never sent a comment to anyone about a recipe. This is one of your best! I’ll enjoy it for many years to come – perfect!
Sam
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it so much! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂
anne dunning
Loved this soup – and since I didn’t have time to make your stock, I added some of the flavor makers to my soup: celery, a small piece of bay and a squirt of fresh lemon. I don’t call that cheating or changing receipe because I was using your suggestions. The soup got many compliments and requests for the link. anne
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Anne! 🙂
Lauren
I love that you’re posting more savory recipes. Keep them coming. All of your recipes are great
Sam
Thank you so much, Lauren! I hope you love this one. 🙂